My newest interior mod. The momo Shift knob! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ashman · #1 06-17-2002, 07:09 PM

I have covered the wood too, and I like how it looks. IT probably isn't for everyone's tastes, but to me it looks nice.

Don't get me wrong, I love the wood, but I like the aluminum finish better from a modern point of view, plus when the wood is cracked so bad it looks like a spiderweb, covering it was my only option as a cheap reapir, plus it matches the shiftknob so nicely.

Everythign I do has a purpose. in this case, I loved the shift knob, and bought it in anticipation of the aluminum trim mod, which is not hard to do, and removable if I decide to go back to the wood.

Alon

Holson Adi · #2 06-17-2002, 07:53 PM

It looks good! I really like that shift knob!

I just installed a shift knob for my car too but it's Zebrano and cost me $50. However, I think it's very well worth it.

Too bad my shift surround wood is badly cracked....
If only they had Zebrano sheets then I'd cover mine too!
(I think aluminum trim on a w123 diesel would look really awkward.. :p )

What did you do to the radio faceplate then?
Are you goin' to "aluminize" it too?

Ashman · #3 06-17-2002, 08:27 PM

no, the pioneer premier 840mp that I am getting is housed ina silver aluminum look casing.

Alon

Snibble · #4 06-17-2002, 08:39 PM

Nice!!!

By the way Alon... I saw a black 300CE this morning on the way to a bank. Driven by a 16 year old girl.... hope she takes care of it.

BenzOnline · #5 06-17-2002, 10:39 PM

I love it!! It sortive looks like the new C class shifter but with no leather at the base and that is a nice shifter from Benz. How much was the shifter knob?

300EVIL · #6 06-17-2002, 11:02 PM

Alon,
Looks Awesome!

Is that aluminum paint or is it aluminum formed sheets? I am very interested in your mod.
Adam

#7 06-17-2002, 11:39 PM

looks mighty nice!!!

Did you cover the veneer strips on the dash and door panels too??

#8 06-18-2002, 12:40 AM

Alon, this looks very nice, I am extremely impressed with it's looks - equally as much as your nerve to actually do that. By the way, how DID you do that? Did you also do the other panels on the dash and door? Do you guys think it would look good on a 126 like mine?

The Warden · #9 06-18-2002, 01:01 AM

Noticing people replacin' shifter knobs, I was just wondering...is there an online catalog with pictures showing what's available from any distributor?

I'm most likely going to be getting a W123 diesel once the van sells, but I've always liked the leather/wood shifter knobs the newer E-class cars have...if something similar could be found to match the interior color (tan, I believe) on the one I've been looking at and can be fitted onto the shaft...

Ashman · #10 06-18-2002, 01:08 AM

Well since you all want to know my secret, its simple. I'll answer all those questions in a sec...

1. The shiftknob is a momo Combat Metal. I bought a shift knob adapter shaft from performce products,a nd the shiftknob at the same time. It was $102.00 for both. $15.00 for the shaft. $70.00 or so for the knob, plus the 8% tax.

2. I had to cut about an inch off the shaft for the momo to fit right. I also had to make a hole in one of the extra rubber bushings that comes with it, and inverted it on the sfat to remove any forward/back play movement in the shifter.

3. The aluminum trim is actually not aluminum. It is Silver finish Sign Vinyl, which is sticky on one side. Applyign it like window tint, you use soapy water and a plastic flat tool to squeeze out the bubbles. You cut it with a razor blade or xacto knife. This stuff can be had cheap. I think I paid less than $15.00 for a 24" x 300" roll of the aluminum. They also have holographic, carbon fibre, pink green blue red you name it. Search Ebay for vinyl sign plotter, vinyl sign, and carbon fiber vinyl and you should come up with many to choose from. Next I may do carbon fiber.

4. It is removable and leaves no residue form what I can tell after having had the wood vinyl on my radio for about a year or more, it came off clean no residue at all.

5. You can use a blow dryer when applying it around hard bends to make it go around the bends with ease.

6. http://www.ebaystores.com/id=6081801 is the ebay store I got mine from. good prices. I actually paid for a 12" x 300" roll but they sent me a 24"x300" roll instead. I have tons of this stuff left over. I used maybe 24 inches by 24" if not a little more, and I still have a huge roll of it left.

If you look at mine up close, you will see that it isn't perfect, I did it quickly, in less than an hour, but it still looks great. With black interior it should look even better.

NOTE: If your wood is cracked, the vinyl will not hide them, they will show behind the vinyl. So if you have cracks, the only way to get them to not show would be to sand them. I don't recommend sanding them. I sanded my center shift console wood for a while, and I barely broke the surface. There is quite a thick top coating on the wood, which is why if taken care of it lasts for a long long time.

Good luck and thanks for the wonderful comments.

Alon

Ashman · #11 06-18-2002, 01:17 AM

Just to inform you guys how much I like this stuff, I have gloss black and black carbon fiber on the way of this stuff too.

Alon

#12 06-19-2002, 12:06 AM

Cool. Heads up much appreciated. Lot's of dudes out there that wouldn't be willing to give us the info...

Ashman · #13 06-19-2002, 01:27 AM

I'm all about sharing the know with my fellow mercedes enthusiasts.

For those that prefer the wood, they will dismiss it for their wood but may find it useful for other things.

For those that like the mod and want to do somethign to theirs, will try it. It is removable and shouldn't hurt the wood at all. If you want to hide cracks you will have to sand the wood, but if you just recover it, the cracks can be hidden somewhat.

There are many to choose from, but most will probably gow ith aluminum silver or carbon fiber. If you search around, you may even find carbon fiber in different shades. I would have loved a creme and black carbon fiber looking one.

For those that like gold trim on the car, you can get gold vinyl and over lay some gold look over the wood. It comes in various finishes, like satin, glossy and flat gold.

I am probably going to accent some of the pieces with the carbon fiber.

I will still be removing all the wood from the car so I can do it easier. The center console was ok, the ashtray easy, the aircon cluster, a bit tricky witht he bends and getting bubbles all the way out. The dash and door panel wood was covered int he car, so some of the things like corners aren't 100% clean, but a little trimming carefully will fix that.

Alon

The Warden · #14 06-19-2002, 04:39 AM

I took a look around Performance Products' site (www.************************, right?), and couldn't find the shifter knob or the adaptor.

I'm guessing I missed it? Or maybe they don't have anything like that available for a W123 (that's what I looked under)...what heading was it under?

Thanks!

#15 06-19-2002, 08:44 AM

How much is the carbon fiber stuff? I think it would good on my BMW because it's something other than gray plastic. It looks good Alon very nice job. Did you have much trouble with air bubbles?
What do you guys think would look better burl,carbon fiber, alm.?