well the problem is real easy to fix. buy some zebrano veneers and glue them over it, then finish it off with some lacquer.

Zebrano
 

Man,
You guys really like Zebrano. I was going for the spacecraft look. Let me know where I can get the right stuff and I'll make it.

Thanks

-jon

I liked the carbon fiber ones somebody here was making a while back. If I were going to do that, though, I'd take all the wood out and make it all the same material.

Please do not use fake crappy plastic "wood" its so stupid and cheap. (And people wonder why I dislike Cadillacs)

yes but real wood veneer would price this way above the "diesel" crowd price range. so rather than polished aluminum, whats the next step. even fake wood looks better than cracked seperated and faded real wood I have now

I would consider that in Zebrano as well.


Your next project: W123 AC ventilated seats.:D

no it wouldn't, you can get zebrano veneers very cheap. There are some on ebay for 10 dollars and its 11 sq. ft. and then if you buy it from the manufacturer its only like 11 dollars a sq. ft. Thats not alot of money.

I really like that chrome look, dieselkid.

Do you make that in a W116 300SD model?

Yeah, you could definately veneer that for a reasonable price ... I made a custom panel for my boost guage with real zebrano veneer and also refinished the wood on the shiftgate and cc ... it all matches, and it wasn't that expensive. I got the zebrano on eBay for <$15 IIRC, including shipping. Then just play around with stains until you get something pretty and lacquer (I used Magnalac w/ paint gun but you could use something even cheaper in a spray can).

That said, if you like the aluminum look, just stick with that. It's your car! Personally I like the wood, but the aluminum has a unique look, and if it suits you, who cares what the rest of us prefer?

As for my cupholder ... I purchased a fine, high-line plastic cupholder from Pep Boys for $3.99.;) It goes on the vents above the cc panel. Maybe not the classiest part of my car, but it looks very subtle and it has nobly carried my Starbucks for a few years now.

so after the cost of the aluminum, the machining and bend, cost of the veneer, fitting glueing up veneer, then sand, stain and clear coat. sounds like $29 to me :rolleyes:

I've been considering something similar but thought I'd cover it in matching MBtex blue fabric.

Opinions?

Don't really like the thought of it, but I guess you could buy a used color matched door panel, strip off the material and use that.

Cecily has done the wood work herself and it looks near professional! As mentioned the materials were not that costly but the labor involved might raise the price. It would be worth it to look like her finished project!
The aluminum would be fine in a different kind of car. These are not aluminum or carbon fiber candidates. Certain W124's might be OK if everything was done in the same material, but a whole lot of wood and one glaring piece of polished aluminum gives a very cheesy look. Not due to the craftsmanship of the console piece, but because of the unmatched look it would give the cockpit....

can I get one in burl walnut

If you made one in the black plastic style I'd consider buying it.

black krinkle would look great, or maybie instead of making it out of alluminum, steel and having it powdercoated?