Hmmm, next time I'm in Portland, I should swing by Gilmer Woods and pick up a chunk of zebrano (or zebra wood as everyone but Mercedes calls it) so I can match the trim. I've been thinking about doing a steering wheel as well, but I think I'd have to steam a board into a hoop to make the stripes look right. The myrtle looks pretty good though. My dad has several of those trees on his property - OT, but you can use the leaves as a substitute for bay leaves in soups and such.

my key

My key head is 99% superglue.

Nice, is it oak?

What's the other 1%. Pure gold:D

My new key head finally gave up. I understood the key is steel. That led down this path.

1/8" hot rolled flat stock. :D The next one will look prettier. I had 4 copies around so I did some mig welding this morning. First dremeled off some of the flashed chrome from the flange and lit it up.

It is sorta like when all you have is a hammer then everything is a nail. I have a mig welder and a plasma cutter. :P

nice! ya might wanna go my route, and stamp an MB logo on there, then POR-15 it for some glossy black protection!

Here's my lastest key creation. Made with Zebra wood for a member here, the second one I've made for him.
I still haven't perfected the stain color yet. I need to get it right so I can refinish some interior wood.

http://people.oregonstate.edu/~lindg...ood_Key_02.jpg

I'm normally not that into wood and have zero desire to add any more wood to my interior, but...

This key gives me wood in my pants...

If you decide you need one I'm happy to make one.

It wears pretty good. I put 7 or 8 coats of clear polyurethane on it. If it wears down you hit is with some steal wool and put another coat on and it's good as new.

Here is the latest key for member toomany MBZ. The stain is a getting closer. It's tough to get zebra wood to take stain.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1326752028

When I have to stain zebra wood to match the interior wood in the Benz, this is what I do. I use walnut stain. The stain manufacturer states not to let it dry but to wipe it off. I let it dry at least 24-48 hrs. Then i come back with alcohol and remove what I want. For me it works every time.

I bought some of this stuff from Michaels and am going to test it on an extra couple pieces I have laying around, but it might do good as a dip for the key...

Envirotex Lite® 16oz Kit, Pour On High Gloss Finish $14.53

My dealer supplied key broke out after 6 months. I returned it, and they ordered me a replacement at no cost.

It's nice that they're willing to replace them, but I bet it will brake after several month as well.

I think something like that is my next approach. After talking with some folks at the hardwood store, they brought up that the wood may not be stained at all and just has some kind of epoxy clear coat, like your link.

I actually posted on the Classic Center's Facebook site to see if they'd reveal the secrete...NOPE...not even a response.