Hi
Is there anyone that have tried to refurbish the walnut wood trim?

 

People have discussed this in several threads. Here's one... https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...wood-trim.html

Bottom line concensus is that the finish veneer layer is too thin to simply sand and refinish. You're welcome to try, but I'd recommend doing so on a spare piece you can throw away without remorse.

Other opinions welcome...

 

vinyl wrapping them is the best option in my opinion. I did my woodgrain pieces, steering wheel trim cover and steering wheel buttons in the same "forged carbon" vinyl.

 

I never really comment on looks, but maybe it's just the sunlight but it looks horrible. Reminds me of dazzle paint on warships in WWI.

 

Wrapping seems like the best option. I think that I have seen some nice wood wraps.

 

LOL!!!

yeah, pics don't do it justice. It's not for everyone, but I do get lots of compliments when people get into the car(I drive Uber sometimes...just for fun and reactions). It was very cheap($50) material and I had never wrapped anything before, so I didn't want to waste a bunch of money if I screwed it all up. I have plans to replace it with a black, textured "dry" woodgrain vinyl soon, since it turned out so well.

 

I wonder how wrapping them in a glossy light tint would look. Keeps the same pattern and darkens it at the same time.

 

smooth matte dark grey

 

The fading occurs under the existing gloss finish. If I understand your idea is to cover it with another glossy, transparent tint (that allows the wood pattern below to remain visible), then I think the fading will continue to progress. So, I don't think such a wrap will camouflage the fading. Maybe I misunderstand what you suggest.

 

The tint would make the ash pattern on the wood black. The tint like the ones that used in cars is purplish.

 

OK, I understand, now. Thanks.

 

Anyone have experience with hydro dipping?

 

I wrapped mine in glossy black and it looks good overall and wasn't too hard to do, but there's a few spots where the vinyl keeps pulling up. It's probably just a testament to my wrapping skills, but I'm planning on pulling it off and airbrushing it at some point.

 

Excellent question. But that before and after video shows little on how it's done... Here is a better video showing the DIY process...


As you can see, the process requires a dipping tank bigger than the part being dipped. For the dash piece in the W212, this tank would need to be very long. An old bath tub might fit. So the setup equipment is a challenge.

The second challenge is that the car trim has chromed edging. I don't know if you can dip the entire piece, then trim away the dip that covers the chrome without ruining the job.

I think this concept is good, and I have seen beautiful work on gun stocks, etc. However, this may not be a good DIY project. I would send pictures of the pieces to be done to a company specializing in hydro-dipping to ask the question on the Chrome trim, how rugged the finish is in the sun, and their cost for the complete job, etc. It may turn out to be cheaper done by a pro...

 

It's technically possible to separate the wood pieces from the rest of the trim, fwiw. The plastic standoffs on the wood is melted onto the rest of the frame. You'd just have to find a good way to reattach them when you're done.

 

for long skinny pieces, you could make a 'tank' by splitting a 6" or whatever diameter plastic drain pipe in half the long way, and gluing half caps on both ends. this way you don't need to waste a lot of whatever it is you are dipping in.

 

Not my styling but it's super cool

Thanks for sharing

 

yeah I concur. I'd really like to see how that would come out if it was done in the right shade of cool (sport) or warm (luxury) grey to match and transition the rest of the dashboard, with a smooth ultra-matte finish, not shine, but very smooth.

 

I've ordered some 3m Di Noc samples of several black/dark woods so I'll be changing mine to something else soon(I like the "dry" textured wood grain that you can feel the pattern). Probably re-do the switches in some regular 3m Di Noc Carbon Fiber vinyl as well, and remove the wrap from the silver steering wheel trim. I'll post up pics when I'm done.

 

Interesting to read about your steering wheel. I think that's the only thing that is overdone. With a standard appearing wheel, I think the rest of your wrap project is fine. I bet it looks even nicer in person.

Some people have chrome edges to either side of the center console, like mine. I think the chrome would complement your wrap well. But if yours were in wood, I can see wrapping those.

 

Well, it looks to me like it came out awesome, great work, look forward to seeing the new stuff when you get that done. Plus, I bet your better now than last time! I liked the last one, maybe a little much on the wheel, but still very cool!

 

All of my pieces are "wood", no silver or chrome on trim other than the steering wheel and trim accents throughout the car.
I agree 100% on the wheel wrap, too. That is actually a new factory "metal" trim piece on the steering wheel. I replaced it because the metal plating was peeling on the edge and cut my thumb one day while turning...lol
I purposefully did the steering wheel, and did it 1st, because I knew it was going to be the most difficult part. I only had to wrap it twice as well. 1st time I didn't stretch it between the bottom spokes(6 o'clock) enough to cover and wrap both spokes. 2nd time was much better and the experience helped out immensely when doing all the other pieces. My buttons were peeling and turning white, so I'll have no choice but to wrap them, or replace them...and I'm not too keen on replacing them. Rather just wrap em. We'll see though, I'll make my final decision when the samples come in.

 

i think the silver strips on either side of the center console are a facelift thing.