Supplier found for re-veneering dashboard as original style
Discussion
Hi,
After a fellow PHer recently found a supplier of veneer (can't find thread now sorry) that you could cut to shape yourself, I tried to find somewhere that could actually re-veneer the dash for me, doing the veneer selection, machining and fitting for me.
And I found one:
Rupert Cummings of Classic Dash, based in Somerset. Tel: 07596 605701.
Rupert says he has previous experience of TVR dashboards from work with Dulfords and experience on classic cars such as Jags. He says he has a method using Birchwood that will prevent cracking and provide a quality finish.
If you supply him with your dash, he can remove the cracked veneer, will then select a new piece with a close match for colour so match with lower dash is retained, then shape and glue the new veneer in place.
The cost would be £180, which seems pretty reasonable for what is a specialist job.
I have no connection to Rupert or Classic Dash BTW. Just thought other PHers wanting to stay original would be interested. Mine will be there once I have saved some funds again, following recent service and repairs.
Cheers, Matt
After a fellow PHer recently found a supplier of veneer (can't find thread now sorry) that you could cut to shape yourself, I tried to find somewhere that could actually re-veneer the dash for me, doing the veneer selection, machining and fitting for me.
And I found one:
Rupert Cummings of Classic Dash, based in Somerset. Tel: 07596 605701.
Rupert says he has previous experience of TVR dashboards from work with Dulfords and experience on classic cars such as Jags. He says he has a method using Birchwood that will prevent cracking and provide a quality finish.
If you supply him with your dash, he can remove the cracked veneer, will then select a new piece with a close match for colour so match with lower dash is retained, then shape and glue the new veneer in place.
The cost would be £180, which seems pretty reasonable for what is a specialist job.
I have no connection to Rupert or Classic Dash BTW. Just thought other PHers wanting to stay original would be interested. Mine will be there once I have saved some funds again, following recent service and repairs.
Cheers, Matt
TVRinBFG said:
A genuine new set (dash & radio panel) is £240 inc VAT and postage.
I wasn't aware of that. Although I presume that would crack again in 5 years or so ?The method Rupert is using, he claims, will never crack as it has been tried and tested over 50 years by Jaguar. I'll try and get some more details on the process.
Edited by taylormj4 on Tuesday 20th March 10:17
Hi Taylormj4 - I don't believe him and think it will crack again at some point. However, all the different veneering companies are now using a different glue to stick the veneer to the backing plate that TVR and others used back in the 9Ts. So I also think everybodies dashes will actually last longer.
TVR used four different veneering firms in the late 8Ts and 9Ts to the best of my knowledge; and the firm I use is the one they did from 1996 to 2006. I can't put in writing which other car makers are currently using them, but it's pretty much every high end British based Le Mans winning car company you can think of.
TVR used four different veneering firms in the late 8Ts and 9Ts to the best of my knowledge; and the firm I use is the one they did from 1996 to 2006. I can't put in writing which other car makers are currently using them, but it's pretty much every high end British based Le Mans winning car company you can think of.
"Mads" have been doing replacement dashes for ages (no connection with them BTW) if that helps.
http://www.tvr-mads.co.uk/
http://www.tvr-mads.co.uk/
Pupp said:
I can't see that a wood veneer on a steel backing is ever going to be crack proof... Two entirely different expansion coefficients. My last radio panel lasted about a year... Sadly, I think ill be going stainless or carbon, which is a shame
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=8&t=1124947&mid=246207&nmt=VeneerRelevant post here. On my 1999 TVR, the the dash is a brittle acrylic veneer immitation. Its not a wood veneer. Have restuck a brittle flake back on with Araldite. Also some raised bits with the same. For complete restoration with wood veneer some suggest using a layer of Tulip wood backing. See Chimaera PH COBRA post
cuneus said:
Yes, these also look good. Had a price from them ? There is some variability there - £195 for a Triumph to £1975 for a Jag 
Pupp said:
I can't see that a wood veneer on a steel backing is ever going to be crack proof... Two entirely different expansion coefficients. My last radio panel lasted about a year... Sadly, I think ill be going stainless or carbon, which is a shame
Rolls Royce, Range Rover and Jag seem to be able to do it, so stay original if you want - I completely agree. You just need to find someone that know's the problem and a way around it.The first company that I spoke to said that they believed the top class manufacturers used up to 6 layers of tulipwood behind the veneer to allow for the different rates of expansion, each layer taking some of the loading. I believe it is possible and people have solved it. You just need to find someone.
I should reaffirm that I am not promoting this company. I haven't seen the guys work or any proof that it won't crack, I'm just passing on the contact details. IMHO he seems genuine and knowledgeable and as he was recommended by another veneering company as a specialist in automotive veneer work, it sounded like a good bet to me, especially for £180. I have asked for examples of work and proof of longevity, so we'll see what I get back.
Edited by taylormj4 on Tuesday 20th March 13:51
EGB said:
Thanks for that EGB. It was Swanny's post that was my starting point but I couldn't find it to reference as I didn't post.taylormj4 said:
cuneus said:
Yes, these also look good. Had a price from them ? There is some variability there - £195 for a Triumph to £1975 for a Jag 
> Would like to ask an approximate cost for a TVR dash (1986 350) e.g.
> Glove box, instrument binnacle, heater/radio console and 2 door strips
>
> Thanks
Thank you for your email. The cost to do the parts on your TVR would be £240
+£9post total £249 .Which would be strip and reveener the woodwork in
+burr walnut as original or any choice of veneer and lacquer.The turnaround for work is 3 weeks.
The dash on my 1999 Griff 500 is not cracked and no signs of doing so, is this the exception rather than the norm? Also I am certain it's wood because I visited the factory while it was being built and selected a colour of veneer which complimented the saddle coloured seats. Were some not wood?
RichB said:
The dash on my 1999 Griff 500 is not cracked and no signs of doing so, is this the exception rather than the norm?
The still original dash on my 2000 Chim is also as new, but it is always garaged when at home and I make a point of not parking it up for hours on end in direct sunlight with the roof off, which may have helped.Maybe some of the older ones need a bit of botox to hide some of the cracks
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