Greetings all! I have searched the forums and 'net for the past 3 days trying to figure out the best way to restore my Palmino MBtex door panels. They are in excellent condition, except for the air bubbles that are starting to appear. I'm assuming either the adhesive is losing it's grip or the material is just stretched out from heat and age.

Anyway, I would like to "spruce" them up and tighten the MBtex if possible, so my questions are:

1. Can the door panels be removed and then re-wrapped or have the adhesive reapplied (I am totally relying on the assumption that there is, in fact, adhesive)?

2. I was thinking that maybe a low viscosity adhesive applied through a syringe might be injected into the voids and allow for re-application. Does this sound reasonable?

3. Does anyone have techniques and/or methods used to tighten the "fabric" up?

Thanks in advance.

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I don't know about the center part, but the out side(smooth part) vinyl can be pulled smooth and re-glued around the edges if you take the panel off. Mine was starting to wrinkle like that so when I had the panel off I pulled it tight and glued it back down to the cardboard.

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

why don`t you pick up some at a junk yard and experiment with them? I have seen some really good ones from time to time,

everything gets saggy with time get use to it

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

You mean to tell me that they're not supposed to look that way? mmm...

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

I think the last door panels on 123s where not as problamatic for the wrinkling problem Either that or they experienced less aging. Grabbed spares at auto wreckers from the last versions of the 123s. They remain super tight as well. Depends on the wreckers of course. I paid five dollars a panel in palimino at that time. Still kick myself for parts I did not bother to get.

I dont think they are continuously glued just at the seams. The wrinkles imho is from the vinyl expanding.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.