Lost skin

[Fivespoke]

Just got a 2005 C200K, W203 I think? Used Cockpit & Dash wipes on the box cover and the surface peeled off the leatherette like skin. Contacted the manufacturer and they said stuff was only water based! Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

ouch! That sounds like a new low even for MB. I must admit I've never cleaned it with anything more than a duster but the car has been valeted several times (looked brand new when I bought it at 3 years old) and they must use a similar thing to clean the inside with. Did it damage anything esle?

 

[mioba]

then again, it could have been that someone who cleaned it before you something they shouldnt have, that rected with the leather, your wiping just rubbed the skin off.

i would go back to where you got the car from and say, look here, this is not right, i wouldnt mention you cleaned it or what you used.

 

[sv4]

Read about something similar at MBWorld.org, appears to be a common problem at the armrest box cover for the post-2004 facelifted W203s. They had it replaced under warranty by their dealers, suggest you do a search there and follow up with your dealer.

 

[Fivespoke]

Armrest Skin Peeling

I have found 3 posts on 'that American site' relating to this problem. Also received lab test results from manufacturer of dash wipes product, vindicating the product as harmless. Surely not, Mercedes using a coating that is so easily damaged! i'm going to submit a warranty claim for this.