How to replace individual letter nameplates?
 

How does Mercedes install the late model separate character nameplates such as "TURBODIESEL" or "S500"? I got a replacement set from the dealer and the letters are just stuck on a backer sheet. Just peeling them off and sticking them on the body free hand would result in a poor job. Even putting a strip of tape on the face of the letters and then removing the backer sheet won't work since even on the backer sheet the letters don't line up perfect. Does Mercedes use some kind of jig to install the letters correctly?

Yes, each model since they started the individual letters (93? 94?)
have their own individual jigs for applying them. They are not a mandatory tool though (not automatically shipped tot he dealer like some tools) so you may have a hard time locating the one for your car. I have often contemplated buying them just as a collectors item.

I usually do it using the tape method as you mentioned, but just put them on very lightly so I can "perfect" them before pressing them down hard, this usually gives good results. If the car has been painted, you should try to take a few measurements before hand, or use a tracing of the area for orientation. If there has been no repaint, you can take off the numbers, polish then wax-strip the area and still usually see where the letters/numbers originally were.

Gilly