Rubber stripping on middle of side doors for ding protection

[mcreasy]

I was wondering if there was a proper way to put on the rubber stripping for ding protection and if it needed to be glued in place? Thanks Mary 230sl "67"

[reggie]

Mary, have a look at my photo's, Mine have metal strips, With rubber inserts, Dont think there mercedes part's though, I may be wrong.
Reg

[Jordan]

Hi Mary, no the strips do not need to be glued, and shouldn't be.  The rubber will probably be very stiff and a bugger to get into the slot.  Best to put the strips in some hot water to soften it up.  I had to reinsert the strips at the back end and the hot water really helped.  Fingers will probably get a little raw depending on how much you have to install.  You can try inserting one end and then sliding it in as you pull it along.  This didn't work for me however, as the screws got in the way.  Good luck.
Cheers
Marcus

[Garry]

Like Marcus said, they should not be glued and heating them first is a big help.  They need to be cut to size, heated with boiling water or the like and then one side fitted in first (preferably the top) then with a very blunt instrument, like the back end of a small tea spoon, carefully press the lower edge in to the slot.  I used a screwdriver that i had that was very blunt and rounded so that it did not mark or damage the rubber. I think Millers and the Mercedes Centre in CA have the rubber in one long piece that you cut to size
It's a slow and labour intensive job but not necessarily hard if you are using new rubber and warm it first.
Garry

[66andBlue]

I am reviving this topic because I need to install new strips and want to cut them correctly.
Should the ends of these rubber strips be cut at an angle or straight?
I have read somewhere that only the ends at the fender lips should be be angled but those in the center should be straight as shown in the photo.
Is that correct? Who knows the answer?

[49er]

Hello Alfred, Here are pictures of mine. They are original.

John

[66andBlue]

Thanks John!
Please help me with orientation; are we looking at the strips on the driver site only?

[Jonny B]

Alfred, I went to look at the ones on my 280 SL, and very difficult to get a good picture of. They appear to be formed to fit each section and not cut. Perhaps the original ones were a set but the replacement are from roll stock that need to be cut. I am around this week and next if you want to come take a look. Much easier.

[49er]

Thanks John!
Please help me with orientation; are we looking at the strips on the driver site only?

Driver's side, front (1st picture) to back (last picture). I can get some close ups later on today.

John

[ja17]

Yes, the angles vary depending on the location. After cutting I use a bench mounted, cloth buffing wheel  and compound, on the angle cuts to soften the edges, giving it the original molded look.  Alfred, I saved all the original ones off your 230SL, so you could have a pattern for cutting the new ones.

[66andBlue]

Thanks Joe!
Since I do not have a cloth buffing wheel here I experimented with a heat gun and it seems to work also.
When the ends started to melt or kind of glace over I used my finger (wearing blue nitrile gloves) and smoothed the edges.
Here is a photo of my test piece.

[TJMart]

I installed mine a few years back and remember to cut it a bit longer and compress the rubber as much as possible when installing it to prevent the rubber from shrinking with age and leaving a gap.

Good luck!

Tony

[RobSirg]

Tony/Joe/Alfred,

Some great ideas here - I'll be sure to save this page when I get around to this job - one of the few enjoyable tasks I can do myself.

Interesting about the shrinkage with age - I was almost certain the strips on my blue car are original ( they are hard as a rock) but they are a little short all around. That might explain it.

Thanks again

Rob