Jun 4, 2015, 08:06 PM
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Removing the Interior Wood Trim
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Removing the Interior Wood Trim
Does anyone know how I can successfully remove the wood trim along the dash and especially on the side of the doors?
Ever since I saw Ashman's interior, I would like to do it like his and I cant seem to figure it out. I got the center console part because thats a piece of cake. Well I haven't tried the top part where the AC buttons and what not are. LOL Anyways, any help is very much appreciated, I would like to do it this coming weekend if I can get the help.
Ever since I saw Ashman's interior, I would like to do it like his and I cant seem to figure it out. I got the center console part because thats a piece of cake. Well I haven't tried the top part where the AC buttons and what not are. LOL Anyways, any help is very much appreciated, I would like to do it this coming weekend if I can get the help.
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From: Bay Area
Top part w/ AC buttons: There's two inverted screws above the radio. That's all that holds this piece of wood on.
Dash: A bit of a PITA because the fastening nuts are behind the dash. You might be able to do it by removing the instrument cluster, air vents, underdash panels and what not to access the nuts. Or you could just remove the whole dash.
Doors: Remove the door panels, and you'll see that the nuts that hold the wood to the doors.
Dash: A bit of a PITA because the fastening nuts are behind the dash. You might be able to do it by removing the instrument cluster, air vents, underdash panels and what not to access the nuts. Or you could just remove the whole dash.
Doors: Remove the door panels, and you'll see that the nuts that hold the wood to the doors.
Thread Starter
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
I didn't think the dash and doors would be that complicated. Makes me have doubts now if I want to go about vinyling the wood now. I always thought the wood was glued on, so thats why i asked.
Thanks Aaron nonetheless, greaet first post.
Thanks Aaron nonetheless, greaet first post.
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Sounds good to me Ash, Yeah...I'm way to lazy to tear off the wood and vinyl it. So hey, by the way...how long of a sheet do you think I need? think 3 feet would do?
I hope decal vinyl will work. haha unless you use a different type.
I hope decal vinyl will work. haha unless you use a different type.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Manchester, CT
Right on then ... 
cheaper than buying new or re-finishing.
Also looks cool IMO (if you have a black interior) if you take off the wood veneer and polish the metal backing plates smooth.
cheaper than buying new or re-finishing.Also looks cool IMO (if you have a black interior) if you take off the wood veneer and polish the metal backing plates smooth.
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Thread Starter
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
yeah exactly, best bang for your buck. 
Its crazy how expensive it is for a new or refinishing. Plus, I'm young, so I don't need the wood trim.
As of right now, my interior is grey...it should look nice especially of its CF.
Its crazy how expensive it is for a new or refinishing. Plus, I'm young, so I don't need the wood trim. As of right now, my interior is grey...it should look nice especially of its CF.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Sherman Oaks
2004 C240, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
Everyone likes things different.
Me The wood is classy, but I prefer sporty, and the vinyl is a very cheap easy way to get a sporty look without ruining the wood below it. Thats the best part. You can always change the vinyl as it is not permanent.
Don't get me wrong the wood is nice, but on a car that looks like mine, the wood just doesnt; cut it for the feel and look I have.
Ashman
Me The wood is classy, but I prefer sporty, and the vinyl is a very cheap easy way to get a sporty look without ruining the wood below it. Thats the best part. You can always change the vinyl as it is not permanent.
Don't get me wrong the wood is nice, but on a car that looks like mine, the wood just doesnt; cut it for the feel and look I have.
Ashman
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W124's
What's up everyone. I'm completely done with the center part of the interior. I took some pictures but I'll take some more tomorrow when there is light out. It looks pretty good.
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W124's
I'm finally done!
Here's the before and after. I might just do it again and make it better next time around. Because I will know what to expect then.
Before:
After:
I'm happy, what do you guys think?
Here's the before and after. I might just do it again and make it better next time around. Because I will know what to expect then.
Before:
After:
I'm happy, what do you guys think?
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From: Sherman Oaks
2004 C240, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
looks good. looks like what mine looked like before I added the carbon accents
Remember it may be easier to apply like window tint. use a soapy solution of water and dishwasher soap, spray the wood and the piece, then you can position it and squeegee out the bubbles.
AshMan
Remember it may be easier to apply like window tint. use a soapy solution of water and dishwasher soap, spray the wood and the piece, then you can position it and squeegee out the bubbles.
AshMan
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Thanks for the tip ashman. Hmm...where could I get some Silver Window Tint? LOL
I think I might buy some more and do the doors over. Since one or two doors have bubbles in them.
Which pretty much sucks but its not bothering me yet. My side is flawless. How exactly did you put the vinyl on the trim thats on the dash and doors?
Also, Since I see you're from Beverly Hills, are you going to attend the Socal AMG Owners meet?
I think I might buy some more and do the doors over. Since one or two doors have bubbles in them.
Which pretty much sucks but its not bothering me yet. My side is flawless. How exactly did you put the vinyl on the trim thats on the dash and doors? Also, Since I see you're from Beverly Hills, are you going to attend the Socal AMG Owners meet?
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Sherman Oaks
2004 C240, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
I dunno if I will attend.
I used a soapy solution, lightly soapy, and I applied it. I then pushed it into the edges and then trimmed it. then let it dry. did the same for the ashtray and the rest.
Made it easy to get the bubbles out with it being wet and soapy. You applyt he vinyl the same way as window tint is applied. wet with a soapy solution on both parts, get it in place, trim, and squeegee out the bubbles. Learned that from my friend who does window tinting.
Ashman
I used a soapy solution, lightly soapy, and I applied it. I then pushed it into the edges and then trimmed it. then let it dry. did the same for the ashtray and the rest.
Made it easy to get the bubbles out with it being wet and soapy. You applyt he vinyl the same way as window tint is applied. wet with a soapy solution on both parts, get it in place, trim, and squeegee out the bubbles. Learned that from my friend who does window tinting.
Ashman
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Lockport, IL
'95 3.2 M104
CHRIS.....how did you took off these wood panels on your dash? ...And in order to take off wood panels on the doors - do I have to reassembly the whole trim panels? I'm going thru dilema .... - Thanks -
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
LOL...there's a secret. I didn't take off the wood panels on the doors or the dash.
Just cut out the vinyl a little bit bigger length and height wise so it completely covers the doors and what not.
Place it over the wood and make it all smooth and what not then tuck in the vinyl or whatever your using with a sharp edge and then razor it out. I found that the easiest way. I hope that helps.
Just cut out the vinyl a little bit bigger length and height wise so it completely covers the doors and what not.
Place it over the wood and make it all smooth and what not then tuck in the vinyl or whatever your using with a sharp edge and then razor it out. I found that the easiest way. I hope that helps.
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Miami, FL
ex 300E driver
I had the "carbon fiber" overlay in my 300E and got a lot of compliments. I installed the vinyl overlay and added a clear coat product to add "depth" to it. I was not a fan of the zebrano wood in my car, I was going for an overall "sporty" look for my W124, so the wood had to go [well sort of 
].
Pics of the console, notice the high gloss.
].Pics of the console, notice the high gloss.
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From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
Ugh, I dunno...it's only my opinion, but Silver on a grey interior was the wrong choice. There is no contrast anymore and it looks like an airplane ****pit now. I would just go nuts with all the bubbles and imperfections in the vinyl, not to mention adding the fact that the CF in the other pics is so obviously fake.
Painting is still the best route IMO, as for the dash pieces just those in vinyl wouldn't look too bad with the rest painted...
my $0.02
Painting is still the best route IMO, as for the dash pieces just those in vinyl wouldn't look too bad with the rest painted...
my $0.02
