Cheap Interior Trim Bodges
Discussion
Dash Veneering
I’ve suggested using wood effect laminate as an alternative to the traditional veneer and thought I’d run a trial. This is a sample from Arpa . The upper half has been lacquered, the lower half is as it comes.
Comparison with my expensively and traditionally veneered dash.
You have to get in very, very close to see any difference. I don’t know how much a sheet of laminate would be, but I’d expect it to be a hell of a lot less than a dash re-veneer. Plus you’d have enough left over to do all your mate’s dashes. Formica also do a range of wood effect laminates, but no longer list the burr walnut effect.
Leather Upholstery Repairs
I had a can of paint for spraying vinyl in the garage and wondered how it would work on leather. This is a piece of green leather sprayed with the paint. The original green has been completely covered and the finish is flexible enough to survive being screwed up and scuffed on the carpet. Buffed up with leather balm it looks and feels very leather like. I’ve no idea how the finish would survive on a seat bolster for example, but as a local repair it’s certainly cheap and effective.
Having fun on the cheap
I’ve suggested using wood effect laminate as an alternative to the traditional veneer and thought I’d run a trial. This is a sample from Arpa . The upper half has been lacquered, the lower half is as it comes.
Comparison with my expensively and traditionally veneered dash.
You have to get in very, very close to see any difference. I don’t know how much a sheet of laminate would be, but I’d expect it to be a hell of a lot less than a dash re-veneer. Plus you’d have enough left over to do all your mate’s dashes. Formica also do a range of wood effect laminates, but no longer list the burr walnut effect.
Leather Upholstery Repairs
I had a can of paint for spraying vinyl in the garage and wondered how it would work on leather. This is a piece of green leather sprayed with the paint. The original green has been completely covered and the finish is flexible enough to survive being screwed up and scuffed on the carpet. Buffed up with leather balm it looks and feels very leather like. I’ve no idea how the finish would survive on a seat bolster for example, but as a local repair it’s certainly cheap and effective.
Having fun on the cheap
Edited by v8s4me on Thursday 25th August 21:04
Edited by v8s4me on Thursday 25th August 21:04
I would have thought it was a bit tricky getting it all to fit right, plus matching up the grain pattern etc?
I once watched a programme where a dash was recovered by dipping a film and dropping it over, cannot remember the name of the process but it was very effective as all the areas where the clocks sit etc looked nice and tight.
I once watched a programme where a dash was recovered by dipping a film and dropping it over, cannot remember the name of the process but it was very effective as all the areas where the clocks sit etc looked nice and tight.
Speed Matters | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff