installing door panels

[Joe]

I recently purchased new door panel hardboards from Bud's Benz. After gluing on my vinyl, I am unable to get the panels to fit. They just do not go into the chrome channels far enough. Is there a trick to this?
Joe

[Cees Klumper]

One trick used for covering the dash with new material is to shave/sand some off the surface to be glued onto (cardboard in your case).

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[n/a]

Hopefully your new boards are properly sized, otherwise you may have to peel and trim as Cees suggests. Here is what I did

1) carefully trim any vinyl folds from the rear of the panel, such that the perimeter has no thick spots of "double layer" vinyl

2) cleaned (compressed air and rags) inside the doors then lubed (white lithium grease) all friction points on each actuator mechanism

3) replaced the clear plastic sheet (essential for water protection)  using silicon caulk to attach/glue. I left a 3/4" aluminum border exposed around the outer edge (where door panel goes)

4) very slightly enlarged the chrome surround with some very careful screwdriver prying all around

5) some soap bubbles on the edges as lubricant and a 2" plastic drywall/spackle blade to coax things in

6) a full cup of coffee and alot of patience!

Mike McMahon, Baltimore MD
1970 280SL 4-speed manual
olive green ext, bamboo int

[graphic66]

Check that the door handles are tight also. It can be frustrating to get the door all back together and have a loose door handle. Also check those pesky guide jaws on the windows for tightness and position. You may want to install a guide jaw modification kit.

[jeffc280sl]

The bottom edge of the door panel board is shaved so that the vinyl or leather material will seat in the bottom chrome channel.  If you mount the material on the wrong side of the door panel you will have trouble getting it to fit.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[J. Huber]

It sounds to me like Joe is saying the door panel is not quite big enough to fit in the chrome channels. Shaving, etc would be for those that are too big.

My panels do the same thing at the bottom (don't tuck all the way into the channel) -- but in my case they are originals and I think they have bowed over time. Joe, is your cardboard flat or bowed at all?

James
63 230SL

[Joe]

My old panels were very bowed. In fact they were not even in the front and rear channels, because the centers had come out so far. I suspect the absence of plastic sheeting was contributory.
The new panels appear to be too big. However, if I can get them pushed into the channels further, and I think I can with the excellent advice tendered so far, then they should fit just fine. I didn't notice any sort of angle on the edges, and just mounted them with the smooth side out. Tonight when I get home, I'll see if I got lucky and glued the vinyl on the correct side.
Your advice is greatly appreciated.
Joe

[J. Huber]

Hi Joe. Thanks for the clarification. Having them big leaves some hope for a final trim. Good luck.


James
63 230SL