DIY Veneer Refurb'...pictures!
Discussion
Well the radio panel of my Chim was a mess, it was rusting from behind and all the wood basically split and fell off.
I whipped the panel out (ha...spent about half an hour labelling everything!) and sanded it down to remove the rust before painting with a Hammerite type rust proof paint.
Next stage was a visit to a cabinet maker friend to blag some nice walnut veneer!!
I have spent a fair few hours on it, mostly cutting out the button recesses etc but now it's had about 10 coats of laquer i'm really chuffed! The colour is darker than the main dash, which is a lighter Burr Oak, but i actually prefer my handiwork!! Anybody know how much time is involved in removing the dash....?
Anyway here are some pictures, the first is the unlaquered wood and the second the nearly finised article!
I whipped the panel out (ha...spent about half an hour labelling everything!) and sanded it down to remove the rust before painting with a Hammerite type rust proof paint.
Next stage was a visit to a cabinet maker friend to blag some nice walnut veneer!!
I have spent a fair few hours on it, mostly cutting out the button recesses etc but now it's had about 10 coats of laquer i'm really chuffed! The colour is darker than the main dash, which is a lighter Burr Oak, but i actually prefer my handiwork!! Anybody know how much time is involved in removing the dash....?
Anyway here are some pictures, the first is the unlaquered wood and the second the nearly finised article!
Once you've located the 3 bolts it's quite easy. Watch the bolts (which stick out) don't scratch the surrounding leather when you're manoeuvring the dash out. I took the roof off which makes life a lot easier and once the bolts are undone I lifted the dash top at the passenger side to about 45 degrees then you need to ease the drivers side bolt out of it's hole by easing it out with your right hand which let's you protect the end if the bolt once it's free and pull/twist the dash top with your left hand. Just go steady and it's all very controllable. Good Luck.
fog66 said:
Once you've located the 3 bolts it's quite easy. Watch the bolts (which stick out) don't scratch the surrounding leather when you're manoeuvring the dash out. I took the roof off which makes life a lot easier and once the bolts are undone I lifted the dash top at the passenger side to about 45 degrees then you need to ease the drivers side bolt out of it's hole by easing it out with your right hand which let's you protect the end if the bolt once it's free and pull/twist the dash top with your left hand. Just go steady and it's all very controllable. Good Luck.
Would it be doable in a day? (gentle saturday 
)1-2 hours should be fine to remove the dash, depending on how quick you work, and label.
This article may help
http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_dash.php
This article may help
http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_dash.php
My dash has gone horrible over the last 3 months due to a water leak and moisture build up. Damn shame because it was in pretty good shape prior to the winter. I'm going to have to do this to mine at some point, and I definitely want the wood finish, it feels a little more luxurious.
Go to http://www.rv8r.co.uk/diyveneer.html
Two-pack formaldehyde is pretty good.
The trick, as explained in the article, is to key the metal dash blank.
Two-pack formaldehyde is pretty good.
The trick, as explained in the article, is to key the metal dash blank.
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