Dashboards

[jwt63]

Anybody know of a firm making dashboards or ideas about replacing veneer with somthing that doesn't crack?

[j_s_g]

jwt63 said:

Anybody know of a firm making dashboards or ideas about replacing veneer with somthing that doesn't crack?

Leven do metal dashes, and London Carriage Craft do veneer. Both are advertisers on here:
www.pistonheads.com/contact/list.asp

[snorky]

Just had a quote from LCC = about £300 for the dash and the panel round the radio/cassette

[APMAUTO]

london carriage craft do an excellent carbon fibre replacement as well top quality finish i don't use any one else

[HeyAndy]

I've just reveneered mine with Walnut - should be finished this weekend. My Bro-inlaw does it for a living so I got the right advice. Having done the work myself - cant't see how anyone could charge 300 sobs when I could do it for half the money!

[TheHobbit]

I've recently had my walnut dash reveneered by London Carriage Craft, and can highly recommend their work.

Have a look at the following for more info:

this thread

in particular, these comments:

LCC said:

Hi Guys It is I, Malcolm Hall Director of London Carriage Craft Ltd. Let me put the records straight with regards to the problems with these Griffith & Chimeara facia’s cracking and veneer lifting. It was a problem from who ever have done these facia's for TVR in the past. It is true to say that all parts to the fascia have to expand and contract at the same rate otherwise you end up with this typical problem. The metal backing is laser cut mild steel, and the problem started here, where as the surface of the steel was never keyed (scratched) so there will be bad adhesion between steel and veneer. The second problem was that an epoxy adhesive (Araldite) was used to adhere the veneer to the surface to the steel, you may notice when peeling a piece of veneer away from the facia you will notice that the glue is shinny showing hardly any adhesion was made. There are many more modern adhesives with much better adhesion qualities, and we use them. (The art of veneering is knowing what adhesive to use on what sub straights plastics, metals, glass, etc) The other problem is that some of the veneers that were used were not of good quality, this is noticed by looking at the early cars in particular, and notice where the veneer has faded via the UV light from the sun, as this bleaches the veneer, (draws the natural colour from the veneer) and leaving dark patches, where as this could be what we call in the trade as picking out, using pigment to colour out bad parts of the veneer. Pigment (cave men/women used this to paint pictures in the caves) always stays dark and does not bleach, as does the veneer. The other problem lies with the lacquare, a polyester lacquare was used, as does Rolls Royce (we should know we started there in 1973) but the polyester lacquare that is used now, and have used in the last 9 years has a plastiser within its mix, therefore expands and contracts with the heat and cold. Now all parts of the veneered facia move at the same rate therefore no more cracking. I do hope this helps you guys understand I have put it as plain as I can. Any questions please do not hesitate to ask. Regards Malcolm Hall (Director of London Carriage Craft Ltd.

also, here:

www.london-carriage-craft.com/

and here:

Member LCC

[jigs]

HeyAndy - you're taking orders then at half LCC's prices - where do we send them?

[speedeight]

j_s_g said:

jwt63 said: Anybody know of a firm making dashboards or ideas about replacing veneer with somthing that doesn't crack? Leven do metal dashes, and London Carriage Craft do veneer. Both are advertisers on here: www.pistonheads.com/contact/list.asp

Has anyone actually found the metal dashes that leven offer on their website?

It doesn't seem to be listed, its been advertised and mentioned on here for so long you would think they would have updated the website by now?

[simon brooks]

seem to recall seeing an ad in sprint last month, sorry cant remember name of company and have left mag at holiday hotel doh, maybe someone else can look it up for you

[TWIN T]

They are on Leven's website. Just look under the latest news link and they are down there. Alternatively next week they should be on TMS's www.tvrgear.co.uk website.

Ivan

[wildeep]

better quality pic than the one n the leven site:

[jwt63]

Can't see the point of replacing it with veneer. If it didn't work the first time can't see it working second time around. Would prefer a soluton that moves with the expansion due to heat, especially around the radio section!

>> Edited by jwt63 on Saturday 21st February 15:59

[jigs]

If you prefer the look of walnut veneer you should talk to LCC - they guarantee that their veneer won't lift or crack as they use a superior glue that allows movement. It certainly is much better quality than the original. If you prefer a metal dash then go for it.

[HeyAndy]

Just applying the laquer to my veneered switch panel and glove compartment section. I'll get some shots up once I've finished the first part of the job. I've just applied the veneer to the dashboard which is taking a bit of time - but there's no rush.

The job so far has been straight forward. The better you prepare the better finish. As for the cracking and the glue....like I said before, I wouldn't pay 300 sobs for something I could do myself.