dash panel fabrication mercedes cl500

I have a 2001 Mercedes CL500. I am preparing to remove the factory Comand 2.5 (pictured left) and replace it with 9" wide touch screen monitor.



I would like to make the dash panel look stock again like the photoshop image I made (pictured right). What kind of solution is best for this modification?

I would not mind sending the panel out to someone to do this work for me along with the wood grain match paint if anyone is interested or knows a company that can help....

Putting myself in your shoes, my first concern is the integration of wiring regarding the components in the picture on the left. What I mean by that is...

Are the controls for the area above and below it integrated with it, or attached to it on a shared module/wired bundle?

Will the other components still function if I remove the "centerpiece" and replace it with "foreign" components?

If nothing will be affected by the removal of it. I would move forward and detach (carefully) the whole center console, and then from there separate the stock screen and related controls from the woodgrain panel and then make sure the new screen will mount properly to it, if so, make the cutout just a tad smaller than it should be, and then sand it down or grind it while constantly doing a test fit to ensure a proper fit.

If this seems a little too advanced for you at this time, you can always contact the awesome team over at www.hzemall.com

They are in Canada, but like you mentioned, you could always send them the piece you want done and do the rest after you receive it back from them. Let me know if that helps.

-------------
I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

When you do not know what you are doing and what you are doing is the best -- that is inspiration.

Im, sorry I did not make it clear in my post. Actually, I'm installing a tablet pc in the dash... all the wiring through out the car is complete now... The computer is ready to be mounted.

I am only looking to have the dash panel cut and fitted for a wide screen type display. It then has to fiberglassed and then repainted to match the factory wood grain. This is the only part of the installation that is holding me up right now.

Another user sent me a link privately to some fiber glass forums and recommended a user over there. I have been searching salvage yards looking for the same dash panel so I can send one out to get refabricated and not have a big open dash.

Thanks!

I also have a question in the same regards.

I've sent my parts out to get wood grained or black wood colored before. Like this limo place they just wrap my parts in a laminate or something. Does anyone have a suggestion on where or how to get your custom dash parts wood grained matched?

-------------
Tell the Snap-On guy I'm not here!

Give the guys over at Patterntek a shout...I think they might have an answer to your question.

https://www.patterntek.com

-------------
I'd rather be in the boat with a drink on the rocks, than in the drink with a boat on the rocks!

I had contacted King Pin (patterntek) previously and they said that they MIGHT be able to match the wood grain but they will not do the fabrication changes to the dash panel.

Being a mercedes, that wood grain is most likely a real wood... I don't think Patterntek would be able to give a truly convincing blend. My bet is that IF they take the job, they'll have you sign a waiver stating that they are not responsible if the match isn't close enough.

Best thing to do really is get another bezel from MB and ask what the wood is. Find some extra of the wood and get a hold of an experienced carpenter (Not a woodworker) and have them do the modification.

-------------
Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.

if you had the wood piece and were close to my location, i can fabricate just about anything out of wood.  but since that is out of the ?, try to find a master woodsmith, this might run you into a financial bind, but if its exact you want be prepared to spend alot.

-------------
Make it Euro'n!!!

I have a custom bike shop in town airbrushes the dash to match the grain, I've down four mercedes mods, and they turned out perfect, can be expensive!!!

-------------
DJ,Scottsdale Extreme Sound

I don't know if it's really wood. Older Mercedes were certainly wood, but I think now they've gone to plastic with a picture of wood on it like everyone else. That part is just to curvy to be something that can be made easily from wood on mass production levels.

Look up 3D printing, or water transfer printing on the web. All of the "plood" used in todays cars are done with water transfer printing. It's actually a pretty cool technology.

You may be able to find a company that will be able to match the colour and style of the Merc finish once the panel has been physically modified. If not, there's always the option of having every wood finished piece in the car redone all at once to ensure a complete match.

-------------
Keith C. Adams

The dash panel is not wood. It's plastic with a wood grain paint scheme.