Dash wood refinish

[rjkoop]

After sanding with 400 grit and cleaning I put a 2nd coat on and it looks much better. This time I was much more careful putting it on thin and lighter brush strokes.

[RRoller123]

The Madrone Burl that I did use.... Actually you will find that you need so little of the veneer to do the car that you can use most anything. I had to buy a lot of 6 sheets that was about 100 bucks, only needed ~1/3 of it, so l sold ~2/3 of the lot to a couple of other members here on the forum. So the Madrone Burl is going to be a little more common than it was.

The Walnut variations are obviously the most common exotic used in cars, but for my taste, the Madrone is lighter in color, more uniform in swirl pattern, and it is stock on the Pantera (or was at one time) so there is an Italian car connection.

Another neat trick we use is to apply the final wax with 400 grit sandpaper. Sounds crazy, but try it on a sample board, you will end up with a finish that is as smooth as glass. We don't waste a lot of time leveling the early coats. Just get a good brushed base on the substrate, level it with 120 lightly applied, then start the "wipe on" coats, level with 200, then apply the wax with 400 and it is smooth as the proverbial baby's bottom.

We don't bother spraying, too much trouble for the result, and without a booth it is problematic for a small shop like mine.

[azruss]

Here is how mine came out. The wood is salvaged from a 1890s english piano. the wood had some pits and flaws. the main reason for 4 coats was to achieve fill in those spots for a smooth, high gloss surface. I never got good enough with a brush to lay down a really flat layer. the advantage of a rattle can was it required much less sanding to get it flat. I had to sand the original 100 year old shellaq off wood veneer. Had enough wood to do a matching gear shift plate.

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[RRoller123]

That is fantastic! And starting with piano veneer you had the best quality available!

[surfingfreeman]

Thanks for the info RR, Azruss what a nice job and how cool that you recycled the wood from a piano! Just curious how thick was it?

[azruss]

as i recall in was 3/8". anyhow, it was close enough to the original wood, i didnt have to do any planing or spacing.

[RRoller123]

I had promised to measure a sample of the veneer, for thickness, a long while back in this post but forgot.

The solid hardwood veneer (these are WITHOUT any paper backing) that I received was .022" thick, or about 1/45". So it has essentially no impact on the fit of any of the dash or console pieces.

Note that veneers with paper backing would probably have the paper show at the edges and are therefore less desireable. They are also thicker, but in general are a lot easier to use, especially if they come preglued with a thermoset adhesive.

Pete

[PininF]

Absolutely luv luv luv it, best looking dash I've seen so far

Now your'e making me redo mine

[PininF]

Absolutely luv luv luv it, best looking dash I've seen so far

Now your'e making me redo mine