I am getting ready to start refinishing the wood on the dash of my 1972 250C. The wood appears to be in fair shape, but the finish (varnish?) is crumbling off.

My plan is to remove the wood from the dash and glovebox, sand the wood smooth, and then apply some type of varnish and stain. I took a lunch time trip to Home Depot, but none of the finishes looked like what I was after.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what type of finish to use?

I redid my dash wood on my 1970 250c about a year ago. I stripped the old finish off with spray paint remover and then lightly sanded with 220 grit and then 360 grit to get a smooth finish. The vaneer is extremely thin be careful. I tried several different spray finishes but was not happy with the outcome. I wound up restripping and taking them to one of my daughters friends father who has a cabinet refinishing shop. He used a catalyzed polyurethane after spraying with several coats of sanding sealer. They look great. The materials are very expensive unless you can buy in bulk. I would look for a local cabinet/furniture refinisher who can spray them for you.

Rick,

Is there any chance you could send me a picture of the dash? I'd like to see about what it should look like.

I usually use stripper to get the finish all the way down the wood. I don't sand the zebrano, the grains appear to be at different heights and I don't want to dull them. I don't use a stain either, I like it natural. For the main finish, I prefer catalysed urethane. In short, regular automotive clearcoat, available whereever your local body shop buys their paint from. I only use a spray gun to apply, spray cans are always 1k and I've never tried using a brush on it.

I have used {deft} it is a lacquer base.Yet it is water prof. 3-coats,wet sand 240 {tint if desired} in next 3-coats,wet sand 600,3-coat.This does not look plastic.You can buy any color you want.doing this way,you always have,real wood under neath.

I followed the advice of a site devoted to this issue & it worked:
DO NOT USE SAND PAPER. Use steel wool 000 0r 0000 after stripping the old finish w/Jasco or something similar. This may take 3 applications. DO NOT USE SANDPAPER. To restain use Minwax Red Mahogany or plain Mahogany. After achieving the desired color tone, smooth w/steel wool. DO NOT USE SANDPAPER. Then use minwax clear, a couple of coats, and lightly smooth w/steel wool. DO NOT USE SANDPAPER.

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Don't Chrome them; polish them

I use either tung oil or Danish oil. Just give it a quick swipe with a fresh rag every 6 months or so. The beauty of using an oil finish is if it needs to be removed, a wipe down with denatured alcohol does the trick.

Can you direct me to the site for more information? I will be at this point eventually on my 3.5 coupe and am considering different options for refinishing.
Tkanks.

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Tony H
W111 280SE 3.5 Coupe
Manual transmission

Past cars:
Porsche 914 2.0
'64 Jaguar XKE Roadster
'57 Oval Window VW
'71 Toyota Hilux Pickup Truck-Dad bought new
'73 Toyota Celica GT

I will try to post some pictures of the dash this weekend. The guy who finished my dash is named Mark Spraque. His company name is California Finish and he can be reached at 909 579 0258 or california_finish@verizone.net . I'm sure he would be happy to either suggest the materials or even quote you a price.

here is a picture of the dash. I guess I need to do the wheel next.

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THAT is sweeettt! I'm restoring a 280C and I know where I'm sending my dash wood now! Thanks for the info!

Heck, I might even pull my wife's wood back off and send it to him.

Tony_H, Sorry, I no longer have the address. I found it about 6 months ago by googling "mercedes wood refinishing."

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Don't Chrome them; polish them

Try this product.
$20 per can it is a two part catalyzed urethane.
good for wood, rims etc.
goes on very smooth like shooting with a gun.
it is very very tough and does not yellow.
enough in one can to do 70 or more coats on your wood so get on the go and set up other stuff you want to finish coat in order to use the can up.
I did 10 coats on my rims and there was still some left over.

Spray Max 2K rapid cut-in spot clear coat

part no. 3 680 062

I went to the car paint shop thinking to buy clear coat and catalyst for a gun $80+) and the guy steered me to this product.

USE A GOOD MASK DO NOT BREATHE THE STUFFFF

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

I just bought a 1995 E420 - needs some polishing - and a shine

Just never thought of "painting" the wheels.

Yes, the dash wood has some cracks - your suggestions are appreciated.

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Thanks for the help
Bill Fisher

'86 560SL (186K) - Now a 'classic' : Registered as an Historic Vehicle
02 E430 in the stable
'14 LS460 (Lexus)
- - - - -
'95 E420 (198K) found a new home
'99 E320 (80K) (gave it's life for me as we hit a bumper)
'95 E420 (231K) Sold to a happy buyer, new to Mercedes
'90 300E (65K) Sold to an Mercedes Lover
'92 190E (215K) - retired to the salvage yard
'93 500SEL (214K) - Moved to another family, still runs like a young pup

Thanks for the help everyone. I was able to refinish the wood this weekend and I am quite pleased with the outcome.