Should this trim be glued down?

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Sep 15, 2017 | 06:06 PM

eddieo45

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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA

me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV

Should this trim be glued down?

Sep 15, 2017 | 07:21 PM

Yidney

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2008 CLK550 Cab

I assume you are asking if it was glued from the factory as opposed to whether you should glue it now. It is not glued from the factory. Is it is a bad design. That trim is plastic, but has actual chrome plating with the copper base coat. So if it flexes much it cracks the chrome. It is held on by little hooked tabs every few inches that fit into fairly crude slots in the bumper. So it fits kind of loose, especially at the ends. So a rag while washing can catch it. Those pieces are impossible to remove without ruining then - the tabs snap off. Your only option is to try some sort of adhesive or replace it. Since it is bent, an adhesive will be tough. It will want to pull away.

Sep 17, 2017 | 12:44 PM

Kustom1911

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Joined: Mar 2012

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From: Central Michigan

(2) 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK500, (2) 2005 ML500, SL500

Yidney is correct, bent plastic is tricky. Might try a heat gun to help restore original shape. The best pro body attachment tape is 3M part # 03609, you can trim to correct size with scissors, IIRC a roll is around $ 6. Good Luck.

Sep 17, 2017 | 04:00 PM

Fatz

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From: Atlanta Metro

2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier

You can put a small piece of plastic or wood, that is not thicker than the part of the molding it must rest in, before heating it to straighten it. If you place this small piece at the center of the bend, between the bent piece and the outer molded piece of course, you should be able to bend it closer to being straight. (If you use plastic, make sure it is very hard so it does not melt when using the heat gun.)

If the 3M tape doesn't hold it (preferred), you could use a small spot of JB-Weld at the end. You should arrange for overnight pressure to that point before applying so the JB-Weld cures with little outward pressure on the now bent molding insert.

Sep 25, 2017 | 07:16 PM

eteller

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2009 CLK 350

I had the same probleem when I bought my car, careful application of Gorillia glue fixed it, glue then tape down for a while. Note, Gorilla glue foams so keep an eye on it or remove any excess with an Xacto knife.

Oct 27, 2018 | 10:41 AM

eddieo45

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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA

me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV

well, after living with this problem for a year or so, the car wash yanked about 20 inches of the chrome trim off the bumper. I retrieved the broken piece, but it seems to be more trouble than it's worth to try to reattach it. I believe it's part #2098850621, with an aftermarket part MB1147111 available. After a little digging around I discovered that the left side part numbers are 2098850521/MB1146111 but does anyone know the part number for the center piece?

Last edited by eddieo45; Oct 27, 2018 at 10:42 AM. Reason: yanked