MB500

One other route is to go to the manufacturer of the actual unit. I am not sure who makes the current ones (maybe Alpine?) but the ones on W211 were made by Becker. I was able to get a brand new fascia complete with buttons directly from Becker for less than $100. Does anyone know who actually makes head unit for our W212s?

RSIKR

If you scrape gently at that curdled material with a fingernail (NO TOOLS) does it come off or is the plastic damaged.

If it comes off I would try to remove it mechanically before resorting to any chemicals.

If it's superficial it's not a big deal.

Before I would pay for a new panel it would be worth trying to find a restoration company. There are companies that perform fire, flood etc restorations for insurance companies. Not necessarily an automobile restorer.

Good luck. Let us know.

CEB

The coating is irreparably damaged and the only solution is replacement. The buttons themselves are probably not damaged but they look horrible.

It isn't residue nor can it be restored.

While in this case it was caused by an awful smelling air freshener, similar damage - on a smaller scale - comes from makeup, bug repellent or body lotion - basically any oily substance. Minor damage - one button peeling for example - is sometimes covered under goodwill by the dealer but here it is obvious that something dripped on the buttons and is virtually identical to the damage referenced in the TSB.

This might be covered under the comp portion of your insurance.

Too bad that the buttons can't be swapped out. Good luck and please keep us posted.

As far as air fresheners are concerned a "fridge box" of baking soda under the seat works well.

K-A

Damn, never thought about baking soda! That keeps the car odor free I take it?

CEB

Correct. It sucks up odors. In damp climates you can also use a tin of desiccant.

ttoE550

I haven't bought baking Soda in a long time, but my house service puts it in the fridge and freezers. Seems to work. Anyway, they now sell it so you can pull off part of the box to expose a fine mesh screen that keeps the baking soda from spilling. That would work well in a car.

I hadn't thought of putting that in the car too, but I will Definitely have it done.

BM2BZ

you can even put baking soda in closets or cabinets or whatever you can think of. that little thing is cheap but works great.

bradshaw46

O/P here - thanks everybody who chimed in.

Unfortunately, it's not residue - its the actual buttons themselves that are screwed up, as one of the posters said. I checked for new head units as well - $4k retail, $3270 online, and havent yet found one on eBay since I checked there too. I'm inclined to go the insurance route and see if I can work with a dealer to get the unit replaced. The other idea someone mentioned, going back to the unit manufacturer, might get a shot from me as well.

*Still* kicking myself every time I look at it, but I'll live -there's worse things that could have happened. I'll keep everyone posted on how this turns out.

BM2BZ

brad, there are a few used units on ebay. try type in "w212 unit" or "w212 comand" and you'll see them.

mutiny22183

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-11-12-M...ca21fe&vxp=mtr

Will that work for you? Only $785! (I'm not the seller)

BM2BZ

yes, that's one of them i saw and there are a few more. however, if you look at op's pic and the unit on ebay closely, op needs another piece right below.

mutiny22183

Yeah, you're right..I found another one on ebay that might work for Op
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-E-W...item4ab6df54bf

The unit is from Latvia, not sure if it's compatible, and it doesn't have a button for rear window shade...

BM2BZ

that's right. i wonder if op can can just the bottom half from dealer .

soylives

I'm having the same problem. The "laminate" is peeling on the 7 and 8 keys to expose the white button underneath. I've seen kits online that tell me to completely remove the flaking laminate cover and replace with a new decal. Anyone ever heard of them being an improvement to a crappy looking dash?

Update- talked to Don in West Texas who makes decals. He is the owner. Seems like a nice guy. He doesn't have a kit for the w212 yet, but he is working on it. He knows there is a market for it.

www.controlbuttonrenu.com

Email sales@controlbuttonrenu.com and hopefully there will be a fix late spring 2014 at a price point around $60.

ronny22

Hi guys am from the UK and I have been looking for something that will repair the scratch i have on one of my buttons (fast forward button) I obviously don't have any warranty as that's long gone expired. I tried controlbuttonrenu but the guy refunded my money as he doesn't sell outside of the US

Can any one help or be able to tell me where to look or what to do
does anyone know what paint the button is? i could by maybe paint over it and try and do the repair myself

Please Guys HELP!