Rear Pillar Stripping

[tomer]

Does anyone know if this is a DIY job to replace them?

My father-in-law's 2001 ML320 just lost the trim piece on the driver's side, and the one on the passenger side has the clear coat lifting off... It has never seen any harsh conditions like road salt or living in sub zero conditions...

Anyhow, dealer here in San jose, CA wants $147 for each trim piece!!! Ironically they have them in stock, parts lady said it is the most common trim piece to fall off the ML's...I can only guess they will charge 1 to 1.5 hrs labour to install both, and I think they charge at least $125/hr if not $150/hr labour rates...

No way I want to pay that... Is there a DIY procedure I can do? I do have a heat gun, which I have never used!!!

thx all!

[tomer]

Can you believe it...? Service guy said $144 for the part, $133 for adhesive (is this a 5 gallon pail I wanted to ask, or a tube!!!) $163 labor...

Sure hope I see one of those modile windshield vans around, i will ask to buy a tube of adhesive from them!!!

thx in advance folks... Has anyone sourced adhesive from anywhere but the dealer? Also, what dealer sells the trim for $100?

[JoeE46M3]

Mine isnt bad at all...but its still there...I may run by a body shop. I actually think a high quality black paint job on them will make the truck look better.

[lastprodigy]

I did the DIY repaint....masked everythign behind the rear doors and turned out pretty good

[fabbrisd1]

My local body shop quoted $130 for both "sanded down real good, then resprayed with a new clear, so problem won't ever happen again".

He said, "this kindof problem happens all the time with clear coated exterior plastic from all the automaker's"..

[Bogie]

I painted mine...

Check out...
Peeling Clearcoat-Rear Corner Window Plastic