Attempted Wood Refinishing
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
Attempted Wood Refinishing
I thought I would give refinishing my wood a shot. I picked up a few pieces at a junk yard for almost nothing so I figured ... "what the heck" it will just be a waste of my time and a learning process.
So here is my story so far ...
So here is my story so far ...
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
Next up ...
Was the chemical stripper ... it was easy to spray on and then wipe off with steal wool. I used a putty knife to gently drag all the heavy debris off. I didn't take any pictures of this part as it was smelly and I was worried for my cameras health.
Here it is after it was stripped and cleaned with cold water.
then i sanded it with 320 and then 600 grit, just to knock down the fuzz that raised from the water wash.
Here it is after it was stripped and cleaned with cold water.
then i sanded it with 320 and then 600 grit, just to knock down the fuzz that raised from the water wash.
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
I am applying a laquer over the stain as the protective and "clear" coats. It is drying now from the stain and I will start on the clear tomorrow, but I went with a spray can as I read several struggels (including yours ps2cho) with brush on and sanding. I really like the way marine wood finish looks so I went and researched that technique.
We will see how this comes out ... I have two other center shifter pieces if I totally screw this up. I tested out the laquer on another piece of wood and it looks amazing .. so I have my fingers crossed.
We will see how this comes out ... I have two other center shifter pieces if I totally screw this up. I tested out the laquer on another piece of wood and it looks amazing .. so I have my fingers crossed.
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
The Jasco aerosol stripper. It took about ten times being applied and took almost everything off clean. There was one spot at the bottom I ended up sanding the rest of the clear off, but it came out fine.
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1994 E320 M104
thanks for the response, if you have not started the finish coats, I would highly recommend you put on 2 coats of sealer (minwax is good), otherwise the wood will absorb the varnish and raise the grain, you will be sanding for a long time....
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E
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
My plastic parts were stapled and glued. I only lifted the staples from the wood (with an awl) but left them in the plastic. Then I very carefully lifted the plastic (that goes around all the switches) with a tiny flathead screw driver.
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
Update to my progress ...
So after cleaning it all up and getting a coat of stain on the wood I started on the clear.
This is with two coats.
Then I realized I fotgot tp sand it again AFTER the stain. Dammit.
Sanded (alomst everything off) and smooth, back to adding clear. 10x coats later
Sanded again to get the waves out ... then another 10x coats.
Here it is before the final sanding ... about 20x coats.
I have to sand it one more time ... then I think it will be time for the final shine.
This is with two coats.
Then I realized I fotgot tp sand it again AFTER the stain. Dammit.
Sanded (alomst everything off) and smooth, back to adding clear. 10x coats later
Sanded again to get the waves out ... then another 10x coats.
Here it is before the final sanding ... about 20x coats.
I have to sand it one more time ... then I think it will be time for the final shine.
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
I am using a rustoleum spray laquer. It can be reapplied every few minutes without any extra prep or major drying time.
The sandpaper is 320 for the rough and 600 wet/dry for the finish. I will put up a pic of the whole tool set I used.
I am going to try to take a better pic of the depth. It really looks thick now.
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E
Well I bought a spray lacquer and dug out my piece. I am on my 8th coat right now and I tell you it really is 10x easier...Man...LOL
I plan to do 50-60 coats I think. I want a real deep coat
Will post pictures tomorrow. It flashes real fast in the sun 
1min between each coat.
I plan to do 50-60 coats I think. I want a real deep coat
Will post pictures tomorrow. It flashes real fast in the sun 1min between each coat.
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
I will tell you right off the stain I used does NOT match the original pieces. It is really close but doesn't have the red in it that it needs.
I am going to try to find a formula for mixing the stain I bought with something like a cherry stain to see if I can match it closer to the original.
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From: Houston
300E
let me know what u come up with.
i did this on my old 300E 4 door and it came out nice just didnt put alot of layers on the clear cause when i was close to done i sold it. now i wanna do it on my wagon but the right way 20+ layers
i did this on my old 300E 4 door and it came out nice just didnt put alot of layers on the clear cause when i was close to done i sold it. now i wanna do it on my wagon but the right way 20+ layers
