underdash panels?

[psmith]

A few years ago I decided to replace my panels before they disintegrated and wasn't able to find them in the US.  I measured and drew up the center and right panel (including the angled bend) that I had and made a cardboard template for the left side that was missing.  Then I took it ot TAP Plastics and had them made out of black plastic with a "wrinkle" finish.  They're not original, but they work very well.

Pete S.

[J. Huber]

Clever Pete. Probably more durable than the originals.

Well, I went ahead and ordered the item John suggested. One issue is the piece is 1/16 thick which may be a little less than original. If its to flimsy I may have to double up. Waiting for the panel...
 
While I am at it -- what can anyone tell me about the trunk board panels? The cardboard pieces that wedge into the sides of the trunk. I assume my car had them at one point. Are they a similar material to the underdashers?

James
63 230SL

[sjiatrou]

James:
Funny you should ask, I just received a new one ($69.00) from Miller's Benz (http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~partsort) It fits and looks great and they have the foam backing. They have them for right or left side and are precut for the expansion tank. (they arrive flat, not curved, so perhaps they can be fashioned into an underdash panel. I'll have to look at that possibility!)

Steve

quote:Originally posted by J. Huber

Clever Pete. Probably more durable than the originals.

Well, I went ahead and ordered the item John suggested. One issue is the piece is 1/16 thick which may be a little less than original. If its to flimsy I may have to double up. Waiting for the panel...
 
While I am at it -- what can anyone tell me about the trunk board panels? The cardboard pieces that wedge into the sides of the trunk. I assume my car had them at one point. Are they a similar material to the underdashers?

James
63 230SL

Steve
Seaside, CA
1964 230sl roadster
White (050)/Black (116)

[J. Huber]

Hey Steve. Well, you probably wondered when the other shoe would drop...

As you warned, the shipping cost from Lebaron is scary. Initially the online order quoted 7 dollars. I thought, boy Steve is even more of a cheapskate than me! Then they called me today and said it would be 48! on a 10 dollar item...So I have pulled the plug for now. I am going to see if anyone locally might have a suitable panel.

Thanks for the info on trunk panels. Interesting about making a dasher out of them. And Pete, what did your fab run you?

James
63 230SL

[thelews]

quote:Originally posted by J. Huber

 I am going to see if anyone locally might have a suitable panel.

It must be the size that's running up the shipping cost???

Just hung up the phone with my friends at www.blackforestllc.com and he was telling me they use a moldable plastic to replicate the panels and then cover it with whatever material the customer wants...from original look to matching interior leather.  He said they're durable and infinitely moldable.  Might be worth checking out.  This outfit is doing the engine rebuild on my 190 SL and do a lot of 113 work, always 3-5 of them in the shop.  You want to speak with Michael, if you call 414-228-4899.  I don't know the cost.

John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

[J. Huber]

Thanks John. I just had an idea to call back Lebaron and see if they could cut the panel in quarters then ship. Worth a try.

Oh and this could turn into an expensive project -- I stopped off at a local restorer to ask about the panels. Got to talking about replacing floors, a paint job, etc...[:p]

James
63 230SL

[J. Huber]

Back on track! I was able to find a panel board just like Lebaron locally. 12 bucks.

The only problem is it is black not gray. I figure I can overcome that either by living with black -- or if I can, use some vinyl paint to get it to dark gray.

So for you guys who bought from SLS, Van Dijk, etc. what color are your replacements?

Also, foam. I notice with John's that the foam extends beyond the panel on the driver's side. Does it also on the passenger's? Looks flush on center? How about the replacements -- what does the foam look like? Thanks all.

James
63 230SL

[thelews]

quote:Originally posted by J. Huber


Also, foam. I notice with John's that the foam extends beyond the panel on the driver's side. Does it also on the passenger's? Looks flush on center?

Foam extends on passenger side panel on the sides, like driver's.  Is flush on the bolster and floor mat ends.

John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

[Eryck]

I see that you are discussing the LHD version.  

Anyone out there know where I can find the RHD panels?  Friends from the UK or Downunder?  

I checked with SLS but they said that they don't have it but didn't say whether they didn't have the RHD one or just panels.

1965 230 SL White Manual
Hong Kong

[J. Huber]

Hey Eryck, I am not sure if "recreating" one as I am embarking on would be as easy as reversing the pattern? Maybe someone with RHD panels can verify. As far as SLS -- I believe they do have LHDs so they may have meant RHDs are scarce...

And while we are here -- can anyone with 230SL LHD Auto panels confirm if the driver's side has the 3 inch hole? I know John's manual panel does -- just want to confirm on autos. (oh and color?)

James
63 230SL

[J. Huber]

Well, I finally got around to my "rainy day" project. Overall, I think things turned out pretty good. I ended up buying a "finished panel board" or "package tray" as it is also called. It was black and 1/16 inch thick. I then cut it to size using John's dimensions for the driver's side and tracing my old panels for the others. I needed to trim things here and there to get a good fit in the car. Also, I realized his is a manual, mine is an auto so I had to modify it a bit. Next, I cut some 1/2 inch foam for backing and glued it with 3M spray. It didn't cut as crisply as I'd like but its ok. Having better tools might have helped. Finally I hit it all with some charcoal grey vinyl spray paint.

