New prices for W126 Zebrano Wood from MB Dealer
 

FYI and to share with all my Mercedes buds. I was quoted prices from my local MB Dealer for new W126 Zebrano Wood (color stain 2317):

126 680 29 71 - 3-piece set- this is the long wood trim strip under the instrument cluster, glove box cover wood and small right angle wood piece. $724.54

126 680 86 39
126 680 84 39 - climate control area wood, depends on sunroof switch. $167.21


Over the holidays, I reglued my glove box wood and trim strip wood with 3M adhesive remover followed by 3M super weatherstrip adhesive (yellow). Excellent hold, better than epoxy which failed. Still wood like the new ones though but ooch!

I am seeing what Drew at Heritage Woodworks would charge to darken and redo my climate control wood.

I can't remember where I got the quote from, but it was from an outfit I found through "The Star". I was quoted $200 to do the ash tray and center console for my W116. I had made an attempt at repairing the usual cracks. I lightly sanded the surface and then applied some clear urethane. Well, can you say fisheyes. I guess what MB used in 1980 was lacquer shellac, which does not agree with urethane. I would sand it all down to the wood, but I don't know what color stain to use to match the wood in the dash.
I haven't had it done as of yet, but someday I'll get it done.

Rick

I read somewhere that you can get close with a 50% Wattle Traditional Cedar and 50% Cabots Walnut (both oil based).

Now where to find? Lowes does not sell these bands. Home Depot?

I may attempt the climate control piece but are the coats thin and what type of finish? Clear Coat Lacquer spray? Polyurethane? Acrylic Enamel?

I have a feeling that I could mess this project up and end up ordering the $167.00 piece. If I remember correctly, Drew wanted $80.00+ to do this one piece.

James, since I replied to your posting, I revisited Drew's Heritage website, and it was he who I got the $200 quote from. At first I was floored at the price, for just 2 pieces of wood. Then I got thinking about all the time involved in refinishing wood. Especially when you're trying to fix other people's mistakes, ie: mine with urethane. Since getting that quote for my W116, I have since bought a W123 wagon, which it's interior is in much better condition. It's center console isn't crack but some of the finish has chipped away, from around the mirror and power window switches. Also there are some scuff marks and such. I might have him refiinsh this piece.

try a salvage yard. There is a place here in st. pete called rick's european that will often get in totalled w126's, and they may sell you all of the wood from the car for the same price as one of the new peices. It makes take some time for the right car to come in, but rest assured it will. They also ship, if interested let me know and i'll get you their telephone number.
R

Yes Ryan, please get me Petes phone number, although some of the salvage pieces need regluing or have some cracks so I would be in the same boat I am in now.

Rick, Drew's web site says he uses six coats of satin polyester, would this be the polyurethane?

The best stuff to glue the wood is from 3-M, it's a double backed tape for molding, if it will hold on exterior moldings it will hold the wood to your dash. I re-did some loose pieces about a year ago and it's still solid. You can use more than one layer of tape if the center of the molding is recessed.
As for fish-eyes in the urethane it most likely was caused by silicone, "armorall" etc. you have to remove all traces of it and then throw away the rags before you sand.
jerryb

0k, Heritage woodworks just quoted me $110.00 and two weeks....that is too close to a brand new $167.00 piece that I would rather have the new. I am going to try Phil at parts shop.

I may just strip,restain and reclearcoat the piece myself and if I screw up buy new one.