Aluminum vs. Plastic Trim?
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Midwest
2015 C 300
Aluminum vs. Plastic Trim?
Does anyone have a definitive answer on what trim / switches are aluminum vs. plastic? An MB video talks about "aluminum trim vents" and the owners manual says that the trim is "mostly" made of aluminum, but I've read on here that some parts are plastic. Anyone know for sure what is what?
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Joined: Sep 2014
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From: UK (South West)
2015 C220 AMG Line Bluetech.
I think you will find that is "metallised" (coated) plastic. On another post, the correspondent refers to true metal switches, becoming discoloured, over time, so this process being the most suitable, as it gives you the "cold feel" of metal, without the downside....
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
Whatever it is, it is a very convincing aluminum or stainless steel looking material. It may actually be a coated plastic, but it doesn't look or feel like plastic.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Whatever it is it is moulded & not machined if you look at Vic's steering wheel shots. Metallised plastic (ABS) would be my guess.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Midwest
2015 C 300
Is "metalisied plastic" 100% plastic or a combination of both? MB makes it clear some is genuine metal, and to my eye all the trim (excluding buttons) all appear to be the same material, so my guess is that it's all real aluminum. Pretty impressive! Even much more expensive cars only have plastic.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Metallised plastic is a plastic moulding that has been metal sprayed. If you look at Vic's steering wheel thread you can clearly see that the stylised horn ring is clearly a moulding right down to the date stamp. So it's either a plastic moulding or an aluminium casting/moulding. Whatever the base material it has then been coated with the final finish. It's not plated & shows no signs of electropolishing either.
Sorry ~ I don't have a car to go & check. We have one so far in the family & I will check next time it's around.
Sorry ~ I don't have a car to go & check. We have one so far in the family & I will check next time it's around.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jan 1, 2015 at 10:51 AM.
