R129 - Bonnet insulation replacement

[R129mine]

About 15 years ago I replaced the bonnet insulation and despite knowing there is an correct side up or down I messed it up last time and it bugged me all these years This summer I noticed the bonnet insulation started to disintegrate again.

I ordered a new one which arrived last week. I also have a spare hook (brand new) and release lever (eBay purchase) and the old ones were all pretty crusty and the spring is missing



The bonnet is a little rusty on the inside as well so sanded off all the rust, put some primer on and tomorrow will spray it Azurite Blue and put a top coat on before putting it all back together


The bolts cleaned up nicely too, they were all body colour painted but I think i will just leave them as they are, because as soon as i fasten them the paint will come off. They are a bit pitted, will see what it looks like in a years time.




I had to re-use one of the hooks so used the grinder to clean it up and primed it,



Sanded down the new to me release catch and gave it an extra coat of satin black



tomorrow i will apply the azurite blue paint and a clear coat but first will remove all the old glue and bonnet insulation once the glue removal kit arrives tomorrow.

Mission creep!!

 

[Wearsthefoxhat]

A nice job and good use of your wheelie bin.. I used a small paint roller on a long handle to help stick mine down in the bits I could not reach..

 

[R129mine]

glue very hard to remove, ordered 3M glue remover as gone goo just takes forever
did put the hooks and release catch back on, miles better than before, for comparison the old release catch next to the refurbished on

and on the car, not sure if i prefer the blue or the zinc colour one, I have the original one so may have a go at zinc plating myself later this year, may come in handy for the bolts and washers too,

used some lithium grease on the hooks and release catch and tested it and the bonnet stays down and I can open it as well, result

Just the insulation to do after I have remove all the old glue (what a job)

 

[R129mine]

All done. This spray glue is much easier to use than the mb glue I used last time. I used 3M adhesive remover and gone goo to get 95% of the old stuff off

Added bonus. I put it on the right way around this time. Hopefully that helps with keeping it in good shape. Last one lasted quite a while though

 

[toby1]

A timely post as mine is turning to dust. From where did you buy the insulation please and are you happy with the quality?

 

[R129mine]

I got mine from the SLshop.com, it was about £100 including new fasteners and the glue, I remember buying it from MB dealer last time (i think it was 15 years ago) and it was about £80 + glue

Quality seems good, it fits perfectly although I think the MB original one has 2x extra holes for the fasteners but I am nitpicking.

 

[BTB 500]

Very nice.

I chickened out and paid to have mine replaced while it was in having the hood windows replaced!

 

[Adamski151]

I've done this on mine too - they do go with time. The SL shop can provide a whole kit which includes glue and the plastic fixing screws. Not terribly expensive.

 

[ray_hennig]

I used 3M adhesive remover and gone goo to get 95% of the old stuff off

I recall that my man left most of the old glue in place as it formed a good "key" for the new glue. Still in place about 8 years later. Well, aside from a chunk eaten by some French rodent in a garden near Bordeaux!

RayH

 

[alabbasi]

Which brand pad did you get? I remember when I did mine years ago, the aftermarket pad did not fit well at the front and I had to get that piece from the dealer. It's time again.

 

[ray_hennig]

Which brand pad did you get?

I got a genuine MB pad. My son got a Febi and it's pretty poor quality in comparison.

R