Final cost: panelboard $12, foam backing $5, vinyl spray $5, your encouragement -- priceless!

The original ones...




The repros...



Thanks guys.

James
63 230SL

[psmith]

Hi James,

Great job.  They look really nice.  Is the panel board vinyl over plastic or a solid plastic material?  Where did you find it?

Here's a picture of my repo's.  They're not as shiny as they look in the picture, the flash lit them up.  I can't remember how much it cost to have them cut out, but it was not much, a while you wait kind of deal.  But I think you beat me at 22 bucks!



Pete S.

[hauser]

Very professional!  I wouldn't have know the difference.  I may have to pick your brain and borrow your templates on this one!

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[thelews]

Looks good guys.  Yes, my dimensions are for a manual transmission panel and would be different and more difficult.

The foam is hard to cut smoothly.  They use special tools.  A scissors just can't get as smooth an edge.

John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

[Peter van Es]

Ok guys... now who is going to add this info as a write up in the Technical Manual, this section:

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Interior.Underdashpanels

Peter

1970 280SL. Also known as 'admin@sl113.org' and organiser of the Technical Manual.

[J. Huber]

Hey Peter. Well, I'd be more than willing to write-up my experience for the wiki. Of course, others would possibly do things different -- and probably better. (as John has mentioned, the proper tools would really help to refine things). But I'll share if you'd like. (I have a handful of photos of the process)...

And Pete S: I used a panel board very similar to the one from Lebaron-Bonney hyperlinked below. However, the cost to ship was 48 bucks so I searched locally. At least two upholstery shops had them (in black not grey). One wanted 35 bucks -- the other 12. Go figure. I have dealt with the first guy before -- kind of a jerk actually. So I gladly paid the other fella 12 dollars. The board is basically cardbord with a laminated vinyl-like material. Not super sturdy but it has the grain finish like the originals... But more about this in the wiki!




James
63 230SL

[psmith]

Hey James, I'm a wiki newbie too!  I started fooling around with the breaks/hand break section to get my feet wet.  Shoot me an email and we can help each other figure it out.

Pete S.

[Bob G]

I have an intrest in finding or reproducing the underdash panel boards my self. My 280SL has a modified frankstein air conditioner unite my dad fabricated. the problem is it is ugly  and dangerious there is a metal stip under the passenger side of the air conditioner and my future plans since this is not daily driver is to totaly remove the A/C unite  from the inside of the car and the engine bay and put it back pre A/C. I got the metal panel they cut on the right side of the innner fender to replace it as well.
The only underdash board left  in the car is on the driver side under  the steering wheel. It is a brown panel that is held with one screw and a  clip forward of the steering column.
I would like to get rid of the Freinstein A/C he put in and have  just a clean under dash with no A/C .
I thought that Buds Mercedes-Benz sells under dash panels ? Will the panels fit any year W113? my dash and interior  is black MBZ Tex.
Bob Geco

[J. Huber]

Hey Bob. To answer your question about Bud's selling the panels. Yes they do, as well as several others. My little experiment in crafting my own was mostly a way to save a few bucks (and partly to stay busy while my car waits for a sunny day...) The prices for the panels have climbed -- SLS is 100 Euros, Buds 250 dollars, Miller's 169 -- all with shipping extra. So upon the suggestion of other member's I thought I'd try my hand. My car is not a show car but a "driver". My old panels were shot -- so these will be an improvement.

James
63 230SL

[thelews]

My understanding is the Black Forest LLC in Milwaukee sells the panels too. www.blackforestllc.com  414-228-4899  No affilition other than the work they are doing on my 190 SL (engine rebuild, front sub, rear end, upholstery).

John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

[waqas]

James, very nice indeed!

When I tried something similar a couple years back, I couldn't find a decent way to 'crease' the board in such a way as to allow repeated bending... each time I remove it for maintenance, the crease gets more jagged, and I feel as if it might soon come apart from there.

Any suggestions?

Waqas in Austin, Texas

[J. Huber]

Hey Waqas. That is a good point. What I did was lightly score the panel board from the back and carefully make the crease. After the foam is on, it is a little more reinforced but I am still being very gingerly with the bend during install and removal.

James
63 230SL

[thelews]

quote:Originally posted by J. Huber

Hey Waqas. That is a good point. What I did was lightly score the panel board from the back and carefully make the crease. After the foam is on, it is a little more reinforced but I am still being very gingerly with the bend during install and removal.

James
63 230SL

Slap a piece of duct tape on the back of the crease before applying the foam.

John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

[waqas]

quote:Originally posted by thelews



Slap a piece of duct tape on the back of the crease before applying the foam.

John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

Ahhh... duct tape... that universal cure for everything that ails you!
 

Now if only i could get duct tape to stick without the aid of gravity, I wouldn't have a rusty firewall problem anymore!

Waqas in Austin, Texas

[Ron]

Hi, does anyone have the dimensions for the middle panel?  I guess I could scale it to the photos in this thread, but I thought maybe someone had the numbers.  Thanks, Ron