SL/R230: Dashboard Leather Help
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 57
13 GL350, 14 SL550
I would pull the center vent unit, then take to an upholstery shop and have them repair it.
Normally I would do this kind of stuff on my own, but if your glue doesn't hold, you'll end up replacing the dash. You only get one shot at this.
Pull the vent and get them to properly stretch the leather a bit and glue it so it will hold. It will likely be a permanent fix (or at least many, many years before it pulls out again)
Normally I would do this kind of stuff on my own, but if your glue doesn't hold, you'll end up replacing the dash. You only get one shot at this.
Pull the vent and get them to properly stretch the leather a bit and glue it so it will hold. It will likely be a permanent fix (or at least many, many years before it pulls out again)
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 238
Likes: 16
From: Chandler, AZ
2003 SL500, 2016 ATS, 2016 CTS 2015 Volt
I would pull the center vent unit, then take to an upholstery shop and have them repair it.
Normally I would do this kind of stuff on my own, but if your glue doesn't hold, you'll end up replacing the dash. You only get one shot at this.
Pull the vent and get them to properly stretch the leather a bit and glue it so it will hold. It will likely be a permanent fix (or at least many, many years before it pulls out again)
Normally I would do this kind of stuff on my own, but if your glue doesn't hold, you'll end up replacing the dash. You only get one shot at this.
Pull the vent and get them to properly stretch the leather a bit and glue it so it will hold. It will likely be a permanent fix (or at least many, many years before it pulls out again)
I just assumed it was padded vinyl with fake stitching. Mine sure doesn't feel like leather.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 57
13 GL350, 14 SL550
You are right, it's vinyl (MB tex possible) and not leather.
I know in the W221 S Class a full leather dash is available, but I think only on the S600 (or was it S65?) Not sure if that applies to the SL also, but it would likely not be a leather dash unless you have an SL600.
So yes, it's vinyl but my answer is still the same. I'd have them stretch and glue it.
Weird that this happened, because I always thought the vinyl was wrapped around the corner a bit (1/2" maybe?) so it seems to have shrunken quite a bit. I suspect someone cut or tore it. When you pull the items from your dash to have it repaired, I wonder if you'll find that it's just a major cut in the vinyl, rather than the actual edge of the vinyl that you are seeing.
I know in the W221 S Class a full leather dash is available, but I think only on the S600 (or was it S65?) Not sure if that applies to the SL also, but it would likely not be a leather dash unless you have an SL600.
So yes, it's vinyl but my answer is still the same. I'd have them stretch and glue it.
Weird that this happened, because I always thought the vinyl was wrapped around the corner a bit (1/2" maybe?) so it seems to have shrunken quite a bit. I suspect someone cut or tore it. When you pull the items from your dash to have it repaired, I wonder if you'll find that it's just a major cut in the vinyl, rather than the actual edge of the vinyl that you are seeing.
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 238
Likes: 16
From: Chandler, AZ
2003 SL500, 2016 ATS, 2016 CTS 2015 Volt
You are right, it's vinyl (MB tex possible) and not leather.
I know in the W221 S Class a full leather dash is available, but I think only on the S600 (or was it S65?) Not sure if that applies to the SL also, but it would likely not be a leather dash unless you have an SL600.
So yes, it's vinyl but my answer is still the same. I'd have them stretch and glue it.
Weird that this happened, because I always thought the vinyl was wrapped around the corner a bit (1/2" maybe?) so it seems to have shrunken quite a bit. I suspect someone cut or tore it. When you pull the items from your dash to have it repaired, I wonder if you'll find that it's just a major cut in the vinyl, rather than the actual edge of the vinyl that you are seeing.
I know in the W221 S Class a full leather dash is available, but I think only on the S600 (or was it S65?) Not sure if that applies to the SL also, but it would likely not be a leather dash unless you have an SL600.
So yes, it's vinyl but my answer is still the same. I'd have them stretch and glue it.
Weird that this happened, because I always thought the vinyl was wrapped around the corner a bit (1/2" maybe?) so it seems to have shrunken quite a bit. I suspect someone cut or tore it. When you pull the items from your dash to have it repaired, I wonder if you'll find that it's just a major cut in the vinyl, rather than the actual edge of the vinyl that you are seeing.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 185
Likes: 3
From: Norway
SL 55 and a GT 3000 vr4 Here's my car: http://home.online.no/~ludvs/index.cfm
Just a small info about the leather trim in the sl 55.
If you got the exclusive leather package, then you'll got real leather everywhere, including the dashboard and even the roll bar.
If you got the exclusive leather package, then you'll got real leather everywhere, including the dashboard and even the roll bar.
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 238
Likes: 16
From: Chandler, AZ
2003 SL500, 2016 ATS, 2016 CTS 2015 Volt
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Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,537
Likes: 3,670
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Our SL600 had Napa leather everywhere (no MB-tex); same on the S65 and Designo interiors. Our SL55 didn't but as mentioned, exclusive leather packages would be leather as well not sure if it would be Nappa or regular leather.
Either way, the repair options are similar. I would try stretching it first if it feels loose after removal of the vent cover. I would go to a specialist though, having it done wrong would be an eyesore!
Either way, the repair options are similar. I would try stretching it first if it feels loose after removal of the vent cover. I would go to a specialist though, having it done wrong would be an eyesore!
Last edited by Wolfman; Jun 8, 2015 at 04:14 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 172
Likes: 17
--sold Sl55--
Guys, does anyone have any advice on how to clean the non-seat surfaces in our cars? I understand that everything in my SL55 other than seats should be MB-Tex? (What about the armrests?) Trying to figure out how to keep my ash interior clean.
