Mercedes-Benz W113 Roadster (230SL, 250SL & 280SL)

Mercedes-Benz W113 Door Panel Skin Installation Instructions
For Covering Door Panel Board (Product #: 113-2572)

To Order this product by Phone, Call (805) 921-0100 or (800) 222-9577, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm PST

The following information is supplied as a customer service guide only. World Upholstery & Trim recommends professional installation of all our products. No guarantees are granted with regards to the use of this guide.

Tools required:

• Scissors or Sharp Knife
• Phillips & Slotted Screwdriver
• Metric Socket Set
• Awl or Punch
• Drill
• Pliers
• Small Hammer
• Contact Adhesive
• Rivets

Special Note: Mercedes W113 door panels originally were covered in Leather or MB Tex vinyl and came in 2 styles. All 230SL and most European 250 and 280SL models had door panels with a hard pocket and a very small armrest. US 250SL and 280SL cars had a larger armrest and an elastic soft pocket. Overall dimensions were the same.

Removal of Door Panel:

1. Remove the screws securing the armrest, door lock, door handle, window winder and the lock surround.
2. There is a plastic insert under the interior door handle. You will see a place to insert a small flat screwdriver and pop the insert out.
3. Under this insert is one phillips screw which holds the metal escutcheon to the door.
4. Lift the panel up out of the upper and lower channels.

Disassembly of Door Panel:

1. With the old panel on the bench, remove the upper chrome strip by carefully prying down the 6 clips with a screwdriver.
2. Turn the panel over and remove the 2x8mm nuts holding the pocket.
3. Carefully straighten the 6 bent over tabs holding the bottom of the pocket.
4. Remove the pocket and place to one side.
5. Note and remove any spacers that may have stuck to the panel.
6. Release the door skin from the top aluminum rail being careful not to bend it.
7. Next drill out the 6 rivets holding the aluminum rail to the panel.
8. Remove the rail and clean any traces of adhesive from inner and outer surfaces.
9. Remove the pocket cover from its frame, note the position of the inner elastic.
10. Clean all traces of adhesive from the frame.

Re-assembly of Door Panel:

1. Rivet the upper aluminum rail to the door panel board.
2. With the door skin on a clean flat surface face down, center the panel board so that the door handle opening and the door latch cut out are in the middle of the 2 horizontal lines.
3. Mark the position of the panel on the skin back with a pencil line. Apply glue the skin back and to the board face along the 2 horizontal lines only and glue in place. Do not glue the entire panel to the skin.
4. Next, turn the panel over and glue around the lower 3 sides on the back.
5. With the panel now covered on 3 sides, trim the backing so it is flush with the upper inside edge of the aluminum rail, then glue the upper edge of the skin to the inside edge of the aluminum rail where the chrome strip is attached.
6. Clip the chrome strip to the aluminum rail with the 6 original clips.
7. Next cover the pocket frame taking note that the 2 threaded studs go through the elastic that is inside the upper edge before the lower perimeter is glued in place.
8. With the pocket frame now covered, push the studs and tabs thru the panel.
9. Tighten the nuts on the back and bend over the tabs to hold the pocket in place.
10. Using the old skin as a guide, mark and cut out the holes for the rest of the hardware.

Please highly consider professional installation as these skins are difficult to install!