Now I know how which is magic.
Anybody know how to replace aluminum door trim?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Anybody know how to replace aluminum door trim?
I got a set of wood door trim and I planned on installing it when I installed moleskin on my doors, but I don't see how to get the original aluminum door trim off the door panel. I did a search and didn't find any instructions (just that it was a PITA). Has anybody done this? How do you do it?
While I have your attention, if anybody has wood dash and console pieces they want to sell ('05 C230K, brown burl wood), I might be interested in them.
Thanks!
While I have your attention, if anybody has wood dash and console pieces they want to sell ('05 C230K, brown burl wood), I might be interested in them.
Thanks!
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I don't know how to do this but & do remember seeing a special tool in the catalogue that looks like a round end kitchen knife - LOL.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Thanks, Glyn. I do appreciate the reply, but I have to say that may be the first post from you where I didn't learn anything useful! 
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 475
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From: Tampa/Lutz, FL.
Correction, Drove An '05 C230 Kompressor SS
Step One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jz696uWxPk
Step Two:
Take a small flat head screw driver and bend up one of the two tabs on each round aluminum retaining ring pressed against the plastic posts (4 or 5 clips on each aluminum panels)....... Or, Take the small screw driver and insert the end inside the Aluminum retaining clip, Spin the clip counter clockwise while pulling up, The clip will create a thread and come off with ease.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jz696uWxPk
Step Two:
Take a small flat head screw driver and bend up one of the two tabs on each round aluminum retaining ring pressed against the plastic posts (4 or 5 clips on each aluminum panels)....... Or, Take the small screw driver and insert the end inside the Aluminum retaining clip, Spin the clip counter clockwise while pulling up, The clip will create a thread and come off with ease.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
THANK YOU!! That worked. It wasn't easy but it was embarrassingly straightforward. I did it slightly differently - I used needle nosed pliers to the same effect.
Thanks also for the video. I had already done one door but watching that sort of made it call come together.
Thanks also for the video. I had already done one door but watching that sort of made it call come together.
Last edited by ncmudbug; Dec 28, 2011 at 11:29 PM. Reason: added the comment on the video.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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Thread Starter
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Funny... I prefer the wood - maybe it's from the old classic sports cars like Jaguar (and my Lotus) that have wood dashes, or maybe it's because it looks more expensive. My wife prefers the aluminum because she thinks it looks sporty (even though she really doesn't care much about sports or sporty cars. She wishes her '06 C230 was bigger so she could haul around more stuff.)
Now I have to find the rest of the pieces (or go with peel and stick
). I'm actually considering that since they have the pieces that surround the window switches (I think those are always aluminum. Maybe somebody can correct me if I'm wrong.) and I'd like wood (look) there, too.
Thanks for the picture of the tool, Glyn. I have no idea how you would use it!
Now I have to find the rest of the pieces (or go with peel and stick
). I'm actually considering that since they have the pieces that surround the window switches (I think those are always aluminum. Maybe somebody can correct me if I'm wrong.) and I'd like wood (look) there, too.Thanks for the picture of the tool, Glyn. I have no idea how you would use it!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I don't mind the dark wood finish in the 2007 W203 but still prefer aluminum.. it is the "sportier" option. I've never liked wood (at least not in a car 
) but Benz wood is least offensive I've seen.
) but Benz wood is least offensive I've seen.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
It's amazing what they sell fake wood (actually, you can actually get real wood peel and stick) to cover - the edge of the instrument surround, the vent surrounds, glove box latch, the overhead light module... It just gets ridiculous. I don't want to go crazy, but I thought "wood" around the window switches might look nice in addition to the normal places in the console and around the A/C controls and buttons.
I prefer a lighter color with a burl grain (see the not-so-great picture of the dash of my Lotus in "my garage"). I think it makes the grain "pop", but the dark brown with the burl grain I have looks nice, too.
There is a sticker on the underside of the wood trim that says "Laurel". Would that be the color or the identifying name?
There is a sticker on the underside of the wood trim that says "Laurel". Would that be the color or the identifying name?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 1
From: Tampa/Lutz, FL.
Correction, Drove An '05 C230 Kompressor SS
THANK YOU!! That worked. It wasn't easy but it was embarrassingly straightforward. I did it slightly differently - I used needle nosed pliers to the same effect.
Thanks also for the video. I had already done one door but watching that sort of made it call come together.
Thanks also for the video. I had already done one door but watching that sort of made it call come together.
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 147
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05 C230K Sport
I don't like the aluminum or the wood. I tried my hand at 3m dinoc black carbon fiber print. came out good on the center, still have to do the door trim. I'm happy with it. there was a thread about it. I don't remember the title.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Did you do the door handles? They were a serious pain in the *** to do, with the curves. The heat gun I used was a godsend.
Don't forget to post pics when done.
Don't forget to post pics when done.
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 147
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05 C230K Sport
no, at least not yet. I'm not sure how much I can do without it looking over done. I'm gonna do all the aluminum and then wait a while before doing more. let it sink in a lil bit. I would love to post some pics but I don't have a computer and it's not very iPhone friendly.
