Wood Dash Trim - Original vs Aftermarket

[bkfitz]

I'm guessing this is an aftermarket solution? that was installed prior to my family's ownership. 

Looks pretty rough.

Is there a general concensus on where to source a quality OEM equivalent replacement?  Or if it is OEM, the best practice for refurbishment?

Thanks!

[mdsalemi]

There are a few places that refinish the OEM stuff. It's a delicate matter since the veneer on the original is paper-thin, and sanding can easily sand through. Damaged veneer can be replaced by the experts such as https://www.maderaconcepts.com and they do a spectacular job of Concour-quality refinishing. The only catch is the price is quite high.

I had my wood--all of it--refinished by a local furniture refinisher back in 2000. The quality was OK, not up to Madera standards, but it worked. But it also aged and in 2021 when I was having some additional work done on the car I decided to replace ALL of the wood with a set from Authentic Classics. I helped defray the cost by selling the original stuff.

The Authentic Classics wood is top-notch. NOT OEM. It is solid, not veneered, but very high quality and I'm quite pleased with it.

[bkfitz]

Thanks Michael!

Do you think what I have is 'weathered' OEM?

[Vander]

Thanks Michael!

Do you think what I have is 'weathered' OEM?

That looks like original weather wood to me. Aftermarket wood is all done over glossy and has a plastic look to it.

[mdsalemi]

That looks like original weather wood to me. Aftermarket wood is all done over glossy and has a plastic look to it.

Mine from Authentic Classics is NOT glossy at all...it's a satin look, very well done.

[mdsalemi]

Thanks Michael!

Do you think what I have is 'weathered' OEM?

Looks like it...in very rough shape. This would cost a small fortune to have done at Madera, but the results would be spectacular.

[stickandrudderman]

Thanks Michael!

Do you think what I have is 'weathered' OEM?

That is not original wood.
The original is sandwiched between the "A" pillar covering and the dash and does not have that additional contour around the windscreen rubber.

[tcj]

from my point of view its original, it just seems to me that the last 10cm to the right represent an implanted repair piece

[114015]

Yes, definitely.

[bkfitz]

The left side of the trim has a similar pieced together section.  That small void on the far end I have the piece that fell off.  It is notched back to meet under the end section as if it was glued. 

Either way, in it's current awful condition I'm thinking its best to replace with a nice aftermarket.  I was mostly just curious if it was OEM.  I'm surprised Mercedes would have used walnut with veneer vs two single pieces of stained/finished hardwood.  Maybe for consistency of the finish.

[49er]

 Here is my Dash Trim with Original finish.

John

[bkfitz]

Here is my Dash Trim with Original finish.

John

Thats beautiful John, thanks for sharing.

[zak]

May I ask what is the overall condition of the car and how long have you been driving it ?
If it's a concours contender then I agree quality reproduction pieces are the way to go.

But if it's a fun driver I would hold off and reconsider. To my inexpert eye those wood pieces appear original to the car and have the original finish too - albeit with the wings repaired.
They have been around for a very long time and came with the car so I would think twice.

Just my 2 cents. You can do whatever you want.

jz

[BobH]

There are some, what are in my opinion vile options available, and the last picture of one that would seem to be close to the original (apart from the matching gear knob!)

[bkfitz]

Thanks jz, definitely going to think on it, especially if consensus leans OEM. 

It's a fun 4-speed weekend driver that has been in my family since the early 80s and brings back vivid memories of childhood trips to the Little League field in northern NJ.  While it needs a little TLC and has a few fluid drips, it runs and handles beautifully. Its mostly original but did go through a partial restoration in the 90s that included paint.   

Here's a picture of my father and I around 1985.  I'm now 46.  Picture #2 is my children around 2010.

[mdsalemi]

The last picture, Bob, is quite close to what Authentic Classics sells, and what I bought.

https://www.authenticclassics.com/Mercedes-230SL-250SL-280SL-4pc-Wood-Set-p/auth-004692.htm

I think the "striping" on the wood grain, as shown, is more exaggerated than in the reality of what I bought. The finish is satin, not gloss. Not "plastic".

[Pawel66]

I always wondered why no one (at least I could not find when I was looking for it) offers raw wood set for Pagodas. So that the owner can finish wood they way they want.

I was looking for a raw set when I bought a Nardi steering wheel and I wanted the wood to match. I ended up re-finishing my old wood set.

[zoegrlh]

I did the refinish on my wood. Back when I was younger I did furniture refinishing. So if you want to refinish yourself. Get a paint stripping produce. Strip it down, then very very light sanding, stain, and put one coat of sealer, then sand lightly, the. Three coats of satin polymer clear coats.

[mdsalemi]

I always wondered why no one (at least I could not find when I was looking for it) offers raw wood set for Pagodas. So that the owner can finish wood they way they want.

I was looking for a raw set when I bought a Nardi steering wheel and I wanted the wood to match. I ended up re-finishing my old wood set.

If you could get the name of the vendor from one of the suppliers I bet you could (too late now) buy a set unfinished. I understand from the Authentic Classics website that their wood set is made in Germany. How many suppliers of this can there be?

[Pawel66]

I guess you are right, I am just not sure how cooperative a vendor would be if you ask them about their suppliers.... Vendors themselves, on the other hand, tend to stick to what they have and do not want to go through troubles of special orders. If I were a vendor I would rather have raw kits than somehow finished. I would also sell raw parts of the kit with appropriate margin. Just thoughts...

[mdsalemi]

I guess you are right, I am just not sure how cooperative a vendor would be if you ask them about their suppliers.... Vendors themselves, on the other hand, tend to stick to what they have and do not want to go through troubles of special orders. If I were a vendor I would rather have raw kits than somehow finished. I would also sell raw parts of the kit with appropriate margin. Just thoughts...

You don't know unless you try.

Most people would have a difficult time, unless quite experienced, in properly finishing any wood to a professional finish. It's easier to be done in bulk in the factory. I suspect it is quite easy to pull one set of wood out prior to finishing.

[Pawel66]

True as well.

Well, I would not try myself, I would give it to specialist. Just that removing existing coats to get to wood to apply new finish costs labour and may be risky.