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Coverlay dash cover before & after photos - 190D W201
My 190D had 2 major and 3 minor cracks in its dash, and I wanted to fix them. I read about the Coverlay dash cover, but I really didn't know if it would look good, or if it would look like a horrible quick-fix. I couldn't find a single photo anywhere showing what it looked like after installation.
I decided to give it a try anyway, so I ordered one from Performance Products. I finally got around to installing it yesterday, so I thought I'd post the photos so that other people can see what it looks like... My general experience was that it looks really good when it is finished. Unless you know what to look for, you'd never suspect that it was there. Of course, I've only had it for 24 hours, so I'll have to see how it lasts long-term. Unfortunately, the installation process was more difficult than I had expected. For some reason, the dash cover (or my dash) was just slightly bowed in such a way that if you got the drivers side of the coverlay pressed in nicely, the passenger side poked out horizontally (towards the back of the car) about 1/2" and vice versa. If you got both sides pressed in, then the center of the dash cover (by the windshield) would bulge up. The instructions mentioned trimming the edges, however none of the edges were tight - the problem was more that the cover was very slightly distorted relative to the dash. Applying pressure everywhere would still get it to fit, so that's what I ended up doing. I was able to get it fully wedged into place everywhere while the glue dried, and once I removed the bricks, wedges, tape and phone books I had on it overnight, it seems to be fixed in place nicely. They recommend only using 7 or 8 small spots of glue, but I had to use 10 so that it was tight and wasn't bulging anywhere. The front of the cover (right by the windshield) kept popping up, so to get it to stay in place, I wedged small towels between the windshield and the dash - that worked well (but don't push too hard or the windshield could break). On the 190 (W201), the coverlay permanently covers the front speakers (it just has a bunch of holes drilled in it over top of where the speakers are located), so before installing it, I also replaced the front speakers. I thought this would be a good idea, since I'll never be able to access them again. I left the original speaker grilles out, since they aren't necessary and would just block the sound. So far, there are no rattles or squeaks as a result of installing the dash cover. Hopefully it lasts through the summer heat...
__________________
1989 250TD Wagon 5-speed, 160,000mi ::: Dark gray metallic / black cloth 1984 190D-2.2 5-speed, 287,000mi ::: Silver-blue metallic / black MB-tex ::: SOLD |
#2
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'Before' photo #1
Here's a crack before...
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1989 250TD Wagon 5-speed, 160,000mi ::: Dark gray metallic / black cloth 1984 190D-2.2 5-speed, 287,000mi ::: Silver-blue metallic / black MB-tex ::: SOLD |
#3
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'After' photo #1
and here is the same area after...
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1989 250TD Wagon 5-speed, 160,000mi ::: Dark gray metallic / black cloth 1984 190D-2.2 5-speed, 287,000mi ::: Silver-blue metallic / black MB-tex ::: SOLD |
#4
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'Before' photo #2
The center of the dash before...
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1989 250TD Wagon 5-speed, 160,000mi ::: Dark gray metallic / black cloth 1984 190D-2.2 5-speed, 287,000mi ::: Silver-blue metallic / black MB-tex ::: SOLD |
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'After' photo #2
and after...
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1989 250TD Wagon 5-speed, 160,000mi ::: Dark gray metallic / black cloth 1984 190D-2.2 5-speed, 287,000mi ::: Silver-blue metallic / black MB-tex ::: SOLD |
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Thanks for posting those pics. I've been thinking about a dash cover for my 240 but was afraid it'd end up looking like cheap contact paper. Your's looks really nice. Was there much disassembly of the dash required?
Cheers, Peter |
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Good before and after - I never think to do anything like that. Coverlay is a good product, and only the discrinating eye can catch The cap I put on the 123 was a snap - the 126 cap needed a lot of trimming and fitting before a good fit was made. It's very important to get that dry fit perfect for good results.
