The purpose of this thread is to test and document a wood refinishing strategy that can be used for Mercedes interior wood in a DIY manner.
The theory is to strip the wood of all the original finish in as easy and safe manner as possible, prepare the wood for a new finish and apply an automotive clear coat as the final finish. Research shows that this is the method used for very high end corporate jet wood interiors which look spectacular.
Ncwitte was kind enough to furnish his old 107 console and ash tray wood to the project. Thanks!! :thumbsup:
So here is the starting wood which is the subject of this project.
The wood is actually in pretty good condition. Most of the problems are with the finish, so no re-veneering or wood repair is needed for these items.
There is some cracking and crazing and delamination of the finish, but nothing too serious.
The first step is to prepare the wood by removing all the plastic components from the item. I discovered that acetone will turn plastic to gel and stain any wood it comes in contact with. The shift surround is removed by very gently prying it away from the wood. It will come right off, but the old glue can be a bit intractable and pull some of the wood with it. This is not a problem as when it is glued back on, it will go in the same place.
Here's the ash tray wood showing the same kind of cracking as the console piece.
The first step is to soak the wood in acetone. It is imperative to have a sealed container as the acetone is extremely volatile. Just enough acetone to contact the finish is all that is needed.
After 24 hours most of the finish has flaked off on its own.
Another 24 hours should do it, plus additional time for the curved portion of the console that will require the container to be tipped to contact that surface.
There is no need for scraping or any other mechanical process. With patience, literally every spec of finish flakes off.
Acetone does not affect the wood or the glue used in the plywood substrate.
Next update when the finish is totally removed.
The theory is to strip the wood of all the original finish in as easy and safe manner as possible, prepare the wood for a new finish and apply an automotive clear coat as the final finish. Research shows that this is the method used for very high end corporate jet wood interiors which look spectacular.
Ncwitte was kind enough to furnish his old 107 console and ash tray wood to the project. Thanks!! :thumbsup:
So here is the starting wood which is the subject of this project.
The wood is actually in pretty good condition. Most of the problems are with the finish, so no re-veneering or wood repair is needed for these items.
There is some cracking and crazing and delamination of the finish, but nothing too serious.
The first step is to prepare the wood by removing all the plastic components from the item. I discovered that acetone will turn plastic to gel and stain any wood it comes in contact with. The shift surround is removed by very gently prying it away from the wood. It will come right off, but the old glue can be a bit intractable and pull some of the wood with it. This is not a problem as when it is glued back on, it will go in the same place.
Here's the ash tray wood showing the same kind of cracking as the console piece.
The first step is to soak the wood in acetone. It is imperative to have a sealed container as the acetone is extremely volatile. Just enough acetone to contact the finish is all that is needed.
After 24 hours most of the finish has flaked off on its own.
Another 24 hours should do it, plus additional time for the curved portion of the console that will require the container to be tipped to contact that surface.
There is no need for scraping or any other mechanical process. With patience, literally every spec of finish flakes off.
Acetone does not affect the wood or the glue used in the plywood substrate.
Next update when the finish is totally removed.