Dashboard Veneer

[Sandgrounder]

Another job on my wish list for winter...

My dash and switch panel are painted steel (I think it was supposed to look similar to wood, but doesn't!b)

I am considering getting them veneered, but has anyone tried doing this themselves?

Veneer seems readily available on interweb.

As per previous post, I know that David Gerald can do them but the prices seem high for what they are.

[zombeh]

I did mine a couple of months ago. It was not easy and I'm not entirely sure about the result. It's a million times better than the flaking rusty mess that was there before but it's not as entirely fantastic as it could be.

looked pretty good before it went in the car

not so great with the light on it at the sort of angle you usually see it from
http://zombeh.dyndns.org/~steve/v8s/interior/DSC_8...

[TVR-Stu]

If you do decide to re-veneer your dash I would advise you to put some very thin plywood (the stuff you can buy in model shops that's only a few mill thick) on top of the existing metal dash before applying your desired top veneer.
The trouble with metal is it expands and contracts, especially in the harsh temperature changes inside a car and the ply can cope with the movement. I think you'd find pretty quickly that your nice shiny lacquer coating would begin to crack and possibly the veneer to.
You could always approach one of the well advertised veneering companies and ask them subtly what their process is. Bit cheeky but if you don't ask you don't get

[Sandgrounder]

Thanks for the advice gents.

Just one problem Zombeh, I can't see your photos?? Can anyone else see them, or is just my company's strict IT policy that is blocking them.

[S2Mike]

Pics are clear to me, must be censored on yours.
.
Just a thought I believe some of the DIY shops sell a Wood Effect paint, that could be used directly on the metal dash. I must add that I have not done this or seen any results but worth mentioning. ( I think the "grain" is combed on.)

[Sandgrounder]

Thanks Mike, but they are already painted (by TVR I assume), so its defo going to be veneer or possibly navy leather?? If that's feasible.

I can see where this is heading, I'll probably be speaking with David Gerald soon!!!!!

[mep12345]

Did mine with sticky back plastic and spray cans of lacquer. Not as good as veneer but far better than the paint effect tvr did. See http://www.gbsportscar.com/Dashboard%20Renovation....

Hth

Mark

[seb400]

3 years ago I had a go at mine. I work in the design/print industry. I got hold of a large high-res walnut burl image, photoshopped (colour can be adjusted to suit interior of car/steering wheel/gear knob!) to fit the full width of a V8S dash and printed it onto a self adhesive cloth based paper. This I hoped would provide a stable surface which won't crack, like wood, when expanding in the heat. A friend of mine (who has used wood in the past) fitted and lacquered the dash for me before refitting.





Only problem is that the glue we used wasn't up to the job and a couple of areas are beginning to peel back, so needs further experimentaion. But a much cheaper method - and it looks just like real wood. Three years later the print still looks as it did then - with minor worsening of the peel back.

Given the advances in wide-format printing I would have thought that it would be possible today to buy a heavy, strong, self-adhesive print. I've got the photoshop file if someone wants to have a look around.

Steve

Edited by seb400 on Tuesday 2nd October 18:39

[Road2Ruin]

Strip it back, sand it down and laquer the bare metal. It looks lovely. I did it to mine a few years ago, came up great..

[Sandgrounder]

More great info guys, thanks.

So far Mark, I like the look of the sticky back plastic, and if I try it and it doesn't look right, I can just peel it off with minimal expense.

The guide on how to remove the dash panel is also appreciated!

[DelboyH]

seb400 said:

3 years ago I had a go at mine. I work in the design/print industry. I got hold of a large high-res walnut burl image, photoshopped (colour can be adjusted to suit interior of car/steering wheel/gear knob!) to fit the full width of a V8S dash and printed it onto a self adhesive cloth based paper. This I hoped would provide a stable surface which won't crack, like wood, when expanding in the heat. A friend of mine (who has used wood in the past) fitted and lacquered the dash for me before refitting.





Only problem is that the glue we used wasn't up to the job and a couple of areas are beginning to peel back, so needs further experimentaion. But a much cheaper method - and it looks just like real wood. Three years later the print still looks as it did then - with minor worsening of the peel back.

Given the advances in wide-format printing I would have thought that it would be possible today to buy a heavy, strong, self-adhesive print. I've got the photoshop file if someone wants to have a look around.

Steve

Edited by seb400 on Tuesday 2nd October 18:39

That looks like a really good alternative to real wood veneer.
I had mine re-veneered about 2 years ago by a mate who worked for an interior design company. They re-veneered straight onto the metal and it looked absolutely fantastic, but it didn't last. Over time the lacquer appears to have shrunk and has now started to crack in places.
I've been contemplating getting it done professionally at somewhere like http://www.classical-dash.co.uk/tvr.html but I might try your method instead.
Would you mind emailing me a copy of the photoshop file and I'll enquire with some local printers?

[Stew Mc]

Tried doing the dash myself and I was not happy with the outcome. Spoke to Chapman and Cliff at the classic car show a couple of years ago and they did the dash, switch panel and door card strips for a couple of hundred pounds. Must say they did a very nice job and nice people to deal with.
Cheers, Stew.

[Sandgrounder]

Thanks Stew, I'll get a quote,

[kevroe]

Hi
I've been discussing sticky veneer with this lot - pixartprinting. They tell me they can print out the wood effect veneer which I can stick onto the dash.

I've seen this done on a jag and it looks good as well as robust. Now to get this done they need two pictures from me - one with the wood effect - which I have as a 75MB JPEG - can't remember who sent me this though. However they also need one with the shape of the dash - which I don't have apart from photos of the car. Does any one have such a file (I've included their exact message to me below). Surely someone has drawn this and used it as a template? The question is if it exists as a computer file. Any thoughts?
KR

---

'If you want a shaped adhesive, you need to send us a 2 layer file, one layer with the wooden texture, and another layer with the shape, which needs to be a closed vector path, ideally, you would do this in illustrator or photoshop'

[Brian6600]

Hi, I've used Foliatec.co.uk on a Jag I refurbished some time ago. It gave very good results but the size of the pieces may be unsuitable for the "S". I intend to use a similar product from 3M called DI-NOC on mine, but will have to import from Poland or US.( available on E-Bay)

Brian

[themee]

Did mine in Wrinkly powder coat, needs to come off again as when I was messing around getting it back in my red and blue see through plastic bits came off as did the warning light cover,kind of like it without this though and at least you can see them! just noticed I am doing 5mph and 6ooo revs!

Edited by themee on Sunday 5th January 12:19

Edited by themee on Sunday 5th January 12:20

[themee]