W123 Carpet Install DIY Pictorial - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TheDon · #1 03-25-2008, 09:34 PM

Interested in installing a different colour interior or replacing the old carpets? Well here is the definitive thread on installing certain interior pieces related to the carpets and the technique to do the install

Tools/Materials needed

Rubber Mallet
Small paint brushes
small paint container
1 can of contact cement(DAP Weldwood works great and can be found at Lowes in the paint section)
Paint stirring stick
Flat head screw driver to open can
Phillips head screw driver

3/8" drive socket
extensions
10mm socket
17mm socket

The carpet and interior you wish to install

important items

Make sure you have all of your carpet that you wish to install.. Moving onto the DIY.

Step 1 : Remove the front seats. Use your 10mm socket and longest extension to remove them. Note The drivers side has a plug that is for the seatbelt sensor. If you forget to undo it, it will either unplug itself when you remove the seat.. or break

this is it unplugged

Step 2: unbolt bottom seatbelt mount and hang it over the rocker so it is out of the way

Step 3: Remove bottom trim piece for the B pillar, careful do not break it since you cannot buy them new anymore!

Step 4 : Remove the plastic kick plates. To do so.. get your hand under it and yank one end up and move your and down and it will pop off

Step 5: Remove the carpet on which your feet rest

Now onto the fun part

Just look at the rocker carpet

old and bleached by the sun

Step 6 : If on the Drivers side Remove the left side kick panel(your left foot rests by it or on the dead pedal)
To do so unscrew the screw next to the dead pedal, undo the windlace at the bottom and let it hang and pull towards the back of the car. Then wrestle it out from underneath the hood pull. It also helps if the parking break is off.

Step 6b: If on the passenger side it is basically the same procedure except the screw holding the panel in place is forward by the firewall and probably covered by dirt

Step 7: Remove the old carpets

grab an end and pull it. Afterwards go over the left over residue with a plastic scrapper to remove it.

Step 8: Test fit the carpet to be installed

Step 9: Once satisfied the piece is the correct one and fits go ahead and open your contact cement. Give it a good stir then pour some into the paint pan. Don't pour it all since it will set and become goey before you can use it all

Step 10: Slater on the contact cement on all of the surfaces the old carpet was on. Then let it sit for a minute so it can set up and become slightly tacky.

Step 11: lay down the carpet and line up the ends as well as the bolt hole for the seatbelt mount

step 12 : once its on grab your mallet and begin to tamp it down on all surfaces

finished product

Repeat for the other side

Replacing the center console carpets

Search on how to remove the console

the sections of carpets just lifts out and stick the new carpets in.

You will want to either dye or replace the carpet that is for the "coin tray"

helpful pic of the wiring for the center console switch panel

Intermission

/intermission

Painting interior panels

I swapped my palomino for black interior. Black is a hard to find colour so some pieces I was just not patient about waiting for.

I used Duplicolor's Vinyl and fabric dye which can be found at any parts store.

Gloss Black and Flat Black are probably the only two colors that will work.

For a wider selection of colors check out the SEM topcoat line of products. They cost a lot more but give you more choices for color and a better quality

On to painting

Step 1: Remove the part you wish to paint

You should have set up somewhere to paint the part. Make sure it is well ventilated. I do my work outside on the lawn. I also put down cardboard so not to paint the grass.

Step 2 : Clean the part with soap and water to remove any grime/grease. Then prior to painting go over the surface with a high grit sand paper and go across the surface. Make sure the surface is drenched in water. Then once dry and clean go over with rubbing alcohol so to remove any finger grease.

Step 3: Paint

use light, alternating passes. The first coat should be light and allowed to become tacky

Then move onto a full covering making sure not to apply too much the paint runs

Once covered do an addtion two to three coats and allow to dry for 30-60 minutes. Do a scratch test to see how well the paint bonded. Do as many coats as you wish.

Step 4: Once dry reinstall

I painted the following

Passenger side kick panel and EGR access door
Passenger side door panel.
Drivers side map pocket.

I am confident enough to say you could use the duplicolor product on all of the tex trim pieces. I know SEM would work very well on just about every piece.

Any questions feel free to PM TheDon

Scott98 · #2 03-25-2008, 09:46 PM

Very nice! If you don't mind me asking, how much was the carpet kit and where did you get it?

Scott

TheDon · #3 03-25-2008, 09:53 PM

you can get the complete w123 sedan carpets new and precut from GAHH for close to $900

I sourced some from a member here and saved a lot. keep a lookout in the junkyards and etc

TylerH860 · #4 03-25-2008, 09:54 PM

Pics of the finished product please, so I can drool.

TheDon · #5 03-25-2008, 10:00 PM

I ran out of daylight. Plus I ran my battery down while jamming out with the ipod on... derrrrr

I also reconnected my antenna.. I had forgotten to plug it in last time I fiddled with the radio. Now I can go to the drive ins that still exists!

I'll have some soon since I need to detail my car for sunday

request for Add to the DIY wikipages

TylerH860 · #6 03-25-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

I also reconnected my antenna.. I had forgotten to plug it in last time I fiddled with the radio. Now I can go to the drive ins that still exists!

Plans for the Drive in with "The Donna" in your future?

To bad that euro interior doesn't have a bench front seat.

TheDon · #7 03-25-2008, 10:32 PM

she might come to my gtg on sunday.. I hope so.. I like how we are sharing interests

I lost a bid on a w123 column shift indicator...

.. then I would only need the column shifter and make a bench seat from a w110 work

I saw a mint black on black 80's monte carlo ss for sale.. $2500.. I wanted it so bad. My mom had one back in the day when I was a small child..

I mentioned drive in because I've always wanted to go one.. and not to just make out.. thats an added benefit... I asked her once and she declined since she thought my intent was that of carnal intentions

JimmyL · #8 03-25-2008, 10:52 PM

Nice DIY Don. Keep 'em coming. Still just love those seats.....

TheDon · #9 03-25-2008, 10:55 PM

I'll probably make a DIY on changing out the springs and shocks...

TylerH860 · #10 03-25-2008, 10:57 PM

I'm a regular at the local drive in. I love taking the rag top there, bargain price too.

http://www.starlitefun.com/photo-gallery-show.php?ID=2#

DeliveryValve · #11 03-25-2008, 11:22 PM

Hey I found the black rear window switch covers... Do you want them? ..... trade for those sun visors?

TheDon · #12 03-25-2008, 11:24 PM

cha.. i've been slacking.. they are still yours.. i need a box lol.. i painted the broken covers i had.

send em

.. I need to ship yours

DeliveryValve · #13 03-25-2008, 11:37 PM

On a second look, one of the side tabs are broken on each of the plates. I am not sure if they are crucial to holding it in place. But I'll send them anyway, including the switch intact.

TheDon · #14 03-26-2008, 11:17 AM

I'll send the visors via parcel post of flat rate.. all depending on which box I can find

Dee8go · #15 03-26-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

you can get the complete w123 sedan carpets new and precut from GAHH for close to $900

I sourced some from a member here and saved a lot. keep a lookout in the junkyards and etc

I wonder what you could buy the uncut carpet for, cut it yourself, and have a carpet dealer sew the edges for? It seems like you could do that for a lot les than $900.