Veneer replacement
Discussion
The fake wood in the 400 is looking pretty rough, and although I had the door strips done by LCC last year, I'm baulking at the cost of having the rest of it done, and also wondering if it really suits the car. I've seen at least one car which has had the glovebox covered in matching vinyl - undecided about that. Anyone seen alternatives to the wood treatment on a Wedge? Engine turned metal of some sort for example? I remember seeing a Griff. some years ago in yellow with a carbon fibre (not sure if it was real) matting in yellow/black on the dash which looked good.
Any suggestions welcome.
7.
Any suggestions welcome.
7.
I've been thinking about this. The wedge is unusual enough that is doesn't HAVE to have a wood finish: to my mind brushed alloy or brushed stainless would be nice options.
Carbon fibre is a bit (a)bland and tedious (b)pointless from a weight-saving point of view (c)boy-racerish (d)hard to tell fake from real, so why bother?
I've also thought of putting a smoked perspex window right across the instruments so it's just a black panel with the lights off
and flame-proof suit on...
Carbon fibre is a bit (a)bland and tedious (b)pointless from a weight-saving point of view (c)boy-racerish (d)hard to tell fake from real, so why bother?
I've also thought of putting a smoked perspex window right across the instruments so it's just a black panel with the lights off
and flame-proof suit on...I was thinking about having it done in brushed alloy or stainless. But I'm going to stick to veneer. Theres one here;
www.pistonheads.com/sales/56323.htm
www.pistonheads.com/sales/56323.htm
pwd95 said:
I was thinking about having it done in brushed alloy or stainless. But I'm going to stick to veneer. Theres one here;
www.pistonheads.com/sales/56323.htm
Looks a bit on the plain side, but seems to work ok because of the grey interior. Still like to see a machined finish though.
7.
number 7 said:
I was thinking about having it done in brushed alloy or stainless. But I'm going to stick to veneer. Theres one here;
www.pistonheads.com/sales/56323.htm
Looks a bit on the plain side, but seems to work ok because of the grey interior. Still like to see a machined finish though.
7.
Knurled?
number 7 said:
Knurled?
I had something like this in mind, although the instruments look a bit high tech for the Wedge
7.
The only time I've ever been happy with that turned effect was when it'd been done with a CNC mill... otherwise it looks like something you'd bring home from school metalwork lessons
Had my walnut veneer refurbished by Chapman and Cliff.
www.chapmanandcliff.co.uk
They did a superb job at a very reasonable price.
Speak to Phil Cliff on 01270 842151.
>> Edited by peege on Tuesday 7th February 21:12
www.chapmanandcliff.co.uk
They did a superb job at a very reasonable price.
Speak to Phil Cliff on 01270 842151.
>> Edited by peege on Tuesday 7th February 21:12
Hey Gents,
Job number one on my wedge has been to sort the dash out, so ive taken the two plates out (main plate and also the speedo/rev counter one) on my 400 dash and took it into a sheet workers today to see if i can get it remade in something like aluminium which is galvanised and coloured...supposedly scratch proof! As i much prefer the idea than the veneer...and i dont want to pay to have it done properly!
The guy said that the time is in setting up the machine, thats all. He guessed about £180 for a one off but he reconed, if i wanted 6 or seven it would be £30...ish.
Basically it takes at least two hours to put into his CAD machine then it does the rest!
if not, im going to have mine smoothed then painted.....something different anyway!
Job number one on my wedge has been to sort the dash out, so ive taken the two plates out (main plate and also the speedo/rev counter one) on my 400 dash and took it into a sheet workers today to see if i can get it remade in something like aluminium which is galvanised and coloured...supposedly scratch proof! As i much prefer the idea than the veneer...and i dont want to pay to have it done properly!
The guy said that the time is in setting up the machine, thats all. He guessed about £180 for a one off but he reconed, if i wanted 6 or seven it would be £30...ish.
Basically it takes at least two hours to put into his CAD machine then it does the rest!
if not, im going to have mine smoothed then painted.....something different anyway!
Just finished the Dash on my 400, glue is drying overnight!
I went to my local graphics maker and as i knew the guy, bought a sheet of sticky back plastic they use for their decals in a nice silver colour. Cleaned the metal right down and put the silver sticky on the dash.....easier said than done! More bubbles that a bubble machine!
Spent all night streaching and pulling and it looks pretty good! Not absolutly perfect but i am looking at it under strong light with a very picky eye!
I think it should look great when its in the car...and only cost a fiver! Indeed it did take about 3 and a half hours but thats half the fun! Ill get some pics up when i get it in the car, see what you all think!
I went to my local graphics maker and as i knew the guy, bought a sheet of sticky back plastic they use for their decals in a nice silver colour. Cleaned the metal right down and put the silver sticky on the dash.....easier said than done! More bubbles that a bubble machine!
Spent all night streaching and pulling and it looks pretty good! Not absolutly perfect but i am looking at it under strong light with a very picky eye!
I think it should look great when its in the car...and only cost a fiver! Indeed it did take about 3 and a half hours but thats half the fun! Ill get some pics up when i get it in the car, see what you all think!
Am sitting in the USA waiting for a huge snow storm so surfed the net saw the veneer Q. I have a baby wedge in yellow. Just replaced the nasty fake wood trim with real yes real carbon fiber. It is a great replacement and looks extremely nice or as you say smashing.Anything but junior racey. Reasonable alternative.
Hacbao67 said:
Yeah, the only trouble with c/f is that with the amount of fake stuff around, nobody believes it's real any more!. Over on the Esprit forum there are a couple of people who make replacement body parts out of carbon fibre, at least it's saving weight rather than looking 'bling'.
Hacbao67 said:
Hi Bob,
I'd started to look at the Griffs. that had been converted to CF - looks good from a few pics. Any chance of a picture of your dash - I know the 400 will be different to yours, but it should give me an idea of the look at least. PM me if you would prefer.
Hope you don't get too much of the white stuff.
7.
I thought about that before hand and i guess ill have to wait and see!
THe guys at my local graphics place are really good, know their sticker materials! I had some decals made by them in their high temperature material (same as whats on my dash) and they went directly on my brake calipers on my Clio 16v...i did a couple of track days in her and they still looked good as new after 2 18 months and 20000 miles! Amazing!
The dash is in now and looks really good, really pleased with it. Bit diferent anyway!
Worst comes to worst, if it does lif ive only lost a bit of my time!
>> Edited by matt-man on Sunday 12th February 22:54
THe guys at my local graphics place are really good, know their sticker materials! I had some decals made by them in their high temperature material (same as whats on my dash) and they went directly on my brake calipers on my Clio 16v...i did a couple of track days in her and they still looked good as new after 2 18 months and 20000 miles! Amazing!
The dash is in now and looks really good, really pleased with it. Bit diferent anyway!
Worst comes to worst, if it does lif ive only lost a bit of my time!
>> Edited by matt-man on Sunday 12th February 22:54
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