SL/R230 Top cover trim - MBWorld.org Forums

Mar 11, 2017 | 04:42 PM

desertfox330

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 19

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2004 500SL

Top cover trim

Hi,

Just got my first MB a short while ago and must say really am enjoying the 2004 500SL.

Just trying to keep up with the small little things. I noticed that the material on the front edge of the top cover is coming loose. Anybody done this fix, have any advice or can recommend a good type of glue to fix this.

Also noticed that on a few of the other adjacent trim pieces have some small bubbling. Any advice on fixing this. The bubbling is not too bad yet, just would like to take care of it before it gets worse.

Of course one of my hinged cover flaps is completely missing. Other then buying new from MB, would anyone have an idea where I can source a new part new or used. Not much on ebay

Thanks so much

Markus

Mar 11, 2017 | 11:11 PM

Rudeney

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NO LONGER ACTIVE

Those hinge covers are a common problem. At this point, the only fix is to but a whole new panel. It's about $200.

Mar 12, 2017 | 08:21 AM

desertfox330

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 19

Likes: 2

2004 500SL

Thanks Rodney,

I guess then best to get directly from MB for the flap. Any idea on the best material to use to re glue the material on the top cover

Mar 12, 2017 | 11:44 AM

Rudeney

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I would use a contact cement to repair the covering. Something like Goop shoe and boot repair should work.

Mar 12, 2017 | 12:02 PM

Heatwave

Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 451

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2007 E350; 2018 GLE350

Interior trim repair

Upholstery and trim work contact adhesive is what you need. Check at AutoZone, O'Reilly's, Amazon Prime, etc., for such products. Good luck with the project.

Mar 12, 2017 | 01:17 PM

Rudeney

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Joined: Dec 2009

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NO LONGER ACTIVE

The only problem with upholstery adhesive is that it usually comes in a spray. For small, tight-space work, I prefer a tube of liquid. A few things I like about Goop B&G is that it's inexpensive, dries mostly clear, and if you do make a mess, it's easy to peel off the excess after it dries, yet it still adheres very strongly. I actually used it as a temporary repair on the seam of the canvas top on my CLK before I could replace it. I've also used on the covering o the door panels on the C240 that came loose - it's lasted for years there.

Mar 12, 2017 | 01:33 PM

Heatwave

Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 451

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2007 E350; 2018 GLE350

Wanna avoid spray contact adhesive

I concur with Rodney about avoiding spray contact adhesive. I've used a 3M upholstery adhesive ... a tube product ... to reattach a small bit of the covering on the main sundeck panel on my R230. You gotta have your work planned out because once you touch the two pieces together ... they bond instantly. You need to figure out ahead of time whether the work will need clips or other devices to hold the work together while the adhesive cures ... but it's gonna stick instantly. Be ready.

In my case, I had good success using a portion of the plastic clamping strip used on plastic binders for school papers (and such). I cut the strip to the length of the repair I was making, applied 3M (tube) adhesive to the underside of the sundeck leading edge and to the upholstery material that had come loose, folded the material over and under the deck edge and quickly slipped the clamping strip onto the work. And, fortunately, I didn't glue the clamping strip to the sundeck.

Worked.