Rear "D pillar" panel clearcoat
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 731
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From: 30-A
2024 AMG G63, 2023 Bentley GTC Speed
Rear "D pillar" panel clearcoat
The clearcoat on the black rear panels on my 2001 ML320 Sport have begun to crack and peel. Any suggestions on a good replacement source, other than the dealer?
Thanks,
John
Thanks,
John
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From: New England
2001 ML 430
Rear pilar external clearcoat
I have exactly the same problem. During the severe winter we had, scraping the ice off the back appears to have damaged this clear coat. It is flaking off now in the affected area.
I was thinking of taking it in to have that fixed with some of the chips I got last winter on the front hood. Body shop? My dealer farms this type of work out anyway.
I was thinking of taking it in to have that fixed with some of the chips I got last winter on the front hood. Body shop? My dealer farms this type of work out anyway.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 731
Likes: 23
From: 30-A
2024 AMG G63, 2023 Bentley GTC Speed
Originally Posted by N1PRJ
I have exactly the same problem. During the severe winter we had, scraping the ice off the back appears to have damaged this clear coat. It is flaking off now in the affected area.
I was thinking of taking it in to have that fixed with some of the chips I got last winter on the front hood. Body shop? My dealer farms this type of work out anyway.
I was thinking of taking it in to have that fixed with some of the chips I got last winter on the front hood. Body shop? My dealer farms this type of work out anyway.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 538
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From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
There's nothing to replacing them. Like was mentioned, they are just glued on, easy to cut off, easy to put the new ones on.
The best bet for you is probably to have a dealer do it, less hassle.
The best bet for you is probably to have a dealer do it, less hassle.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 33
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From: New England
2001 ML 430
Rear D pillar clearcoat
ML GOD 
– Oh Great exalted one - I bow to your superior experience – I cower in your presence - How much do these things cost to have replaced?
Would a body shop where I see many MBs be better ($$) than the dealership (much further away)?
– Oh Great exalted one - I bow to your superior experience – I cower in your presence - How much do these things cost to have replaced?Would a body shop where I see many MBs be better ($$) than the dealership (much further away)?
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Originally Posted by N1PRJ
ML GOD – Oh Great exalted one - I bow to your superior experience – I cower in your presence - How much do these things cost to have replaced?
Would a body shop where I see many MBs be better ($$) than the dealership (much further away)?
– Oh Great exalted one - I bow to your superior experience – I cower in your presence - How much do these things cost to have replaced?Would a body shop where I see many MBs be better ($$) than the dealership (much further away)?
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From: Michigan
1997 E320 2000 ML430
Originally Posted by ML God
The D Pillars are not that expensive...I think they are $60 each. with 1/2 labor each...Where they get you is the damn urtheane The kit is $120 it must be magic urthane...Any Glass company can do the job...they use that stuff
What is "magic urthane"? I need to replace one of mine due to it cracking. I thought the part came with double sided tape already attached. Also, I think the part is more like $80.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
[QUOTE=ML God]
For my money, the MB adhesive is important for glass, but not for installing these simple covers. Any urethane will work, just make sure they use something that will stick to plastic, otherwise it may fall off!
The kit is $120 it must be magic urthane
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Joined: Dec 2003
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[QUOTE=mbbodytech]
For my money, the MB adhesive is important for glass, but not for installing these simple covers. Any urethane will work, just make sure they use something that will stick to plastic, otherwise it may fall off!
Yep your correct...but when we replace them at work that is all we have so thats what we charge...any urethane will work
Originally Posted by ML God
For my money, the MB adhesive is important for glass, but not for installing these simple covers. Any urethane will work, just make sure they use something that will stick to plastic, otherwise it may fall off!
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From: New England
2001 ML 430
Clear coat pealing
I tried to take a picture of what is happening. If the picture comes through - is it just a matter of applying a new coat of urethane? Or does the whole thing need to be replaced.
Also, I not that the top of the panel is lose on both sides of the car. It appears tight at the base, but you can pull the top away from the car a few cm.
Also, I not that the top of the panel is lose on both sides of the car. It appears tight at the base, but you can pull the top away from the car a few cm.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 196
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From: Maryland
2000 ML430
Originally Posted by N1PRJ
I tried to take a picture of what is happening. If the picture comes through - is it just a matter of applying a new coat of urethane? Or does the whole thing need to be replaced.
Also, I not that the top of the panel is lose on both sides of the car. It appears tight at the base, but you can pull the top away from the car a few cm.
Also, I not that the top of the panel is lose on both sides of the car. It appears tight at the base, but you can pull the top away from the car a few cm.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: New England
2001 ML 430
D pilar pealing
What do you mean urethane? I can pull the top of these plastic pieces away from the car. What it looks like underneath is double-stick foam tape. They both are still tight at the bottom, but I would think the highway wind along the car would be pulling both of these things away from the car at the top, they are so easy to move up there.
Still, even $60 is a grunt-load for a piece of stupid, glossy plastic; never mind a premium for some special glue (that doesn't seem to hold past 3-4 years).
Still, even $60 is a grunt-load for a piece of stupid, glossy plastic; never mind a premium for some special glue (that doesn't seem to hold past 3-4 years).
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2005
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Part Numbers for "D" Pillars
Does anyone know the part numbers for the left and right "D" pillars. The dealer wants $300/each to replace them.
I don't know how "magic" the adhesive at the dealer is, one of mine fell off a year after the dealer replaced it after it cracked. (They refused to replace it for free.)
Thanks in advance.
I don't know how "magic" the adhesive at the dealer is, one of mine fell off a year after the dealer replaced it after it cracked. (They refused to replace it for free.)
Thanks in advance.
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 86
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From: Michigan
1997 E320 2000 ML430
Can someone explain how to use the urethane on these panels when they already come with two face foam tape?
glljr, I am thinking that improper surface prep may be the cause why yours fell off
glljr, I am thinking that improper surface prep may be the cause why yours fell off
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Originally Posted by JLLG
Can someone explain how to use the urethane on these panels when they already come with two face foam tape?
glljr, I am thinking that improper surface prep may be the cause why yours fell off
glljr, I am thinking that improper surface prep may be the cause why yours fell off
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1
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From: N.C.
2002 ML 320
Urethane gun??
Originally Posted by ML God
Thats why the urthane is so expensive becasue it is designed to fit in the MBZ urethane gun. Dealer cost on the gun is $1600
So, do I need to invest in a urethane gun? Have any of those questioning this now made this repair themselves? I've got the same problem, and the peeling is really starting to get just plain ugly!
Thanks!
-Daniel
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 152
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From: Chesapeake, Virginia
'11 C300
"D" pillar came off - again!
I have had the right side reaffixed twice by the dealer. Once under warranty because it was peeling and again three years later for free because they "fixed" it the first time and it flew off on the freeway and disappeared. Got back from a short trip this morning and the left side pillar was barely hanging on! Anyone used a special adhesive and done this themselves? Name of the adhesive? I know if I take it to the dealer they will want a couple hundred dollars to fix it since they haven't touched this side.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 353
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From: SOCAL
E500 & ML500
I have had the right side reaffixed twice by the dealer. Once under warranty because it was peeling and again three years later for free because they "fixed" it the first time and it flew off on the freeway and disappeared. Got back from a short trip this morning and the left side pillar was barely hanging on! Anyone used a special adhesive and done this themselves? Name of the adhesive? I know if I take it to the dealer they will want a couple hundred dollars to fix it since they haven't touched this side.
Here is a pic for reference
Hope that helps
