Wood refinishing due to stress cracking, help!

[Klink]

Gentlemen,

I have a 230 chassis customer that needs center console wood refinishing / repair due to stress cracking. I called Heritage Woodworks, just up the road in N.C., and they told me that Drew had passed away after a short fight with cancer. That was sure a buzz kill, I liked Drew. They said that they were completely covered up and not currently taking in new work.

So, the question is, who here is known and liked for quality factory looking wood repairs?

Any assistance would be most appreciated!

Klink

 

[8899]

http://www.maderaconcepts.com/

 

[gsxr]

Have you contacted Madera yet? I think they are the only other game in town...

 

[Klink]

Have you contacted Madera yet? I think they are the only other game in town...

That's 2 votes for them, so I'll give them a call.

Thanks!

 

[sheward]

I have no experience with Madera personally however many here have had very good experiences with them over years.

drew

 

[M104-AMG]

When I was in Santa Barbara I visited their shop. Awesome! Madera Concepts is internationally known for their quality work (and cost!).

neil

 

[Maui]

I am curious what they typically charge to refinish the center console?

 

[jhodg5ck]

All we use is Madera. If you are sending one piece, send them all... no matter how good your old wood looks it will look somewhat Off when the newly refinished piece is installed. @ the minimum get the center console, ash tray and klima panel done.

Klink, we have a full set of 560 wood getting re-veneered @ Madera right now, if you like I can ping you when it come in if you would like to have a first hand look!

jono

 

[Klink]

All we use is Madera. If you are sending one piece, send them all... no matter how good your old wood looks it will look somewhat Off when the newly refinished piece is installed. @ the minimum get the center console, ash tray and klima panel done.

Klink, we have a full set of 560 wood getting re-veneered @ Madera right now, if you like I can ping you when it come in if you would like to have a first hand look!

jono

Thanks Jono !

The door wood was faultless, and it's that ultra light blond finish. Just one thermal crack on the little ashtray flip cover. I just sent all of the center stack wood to Madera. Yours, and the other endorsements here today are all I needed.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Trae]

Called today and was quoted a price of $134 for the center console.

 

[Maui]

What is the normal turn around time?

 

[Trae]

If I remember correctly, about 10-14 days.

 

[Klink]

What is the normal turn around time?

Maui,

They said 2 weeks on the pieces I sent them today.

 

[gsxr]

Called today and was quoted a price of $134 for the center console.

Wow - that sounds low! I thought it was $200+ for the shift console or HVAC wood...?

 

[clarkz71]

That does sound like a good deal.

Though I have been lucky enough to find a mint shifter wood panel for less on e bay.

Always a roll of the dice though on condition and match.

 

[Trae]

Hi Clark,
I ordered a throttle cable along with three ignition tumblers from Tom Hanson (at the Classic Center) yesterday.
The cables are $43 each, however, I don't know what the shipping will be yet.

 

[gerryvz]

Drew Tibcken was really more of an expert on early Mercedes-Benz wood, which was used up to and including model year 1972. Starting with the debut of the W116, MB went to the urethane-coated wood and from what I used to see, Drew's work (at least some 10 years ago) was not as good as his work on the earlier wood, which used a varnish-type coating.

The cracking comes not from the cracking of the wood veneer itself, but from the cracking of the urethane top coating. The urethane can also get quite hazy with sun exposure instead of cracking.

Discriminating MB owners and collectors also know of a fellow in Mineral Point, Wisconsin named M. Gregory Merrick. Greg is a real artisan when it comes to wood.

 

[Klink]

Gentlemen,

Just got the wood back from Madera. It's absolutely perfect. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[gsxr]

Schweet! Photos? Final cost?

 

[Klink]

Will do later if you want it. FYI this is not 124 wood it's for a 230. I'll have to post it up later if you want it. Got preholiday weekend madness going on here...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jhodg5ck]

Gentlemen,

Just got the wood back from Madera. It's absolutely perfect. Thanks for the recommendation!

Sweet

Still waiting on mine, but this is a Full set of wood from a 560SEL that's' getting re-veneered in a pale birds eye maple.

jono

 

[DRW]

Is it recco'd to also send in door bits and dash strips even though they look damn good?

 

[gerryvz]

I'd recommend sending in EVERYTHING so that it receives treatment/refinishing at the same time, and is of the same hue when re-installed.

 

[Klink]

I'd recommend sending in EVERYTHING so that it receives treatment/refinishing at the same time, and is of the same hue when re-installed.

That is the best way to avoid disappointment with wood refinishing. Realize that if you wind up with a mismatch by not sending in the whole wood set, you will also be faced with refinishing the pieces that you just paid to have refinished already.