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  #1  
Old 12-26-2007, 06:19 PM
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Refinishing wood on the dash

I am getting ready to start refinishing the wood on the dash of my 1972 250C. The wood appears to be in fair shape, but the finish (varnish?) is crumbling off.

My plan is to remove the wood from the dash and glovebox, sand the wood smooth, and then apply some type of varnish and stain. I took a lunch time trip to Home Depot, but none of the finishes looked like what I was after.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what type of finish to use?

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  #2  
Old 12-26-2007, 07:39 PM
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Dash Wood Refinishing

I redid my dash wood on my 1970 250c about a year ago. I stripped the old finish off with spray paint remover and then lightly sanded with 220 grit and then 360 grit to get a smooth finish. The vaneer is extremely thin be careful. I tried several different spray finishes but was not happy with the outcome. I wound up restripping and taking them to one of my daughters friends father who has a cabinet refinishing shop. He used a catalyzed polyurethane after spraying with several coats of sanding sealer. They look great. The materials are very expensive unless you can buy in bulk. I would look for a local cabinet/furniture refinisher who can spray them for you.
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  #3  
Old 12-26-2007, 09:30 PM
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Rick,

Is there any chance you could send me a picture of the dash? I'd like to see about what it should look like.
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  #4  
Old 12-26-2007, 10:55 PM
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I usually use stripper to get the finish all the way down the wood. I don't sand the zebrano, the grains appear to be at different heights and I don't want to dull them. I don't use a stain either, I like it natural. For the main finish, I prefer catalysed urethane. In short, regular automotive clearcoat, available whereever your local body shop buys their paint from. I only use a spray gun to apply, spray cans are always 1k and I've never tried using a brush on it.
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Old 12-26-2007, 11:55 PM
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I have used {deft} it is a lacquer base.Yet it is water prof. 3-coats,wet sand 240 {tint if desired} in next 3-coats,wet sand 600,3-coat.This does not look plastic.You can buy any color you want.doing this way,you always have,real wood under neath.
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  #6  
Old 12-27-2007, 03:09 AM
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I followed the advice of a site devoted to this issue & it worked:
DO NOT USE SAND PAPER. Use steel wool 000 0r 0000 after stripping the old finish w/Jasco or something similar. This may take 3 applications. DO NOT USE SANDPAPER. To restain use Minwax Red Mahogany or plain Mahogany. After achieving the desired color tone, smooth w/steel wool. DO NOT USE SANDPAPER. Then use minwax clear, a couple of coats, and lightly smooth w/steel wool. DO NOT USE SANDPAPER.
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  #7  
Old 12-27-2007, 06:12 AM
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I use either tung oil or Danish oil. Just give it a quick swipe with a fresh rag every 6 months or so. The beauty of using an oil finish is if it needs to be removed, a wipe down with denatured alcohol does the trick.
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  #8  
Old 12-28-2007, 05:18 PM
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Can you direct me to the site for more information? I will be at this point eventually on my 3.5 coupe and am considering different options for refinishing.
Tkanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 280EZRider View Post
I followed the advice of a site devoted to this issue & it worked:
DO NOT USE SAND PAPER. Use steel wool 000 0r 0000 after stripping the old finish w/Jasco or something similar. This may take 3 applications. DO NOT USE SANDPAPER. To restain use Minwax Red Mahogany or plain Mahogany. After achieving the desired color tone, smooth w/steel wool. DO NOT USE SANDPAPER. Then use minwax clear, a couple of coats, and lightly smooth w/steel wool. DO NOT USE SANDPAPER.
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  #9  
Old 12-28-2007, 06:20 PM
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I will try to post some pictures of the dash this weekend. The guy who finished my dash is named Mark Spraque. His company name is California Finish and he can be reached at 909 579 0258 or california_finish@verizone.net . I'm sure he would be happy to either suggest the materials or even quote you a price.
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  #10  
Old 12-28-2007, 07:12 PM
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here is a picture of the dash. I guess I need to do the wheel next.
Attached Thumbnails
Refinishing wood on the dash-dash-003.jpg  
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  #11  
Old 12-28-2007, 08:42 PM
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THAT is sweeettt! I'm restoring a 280C and I know where I'm sending my dash wood now! Thanks for the info!

Heck, I might even pull my wife's wood back off and send it to him.
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  #12  
Old 12-29-2007, 09:06 PM
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Tony_H, Sorry, I no longer have the address. I found it about 6 months ago by googling "mercedes wood refinishing."
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  #13  
Old 12-29-2007, 09:13 PM
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This

Try this product.
$20 per can it is a two part catalyzed urethane.
good for wood, rims etc.
goes on very smooth like shooting with a gun.
it is very very tough and does not yellow.
enough in one can to do 70 or more coats on your wood so get on the go and set up other stuff you want to finish coat in order to use the can up.
I did 10 coats on my rims and there was still some left over.

Spray Max 2K rapid cut-in spot clear coat

part no. 3 680 062

I went to the car paint shop thinking to buy clear coat and catalyst for a gun $80+) and the guy steered me to this product.

USE A GOOD MASK DO NOT BREATHE THE STUFFFF
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  #14  
Old 12-30-2007, 07:01 PM
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Cool Could you post some pictures?

I just bought a 1995 E420 - needs some polishing - and a shine

Just never thought of "painting" the wheels.

Yes, the dash wood has some cracks - your suggestions are appreciated.
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Thanks for the help
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  #15  
Old 12-30-2007, 07:25 PM
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Thanks for the help everyone. I was able to refinish the wood this weekend and I am quite pleased with the outcome.

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