Hello,
This might be my first post, but hopefully a good one! I removed the dash and console. I took pictures of almost every step in the process - including which screws go where, and then stripped the dash and console. I followed the SLK home page disassemble process, but found it lacking in some parts, which led me to take over 80 pics of the removal of the dash, glove box, and console.
When I bought my car it had the dreaded peeling paint. I quickly found this site and followed the peeling paint threads. I always thought that just taking the paint off would be great, but not until I found the thread about the Latex paint remover available at Home Depot did I venture this endeavor.
The Latex paint remover worked great. I put it in a regular spray bottle and soaked a paper towel that had been laid over the piece (to keep it from running or evaporating). However, I was concerned about the plastic-chrome trim rings being discolored from the chemical so I experimented with SOAKING a paper towel with tap water. I let it sit for an hour (half that works) and found the H2O to be VERY effective. I used the water method on on every flat piece I could after that. In fact, if my pool was warmer, I would have soaked the parts in it.
In my mind, the bits that have been exposed to sunlight gave up the paint easily. Some of the hidden areas seemed a bit more stingy, and I had to revert back to the paint remover.
I also spent a considerable amount of time gluing broken bits (PO was apparently an idiot and had an aftermarket cd changer installed - there was no extra charge for breaking lots of tabs and fasteners).
So attached are some before and after pics. I may also try and post the removal process as this was very tricky and time consuming to track down threads, links and dead links. Having a picture of each step made putting it back together VERY palatable.
I left the U shaped piece under the steering wheel it's native color for two reasons. 1. To remind me how much I hated it the old way (someone at MB interiors should be subject to a class action suit) 2. I figured it might be hard to tell the difference between the before and after, and it kind of is. The reaction that I had, and that I get is that the interior just looks the way it is supposed to. It does not jump out at you, but for lack of a better term feels very "classy."
A note of caution, the glove box door lock is not covered the way the rest of the interior is, so I have to to spray it with a semi-gloss black. I tried the latex remover on it at first...do not do this, leave it be.
If you are thinking of doing this, go and do it...you will thank yourself!
Joe
This might be my first post, but hopefully a good one! I removed the dash and console. I took pictures of almost every step in the process - including which screws go where, and then stripped the dash and console. I followed the SLK home page disassemble process, but found it lacking in some parts, which led me to take over 80 pics of the removal of the dash, glove box, and console.
When I bought my car it had the dreaded peeling paint. I quickly found this site and followed the peeling paint threads. I always thought that just taking the paint off would be great, but not until I found the thread about the Latex paint remover available at Home Depot did I venture this endeavor.
The Latex paint remover worked great. I put it in a regular spray bottle and soaked a paper towel that had been laid over the piece (to keep it from running or evaporating). However, I was concerned about the plastic-chrome trim rings being discolored from the chemical so I experimented with SOAKING a paper towel with tap water. I let it sit for an hour (half that works) and found the H2O to be VERY effective. I used the water method on on every flat piece I could after that. In fact, if my pool was warmer, I would have soaked the parts in it.
In my mind, the bits that have been exposed to sunlight gave up the paint easily. Some of the hidden areas seemed a bit more stingy, and I had to revert back to the paint remover.
I also spent a considerable amount of time gluing broken bits (PO was apparently an idiot and had an aftermarket cd changer installed - there was no extra charge for breaking lots of tabs and fasteners).
So attached are some before and after pics. I may also try and post the removal process as this was very tricky and time consuming to track down threads, links and dead links. Having a picture of each step made putting it back together VERY palatable.
I left the U shaped piece under the steering wheel it's native color for two reasons. 1. To remind me how much I hated it the old way (someone at MB interiors should be subject to a class action suit) 2. I figured it might be hard to tell the difference between the before and after, and it kind of is. The reaction that I had, and that I get is that the interior just looks the way it is supposed to. It does not jump out at you, but for lack of a better term feels very "classy."
A note of caution, the glove box door lock is not covered the way the rest of the interior is, so I have to to spray it with a semi-gloss black. I tried the latex remover on it at first...do not do this, leave it be.
If you are thinking of doing this, go and do it...you will thank yourself!
Joe
