Author Topic: Restoring the wood bows  (Read 4980 times)

johnk

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #25 on: March 17, 2022, 21:37:30 »
So a little off subject but not completely, is the box on the transmission tunnel suppose to be walnut veneer or just gel stained to look like it?  I sanded mine and the grain finish is coming off completely. I realize now that the grain finish on it was all in the stain not the wood underneath.
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540

Pinder

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #26 on: March 17, 2022, 23:32:44 »
im not sure what color stain to use. I have Minwax Ebony that looks similar to what is on the hidden part of the ash tray area. i guess it looks like what is described as wenge.  But if i look at the color of the hard top wood which is original to the car the wood is more on the redish brown side. My interior is dark brown MB tex and i think the ebony will look nice with it. ill try it on the scraps of walnut i have left then pic the one i like.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

lreppond

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #27 on: March 18, 2022, 01:47:52 »
DB described it as “dark walnut” which would be a dark brown with very slight reddish under tones.  What I received from Madera is just that and matches the hardtop trim which is original and in fine condition. 

This wood trim, in my opinion, was never intended to stand out as was the case of the w111 or w100 of the same period.  It wasn’t finished to the high gloss level either.  So I’d look at the speaker grill and hardtop and use them as a guide in selecting the stain. 

Ebony is to me, a deep charcoal color.  Think a grand piano!  Wenge has definite purplish under tones.  Neither seem appropriate to me but it’s not my car.  You’ve done excellent work so far and I’m confident you’ll make the right call on this as well. 

Please share pix of your results.
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

johnk

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #28 on: March 19, 2022, 05:17:44 »
Thanks gents but my question is what wood is it veneered in? Mine does not appear to be veneered in walnut and I would need to use a gel stain to imitate the walnut grain in a similar color.
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540

lreppond

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #29 on: March 19, 2022, 17:44:45 »
I’m reasonably certain that all wood trim in the w113s were done in veneered walnut including the center console. The exception is the bottom of the console which appears to be pine or fir.  I have several old console trays and you can actually see the veneer delaminating from the base wood materials.

I’m not certain any stain, gel or otherwise, can make the substrate wood look like walnut since the graining is so different.  I guess it’s worth a try but after all you’ve gone through with your car, I’d go with reveneering it. 
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

Pinder

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #30 on: March 19, 2022, 19:30:51 »
When I sanded the console box it is definitely walnut vaneer. It looks like the top edges of the box are small strips of vaneer and I can see the tiny joins. I am going to attempt  to vaneer just the top edges and possibly sides.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

Pinder

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #31 on: March 22, 2022, 00:43:42 »
I went and bought some wood stain in dark walnut and a can of poly satin finish.  that will be my project for next weekend. will post results of all the wood stained. then poly coated.

In the mean time I managed to recover the dash with MB tex to take care of 2 small cracks.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

mdsalemi

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #32 on: March 22, 2022, 13:41:33 »
I went and bought some wood stain in dark walnut and a can of poly satin finish...

I hope you use an exterior grade poly satin finish; an interior grade will not stand up to the UV, and will probably yellow and deteriorate quickly. Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane comes to mind as one commonly available in most home centers. Probably even a greater selection at a marine store...
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
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cfm65@me.com

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #33 on: March 22, 2022, 16:44:34 »
Well done, Pinder
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Pinder

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #34 on: March 23, 2022, 00:26:29 »
ill be going back to get the minwax exterior grade. I was thinking that when i was there then went for interior. Luckly I have been procrastinating.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

Pinder

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #35 on: April 03, 2022, 00:19:05 »
So I have finished the refurbishment of the dash bows, speaker grill and center console. See picks for final result.

