Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: toml on April 30, 2007, 09:24:28
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Having replaced my dried cracked somewhat rotten wood that my pagoda had when I bought it, I don't want a repeat with the new french walnut (gorgeous by the way)!
So, how should I care for it? (product brand? and regimen?)
Bonus points for recommending a commonly available (USA or Canada) product as opposed to exotic german-import only $50/oz oils.
Here comes the sun! (it's alright!)
TomL, Portland, OR
1964 230SL Euro 4-speed Silver+Black w/ Red Interior
1973 280C DOHC Metalic Blue w/ Tan interior
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Tom,
I think one of the most essential things is to simply avoid U-V explosure. Unfortunately, the wood is positioned in a particularly vulnerable way for sunlight damage.
Buy a cockpit cover. That's one of those covers that just covers the interior when it's parked in a sunny spot.
Douglas Kim
New York
USA
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That's for parking Doug. But we should spend more time driving in the sun than parking in the sun. I park in my garage but I do have a cockpit cover too if I were going to park outside (at my house though... i couldn't really bring myself to cover up like that at work, or in public... both because it seems dorky and it prevents showing off the car ;)
Seriously though, you still have to condition the wood every so often with something, don't you?
TomL, Portland, OR
1964 230SL Euro 4-speed Silver+Black w/ Red Interior
1973 280C DOHC Metalic Blue w/ Tan interior
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Personally, I like zymol car wax on wood. Just enough to form a barrier between the wood and any dirt that lands on it.
Douglas Kim
New York
USA
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Tom,
I use Goddard's cabinet makers wax. It is an English product that costs about 12 bucks for 5 ounces. It really brings out the color of the wood after several applications. You can find this at Rockler woodworking in Beaverton Town Square.
Bill Lindquist
280 SL
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Tom,
Did the wood come with any finish on it?
If not I would use a good exterior marine varnish. Thin the first coat 50% then full thickness for the next 5 coats, yes thats 6 coats. You must sand between each coat also. Marine varnish has great UV protection. When complete wait a week before creating a less glossy finish w/ 00 or 0000 steel wool.
Having a wooden sailboat and living in the tropics I've had a bit of experience with UV.
Jim Saylor
Kauai, Hawaii
'65 230SL
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My car is garaged most of the time, like most of our cars. So I did what Douglas recommends: I put on a coat of simple wood wax on my new dashboard wood when I bought it, unfinished, now about 7 years ago. The wood still looks like the day I put it in.
Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic