Alternative for refinishing damaged wood trim - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dewhite2485 · #1 01-07-2008, 09:35 PM

I needed to refinish the wood trim on my car but after looking into it more I found out I needed to also replace some of the wood also. So after stripping the wood and sanding it I tried to find out a way to replace the wood but I knew that it wouldnt be able to get wood on the compound curves so I looked around and found some vinyl that looked like zebra wood so I got some and thought I would give it a try, it worked out pretty well all I need to do now is put some clear on it and wet sand it and it should look pretty good, I may put some tint in the clear to make the wood darker but Im not sure what I want yet just have to play around with things and see how it looks.
the upload thing wouldnt work so here is a link http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/dewhite2485/DSC00106.jpg?t=1199758993

vstech · #2 01-07-2008, 09:59 PM

oh, I think the original looks much better, even with cracks in it... JMHO...

Dewhite2485 · #3 01-07-2008, 10:02 PM

I should have taken a before picture it was pretty bad, the clear was cracked and chipped and the wood veneer was peeling pretty bad. Once I get it all the way done we shall see how it looks but everyone is has there own opinions

Dewhite2485 · #4 01-07-2008, 10:54 PM

its my girl's car so I dont have allot of say but Im guna try to make it darker with the clear and see how it looks on some test pieces, right now I think it looks like the stock wood thats been stripped and sanded

Dewhite2485 · #5 01-07-2008, 10:54 PM

Thats the vinyl in those pictures

lietuviai · #6 01-07-2008, 10:53 PM

So is that picture of the wood or vinyl?

Biodiesel300TD · #7 01-07-2008, 10:56 PM

Zebra wood is naturally light like that. MB must have stained it slighty to darken it up. I think with a little stain and some glossy clearcoat they'll look great.

JimmyL · #8 01-07-2008, 11:05 PM

Zebrano wood!

Biodiesel300TD · #9 01-08-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Zebrano wood!

That is what Mercedes calles it. But if you go to a hard wood supply store it's called a Zebra wood, or more scienctifically it's called Microberlinia brazzavillensis
http://www.woodzone.com/woods/zebrawood.htm

JimmyL · #10 01-08-2008, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD

That is what Mercedes calls it.

Isn't that what we're talking about?????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD

But if you go to a hard wood supply store it's called a Zebra wood, or more scienctifically it's called Microberlinia brazzavillensis
http://www.woodzone.com/woods/zebrawood.htm

I guess we can Google each other to death with Zebrano vs Zebra, or more un-scientifically Woodess withaliness crackess....
http://www.connectedlines.com/wood/wood80.htm

"Scienctifically"

You spell like I do.......

Aren't you glad you don't have to worry about wood in my favorite little Green Euro 240?

Hatterasguy · #11 01-07-2008, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD

Zebra wood is naturally light like that. MB must have stained it slighty to darken it up. I think with a little stain and some glossy clearcoat they'll look great.

Yes they did, and matching that stain is a PITA. I tried everything, even Chris Craft stain, but could only get close. Chris Craft is way to red though, it would certainly look interesting!

At one point you could order the "varnish" and stain from MB according to the EPC, but not anymore.

I looked at this wood, its damn near impossible to get a factory finish. Stripping it and not busting through the veneer is a PITA, I used a heat gun. Its very difficult because the margin between the finish popping off, and burning the wood is pretty small. I would not sand it much, maybe with 220 at most. The veneer is very thin. Getting the color even isn't to bad, but MB sprays the wood in a booth, with what looks like poly. There finish is totaly dust free which is amazing.

If you want to refinish it yourself I would do it Rolls Royce style with actual varnish, and darken it up to hide all the dust and brushing imperfections. Maybe use cetol even.

compress ignite · #12 01-07-2008, 11:58 PM

RAHULIO1989300E

has a great pictorial with instructions!

BodhiBenz1987 · #13 01-08-2008, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I looked at this wood, its damn near impossible to get a factory finish. Stripping it and not busting through the veneer is a PITA, I used a heat gun. Its very difficult because the margin between the finish popping off, and burning the wood is pretty small. I would not sand it much, maybe with 220 at most. The veneer is very thin. Getting the color even isn't to bad, but MB sprays the wood in a booth, with what looks like poly. There finish is totaly dust free which is amazing.

Tell me about it ... I've been stripping my console pieces for about two months now. I got a lot of it off chemically (probably 20+ coats of stripper, each left overnight in bags), but for the past couple weeks have been razorblading it off and carefully sanding. I pulled out one chunk of veneer with the finish, about 3mmX2mm ... I spent the next half-hour seperating that broken-off chunk from the finish so I can glue it back in. I'm getting really close to having both pieces bare (not bothering with the ashtray since I ousted it for a boost gauge). Now I can take on the finish color ... doesn't have to be dead-on since there are no original-finish pieces left in the car. I'm planning on buying an HVLP gun and hitting it with pre-cat laquer. Old stuff was definately a polyester or plastic, and there's no way I have the means to put that kind of finish on it. Nitrocell seems to soft for the job so I'm hoping precat will do better for me. What a project ...