I used dark walnut for the stain and semi gloss poly for the finish. 4 coats then wet sand 400 grit, 0000 steel wool then carwax (caranuba)
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

Pinder

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #36 on: April 03, 2022, 00:21:54 »
While I had the bows out I also re covered the dash which  had two small cracks in it with MB Text vinyl. It came out really nice. I did remove the cloth from the back so it could be stretched around curves. It came out really well. Matches my seats.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

lreppond

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #37 on: April 03, 2022, 19:18:47 »
Nice work! Stain color looks spot on to me. 
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

Pinder

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #38 on: April 03, 2022, 23:25:55 »
Im really happy with the color and thanks for the advice on the stain to use.  Finishing with the 0000 steel wool really made the finish look professional and smooth.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

Leester

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #39 on: April 04, 2022, 00:55:21 »
Looks great - nice work. May I ask where you purchased the vinyl from.  Thanks. Lee
Lee Backus
1963 220SE Cabriolet
1970 280SL (reassembling - hopefully soon)
1978 450SL (disassembled for paint)
1985 500SEC

Pinder

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #40 on: April 04, 2022, 01:38:18 »
Lee,
 
 MB tex is from GAAH.

https://gahh.com

Very reasonable price. I ordered 2 yards.  approx. 100 bucks plus delivery.  its wide enough for dash and also soft top cover.    If you do the dash remove the cloth backing using acetone or lacquer thinner. Apply to backing with kitchen towel napkins to soak the back  then rip it off slowly. A member (Shevegel) on this site recommended that and it worked really well.  I used the Weldwood Landau contact cement meant for vinyl tops. It comes in a gallon. my seat covers are from GAT. same material looks identical. very durable stuff.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2022, 02:07:24 by Pinder »
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

Pinder

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #41 on: April 04, 2022, 01:43:03 »
Lee if you do the dash make sure you sand down any cracks so they dont mirror through. I did order a dash repair bondo stuff but did not use it as the cracks were so small.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

Pinder

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #42 on: April 04, 2022, 02:01:08 »
The best part of fixing what you have no matter how bad it looks is its still original.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

Leester

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #43 on: April 04, 2022, 16:10:17 »
Thank for info and tips. Agree with keeping as much as possible original parts. I did my bows a while back - came out decent but not as nicely as yours since. I have a couple of minor spots where the veneer had come off. With the stain on, its not very noticeable. Most people probably won't see it but I know its there. But I will re-install when I get there to keep the original parts.
The reason I asked about the vinyl is that my seats were Cognac MB Tex and I havent found a source for the deep grain. I thought I had samples from GAAH but will double check. Thanks again
Lee Backus
1963 220SE Cabriolet
1970 280SL (reassembling - hopefully soon)
1978 450SL (disassembled for paint)
1985 500SEC

Pawel66

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #44 on: April 04, 2022, 16:35:45 »
I have recently bought some material for my car's upholstery to have "just in case". I bought some leather (dark blue) and MB tex dark blue. I cannot tell the difference when I look at them. I bought it from Heinz Reinke. Have you looked there?
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

Leester

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #45 on: April 04, 2022, 20:15:30 »
Thanks Pawel, have not checked there but will. Most of the leather I have found is very smooth and I'm looking for something with some "grain" to it. Looking at Pinder's MB Tex, it has a quite a texture or grain to it which appeals to me.  Lee
Lee Backus
1963 220SE Cabriolet
1970 280SL (reassembling - hopefully soon)
1978 450SL (disassembled for paint)
1985 500SEC

Pawel66

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #46 on: April 04, 2022, 21:21:20 »
Thanks Pawel, have not checked there but will. Most of the leather I have found is very smooth and I'm looking for something with some "grain" to it. Looking at Pinder's MB Tex, it has a quite a texture or grain to it which appeals to me.  Lee

Let me check over the weekend if I have samples at hand of both materials - if so, I will try to take a picture that reflects the texture. I have no idea if they have distributor in the US.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

Pinder

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Re: Restoring the wood bows
« Reply #47 on: April 04, 2022, 23:16:21 »
Yes there is considerable texture and it feels very durable. it matches my seats which I got from GAT. They must be using the same source for the material.   GAAH has two types of MB text. One is perforated and the other one is like what I used on the dash. I think the perforated one is for the middle of the seats.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.