I have a 85 300D and the wood trim around the climate control is loose at the corners and the wood trim piece on the glovebox is loose on the ends. What is the best product/ procedure to secure these pieces correctly?

Thanks guys,

I've not done these repairs but I spend a lot of time with various glues. I'm thinking it's more difficult to get the glue behind a bit of it that is pulling away than to have the whole thing off and gluing it back wholesale. But pulling it off could be more trouble.

One of my favorite glues these days is the newer polyurethane construction adhesive. Gorilla glue is similar chemically, as is super glue. The curing of these glues is catalyzed by water or water vapor. They do just fine absent airflow for drying, which many other glues require. It gets enough moisture for curing just by exposing it to the air when you apply it.

The construction adhesive is available only in the caulking tube container, I'd use some sort of thin bit of steel to get the glue behind the piece and to work it around. Have some thinner/mineral spirits handy to wipe off excess. Use rubber gloves as it stains your skin dark, and will not wash off, must wear off instead - 2, 3 days.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

problem with gorilla glue is it expands.. it will make a mess of your wood pieces

i've had some success with using basic crazy glue and clamping everything real well.

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R Martin
Dallas, TX (Addison)

86 560SEL, 128K

I used gorilla glue, but as someone mentioned dont put too much or it will ooze out the sides.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

I used Gorilla Glue on my glove box trim (left side). I removed the door, shoved a wet rag in there to clean it and while is was still damp, I put a thin strip of glue down the center behind the trim with a q-tip. After clamping for about 1 hour it oozed out of the "end" which is ok. You can easily (albeit carefully) trim the glue bubbles off with a razor knife. You literally cannot see the repair and it looks great.

As they said above be very careful. If you are liberal with it.... It will ooze and bubble out everywhere. It is VERY difficult to get the residue off after it dries.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

I used contact cement used for gluing formica... worked well - liquid nails would work well - I would be very careful with gorilla glue or you'll have lot of cleanup in hard to reach places. Good glue - just not for this application in my opinion.

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

I used gorilla glue as well with some clamps to hold it down.

My climate control wood trim became warped somehow. What I did was put gorilla glue on the trim and clamped it down.

However in my case it easily pealed off of the trim and I was able to stick it back onto the panel.

The glue gunk comes off really easily if you catch it quickly. In my case I had it with me next to my desk as I typed up a paper and I saw this oozing stuff coming out of one of the side.

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

The long lost MedMech was big on Gorilla glue. It's OK for some things but the expansion thing can be a problem. The construction adhesive I referred to is only similar in some chemical manner, not completely sure about that, and it behaves differently. Very little expansion, usually not even noticeable.

Both stain the hell out of your skin and are catalyzed for curing by water.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

When attempting to remove the Wood Veneer,You'd swear it's only 25 Microns
in thickness (Two Human Hairs).And is Very easy to Crack/Split, when removed from the backing.

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Handy for this kind of work is used dentist/medical stainless steel spatulas. I bought some at a flea market some years ago. They are great for mixing epoxies and working it under veneer.

I initially tried double sided tape on my glovebox wood. Came off in the hot sun. Resorted to a quick set epoxy and it's been holding ever since.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13