Does anybody know how to remove the plastic surround piece from this euro headlight without breaking it? It's already got a few broken pieces but I would like to remove it without breaking it even more.

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Man, I don't think it's possible to remove the plastic surrounds without breaking or cracking them. Those pieces are waaaay too delicate. I tried to remove one of them and it just kept breaking with every touch.

I just worked it free.
Don't know how to explain, but it took some maneuvering.
Not memorably difficult.

Then you can spray them.

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1981 240D 4sp manual. Ivory White.

Yeah, I tried it on a spare Euro light I had and it did not go well. I mean, I don't know how I could've been more delicate. It just started snapping all over the place. Hopefully the ones on my car are not as dried out but now I'm hesitant to even try to do it.

The lo spec headlight doors are held in with Philips screws from the backside. shern, are the hi spec euros different?

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1983 300D Midnight Blue
4 speed, W115 intake mani, non-EGR exhaust mani, KKK K26, 3 pc Euro bumpers, Lo-spec Euro headlights, AL129X, hubcaps, custom A/C

1987 300TD Smoke Silver
Euro headlights, thermostat relocation, coolant bypass mod, rebuilt Becker + Jehnert + Helix audio, OEM Oris roof boxes and surfboard racks, Euro towbar

1983 300TD Reed (Moss) Green / Dark Olive MB Tex Euro spec

1983 300TD Silver Blue / Blue cloth Euro spec, OM648 and 722.6, 15" hubcaps, W126 S2 brakes

Yeah, I found the screws on the back and unscrewed them carefully and I still cracked the plastic frame in a few places.

I can't remember... there were definitely screws holding something in position. Possibly the reflectors. I only recall the doors needing a little snaking to remove. TBH, the only memorable part of the overhaul was popping those retaining clips off the lenses without shattering them. Was not looking forward to that.

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1981 240D 4sp manual. Ivory White.

I thought for sure I was going to crack a lens when removing the clips but that part went smoothly, surprisingly.