SL-Class (R129) 1990-2002: SL 280, SL 300, SL 320, SL 500, SL 600, SL 60 AMG

SL/R129: Door Trim

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Old Mar 13, 2021 | 09:21 PM
  #1  
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From: Orange County
1999 SL500
Door Trim

Hi guys,

Do you know of a SEM vinyl paint color to touch up around the seat adjuster and how to replace or clean the mesh cloth on the speakers on the inside door panels.

I don’t really want to take the door panel off.

Thanks in advance.

p
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Old Mar 13, 2021 | 11:09 PM
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You can clean the cloth with a regular spray on cleaner with water and reattach it to the speaker grill frame with the brush on type of contact cement and a few clothes pins.

Masking off the seat controller surface might be difficult and prepping for paint might be a little tough while it's still mounted.

If it were me, I'd take it off the door panel and go to NAPA where they will custom match the paint and put it in a spray can for about $25.

The upper grill doesn't come off the door panel without grinding away it's melt attachment points.
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Old Mar 13, 2021 | 11:37 PM
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From: Orange County
1999 SL500
Originally Posted by mahunt
You can clean the cloth with a regular spray on cleaner with water and reattach it to the speaker grill frame with the brush on type of contact cement and a few clothes pins.

Masking off the seat controller surface might be difficult and prepping for paint might be a little tough while it's still mounted.

If it were me, I'd take it off the door panel and go to NAPA where they will custom match the paint and put it in a spray can for about $25.

The upper grill doesn't come off the door panel without grinding away it's melt attachment points.
Great ideas Mahunt! I will definitely try.
Thank you
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Old Mar 14, 2021 | 07:14 PM
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From: Riverside, CA
1999 SL600
you can easily clean both cloths with a good cleaning spray and brush, then use a microfiber to wipe up the foam quickly. No removal from door necessary
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Old Mar 14, 2021 | 08:12 PM
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From: Orange County
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Originally Posted by sushipaste
you can easily clean both cloths with a good cleaning spray and brush, then use a microfiber to wipe up the foam quickly. No removal from door necessary
Any particular cleaner?
Thanks Sushipaste
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Old Mar 14, 2021 | 11:53 PM
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I usually use the carpet cleaner Resolve.

The big speaker grill removes from the door panel with one screw. Then you unclip the door light and its free with a slide forward.

The small speaker grill doesn't detach from the door panel without grinding away the melt keepers. You'll have to clean and fix that grill in place unless you want to grind away the melt keepers and switch to small screws to reattach.

Do not scrub the speaker fabric with anything harsher than a wet sponge. Let the Resolve do most of the work (read the directions on the bottle).

From the backside you'll be able so see how the small grill and seat controls attach and then decide what to do about paint and repair.

If you've never removed a R129 door panel, there are plenty of videos on the Internet.

Let us know how it goes.

Cleaning the small grill will require removal of the door panel as there is a danger of soaking the tweeter and you will probably have to get to the backside of the grill to repair the pulled away fabric.
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Old Mar 20, 2021 | 12:57 PM
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I cleaned the speaker grill mesh yesterday using Resolve suggested by Mahunt. I sprayed Resolve on to the fabric without directly spraying on the speaker. I used a damp sponge to go over the speaker with the excess from the parts I sprayed and let it soak for 5 min. Then I took a damp microfiber towel and gently brushed the whole area. I rinsed the towel and went over it again 3 times.

Here are some pics. I will clean again today.


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Old Mar 22, 2021 | 11:46 PM
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That's looking better.

Resolve is a wonderful product for soiled car interiors. It does a great job on the carpeted portion of the door sills too. Just carefully remove the door sills, spray with Resolve and after 5 minutes you can rinse them clean with a hose. You wouldn't believe how black the runoff is. It usually take 2 treatments before they rinse clean.

Did you just tuck the loose grill material or did you re-glue it on the backside?

Tell me you took the lower speaker grill off to clean and repair.
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Old Mar 23, 2021 | 12:29 AM
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From: Orange County
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Originally Posted by mahunt
That's looking better.

Resolve is a wonderful product for soiled car interiors. It does a great job on the carpeted portion of the door sills too. Just carefully remove the door sills, spray with Resolve and after 5 minutes you can rinse them clean with a hose. You wouldn't believe how black the runoff is. It usually take 2 treatments before they rinse clean.

Did you just tuck the loose grill material or did you re-glue it on the backside?

Tell me you took the lower speaker grill off to clean and repair.
I tried the door sills the same day. I need a little more elbow grease lol. I will try cleaning it again.

I didn’t reglue the mesh yet. I just tucked it in for now. What glue do I use? Also, I didn’t take the lower speaker off. I just cleaned it while it was on the door lol.
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Old Mar 23, 2021 | 08:29 AM
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Weldwood Contact Cement 3 oz bottle with brush inside the cap. Follow the instructions on the bottle and use VERY sparingly. It only takes a little as the glue is very strong.

When you open the door, a light shines down to illuminate your entry. Next to the light is 1 (one) chrome screw. Remove the screw and jostle the lower speaker cover toward the front of the car to remove. You have to disengage about 5 sliding tabs before the cover releases then poke the door light (or unplug it) from the grill. You can do a much better job cleaning and repairing the speaker cover with it removed. You don't have to remove the door panel to remove the lower speaker cover. It's just ONE screw.

You will also be able to view the door woofer for water damage with the grill removed.

The door sill is retained by 2 (if I remember correctly) cap covered screws and one push pin. It then pries up, start at the front and be careful at the back. To clean the sill properly, it should be removed. With the sill up you can easily remove the front pinch weld fuzzy cover for cleaning as well. It's usually as dirty as the carpet. Don't worry about the rear pinch weld cover unless you want to remove the rear convertible end cap.
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Old Mar 23, 2021 | 09:58 AM
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From: Orange County
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Originally Posted by mahunt
Weldwood Contact Cement 3 oz bottle with brush inside the cap. Follow the instructions on the bottle and use VERY sparingly. It only takes a little as the glue is very strong.

When you open the door, a light shines down to illuminate your entry. Next to the light is 1 (one) chrome screw. Remove the screw and jostle the lower speaker cover toward the front of the car to remove. You have to disengage about 5 sliding tabs before the cover releases then poke the door light (or unplug it) from the grill. You can do a much better job cleaning and repairing the speaker cover with it removed. You don't have to remove the door panel to remove the lower speaker cover. It's just ONE screw.

You will also be able to view the door woofer for water damage with the grill removed.

The door sill is retained by 2 (if I remember correctly) cap covered screws and one push pin. It then pries up, start at the front and be careful at the back. To clean the sill properly, it should be removed. With the sill up you can easily remove the front pinch weld fuzzy cover for cleaning as well. It's usually as dirty as the carpet. Don't worry about the rear pinch weld cover unless you want to remove the rear convertible end cap.
Thank you so much!
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