mschirmer

The gloss black exterior trim strips on the lower edges of the side glass on my '09 GL320 are starting to deteriorate. One has formed some bubbles under the plastic film, and another is starting to delaminate. It appears that strips are made of a rigid aluminum or plastic L-shaped strip with an applied (adhesive) gloss black strip.

Has anyone else observed this problem? I'm sure for many $ I can get new strips from MB - which will probably fail the same way in another 3 years! I noticed in 2010, they were changed to chrome - any chance these are more durable? I expect the "chrome" is just an applied plastic film as well - not the "real" stuff.

alx

Yup. I have seen this in multiple occasions.

Also the rear doors are developing rust under the paint at the door edges.

xxGenericSNxx

Yep it's possible to swap out the six trim pieces from gloss black to aluminum (not chrome). The aluminum's much more durable- I haven't observed any issues on MBs with this trim.

Another option you can consider is to flake the rest of the clear coat off and have it wrapped in 3M gloss black vinyl. This would be the most affordable solution (if warranty doesn't cover you getting a new black trim) and looks close enough.

If I were you, I'd get warranty to cover it and then worry about it in three years.

newyorktoLA

I have the "chrome" aluminum ones on my 2010 GL350...However, mine are also deteriorating at 69,000 miles. The material seems to be peeling and the aluminum also looks VERY water spotted when the sun hits it at certain angles. They seem to be more durable than the black trim, but you are right...atleast on the GL, the chrome aluminum ones are also "fake." They spot easily and peel just like the black ones...It's interesting because the same phenomenon isn't happening on my E class or S class, but then again, those are German builds while the GL is not. I went to the dealer and saw the same peeling/spotting issues on 2011 and 2012 GL's as well

captivabenz

Same issue I reported some time ago on my 07 320 cdi. Clear plastic film flakes off and leaves dull black plastic trim. Once all the film is removed it doesn't look as bad as half on/half off.
Cosmetic issue only...

Walker34

I had the same problem on my 09 GL and the dealer replaced under warranty.

Walker34

I had the same problem on my 09 GL and the dealer replaced under warranty.

vntgspd

I just replaced the last of mine last month. If you are out of warranty, shop online for the part and install it yourself. It literally took me 10 minutes to install and that included cleaning out the area underneath the trim before installing the new trim.

The S and E class trim is anodized so it holds up better but also will begin to fade to a brown/copper color (especially in direct sunlight).

N_Jay

Wonder if applying a UV protectant, maybe something like a headlamp refinishing product can ward off the failure of the finish?

mschirmer

Did you find an on-line source that had all the pieces? - I can only find the rear quarter strips on-line.

bselph

Please let us know where to find the complete set as my 08 is doing the same thing. Is it someone like www.rmeuropean.com?
Thanks!

vntgspd

I bought mine from parts.com which is just a network of dealers offering online discounts through a single website. I ordered the quarter trim so did not run into the problem you are seeing.

You can search online for the part number (google?) or call the dealer then plug the number into the search field on parts.com and it should come up.

new555

When I try to remove the clear laminate, it's coming off in pieces. Anyone know of a good way to do that? I have tried a hair dryer, but still it comes off in slivers. Looks terrible.

N_Jay

One guy I talked to used credit card (I guess a plastic scraper would work) to scrape it off.

You might have to wait for it to get bad before you can make it better.

dubledad

It's a real pain in the butt as the film slivers into pieces..... I had to use an exacto knife point to start the corners repeatedly and pull a sliver at a time.

I assume that to replace that you can just pry up the thin backing plate that is sticky back adhered to the rubber molding? Just work it off, clean and reapply the new?

Dealer replaced one under warranty and now, of course, all the other five are out of warranty and look like crap.

Anyone come up with OEM part numbers to post?

BlownV8

This looks to be a good option.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-2012-Me...b021aa&vxp=mtr