Door Panel Repair After Removal
 

1989 300E

I just removed the right rear door panel from the car to replace a failed door check. When I was removing the panel, I might have been a little bit too aggressive as 5 out of the 7 glued on door clip came off. The remaining two near the bottom are still very tight and secure and the ones that come from the arm rest are integrated and in good condition.

I am going to remove all of the old adhesive from the plastic clips by soaking them with Goo Gone (Adhesive remover) and scrubbing with a brush until they are completely clean. For the door panel I am going to dig out as much old adhesive as I can with the screw driver you see in the picture, without digging into the cork (it that was this panel is made of?)

To reattach the 5 clips, do you guys have a specific recommendation? I was just going to use Super Glue, but it is not what Mercedes-Benz used in 1989. Just wondering if anyone on this forum has had to reattach these clips and was interested to learn if I can use a better bonding material/adhesive.

Please chime in. Thank you!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3le5-Lcwkv0M21sQU1PbjFxMVE/view?usp=sharing

I use hot melt glue.

Right on!

I just got back from hot gluing the clips back on. The adhesion is excellent and it seems very close to whatever Mercedes-Benz used back in the day. It may very well be hot glue.

Some technologies just never change!

Thank you for the tip, it was very helpful.

Now I am vacuuming out the bottom of the door, and wiping it down. Next, lubricate the window regulator and paint the faded grey door handle with black & clear bumper paint (it has flex additives).

Can't wait to go through the other 3 doors. :D