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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif 15 VW Passat TDI 00 E420 98 E300 DT 97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME! 97 S500 97 E300D 86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D 86 300SDL (o\|/o) |
#8
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Quote:
1) Take a razor knife and cut off the raised edges of the existing cracks 2) Sand the dash with sandpaper. 3) Clean the dash and the bottom of the dash cover with ammonia-based window cleaner 4) Remove the speaker grilles if necessary 5) Test the cover to make sure it fits. Plan out where you'll need glue and how you'll hold the cover in place while the glue dries 6) Apply 6 or 7 dime-size drops of glue around the edges of the dash (clear silicone is supplied with the coverlay). 7) Put the dash cover on, wedge it in place somehow (phone books, tape, bricks, towels - careful not to scratch it) and wait for the glue to dry That's it. As I mentioned earlier, step 5 was the hardest for me for some reason. Overall, it's not that hard - it took about 90 minutes from start to finish.
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1989 250TD Wagon 5-speed, 160,000mi ::: Dark gray metallic / black cloth 1984 190D-2.2 5-speed, 287,000mi ::: Silver-blue metallic / black MB-tex ::: SOLD |
#9
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Excellent tips/writeup/pictures! I've been contemplating this also, but have been worried about the speakers. I really don't like losing access to the speakers, and I was wondering if they are removable on the other models (W116 mainly)
John '79 300SD (2) |
#10
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came out nice.
so you were able to glue the area that had the buldge? i have a 190e also. how much was the cover? and was that mail order? thanks for the picture rich
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88 300E White, sold 9-04 88 190E Black 2.3 sold 90 300CE White, Grey sold 12-24-04 92 400E White,Grey Sold 5-06 90 300CE 91K Signal Red,Black Sold 2007 1989 300CE Smoke silver,Tan Sold 1-08 1993 300E 3.2 M104 motor 1991 300CE White,Grey 1994 E420 beautiful car,gone to new home 1994 E320 Smoke an Parchment.Beautiful car |
#11
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Thanks for this- I have been contemplating a coverlay for the blue dash in my 84 300TD (the blue is notorious for cracking for some reason, maybe the dye or something)- it now looks like the surface of the moon, one of these will really make a big difference, now that I see how good yours looks.
-JAS |
#12
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Could you post pics of the front speaker areaa? I want to see if it's mod-able so that you can still have access to the speakers.
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1983 240D www.againsttcpa.com www.hydrogenaudio.org www.ntfs.org |
#13
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Sounds like there are a whole lotta cracked dash owners out there, but corn is the only guy willing to fix his....:p
I've been contemplating a cover as well, and noticed the holes where the speaker grills should be. I've already put in new speakers, so that's not a problem. Did you notice that the sound was diminished? Even with new speakers, a 116 SD needs all the volume it can get. Also, is there a ACC sensor on your dash? If so, was the fit decent? Thanks for the pictures!
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TClanton 1980 450SL 90K 1980 300SD 112K |
#14
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Check around with different vendors. The one I purchased from JC Whitney some years back had cutouts at the speakers. You could remove the speaker and the cover install the coverlay and put the speaker and cover back. This helped to hold the ends down. If the car has a dash sensor, a cutout for it is normally provided. In any case, the dry fit is critical to a good result.
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N. Hodges 1994 S350 1987 300 SDL (for sale) |
#15
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coverlay are amazing
I discovered just the other day my new to me 300D has a dash cap. Took me several months to realize this. When I bought the car for $550, I thought I was real lucky and got an EXCELLENT dash. Recently I saw some Hot glue near the instrament cluster. Closer inspection revealed it was from where the dashcap was cemented on.
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"If anyone knows other lessons I need to learn, please tell me. I'm tired of learning them the hard way". by JerryBro The Glow Plug Wait: This waiting period is a moment of silence to pay honor to Rudolph Diesel. The longer you own your diesel the more honor you will give him". by SD Blue My normal daily life; either SNAFUed- Situation Normal... All Fouled Up, or FUBARed- Fouled Up Beyond All Repair 62 UNIMOG Camper w/617 Turbo, 85 300SD daily driver- both powered by blended UCO fuels |
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