Walnut dashboard care
Discussion
Hi stuarte,
I'm not sure if there is anything you can do or apply directly to the dash. I think the main things that will affect the veneer will be sudden changes in extremes of temperature and humidity. Thankfully we don't experience that too much in the UK, so I'm sure your dash will be okay, especially if it's garaged.
Most of the problems that usually occur are in the form of the veneer cracking or lifting from the dash backing plate. TVR applied the walnut veneer directly to the backing plate which is made of steel. As the metal expands more than the veneer when it gets hot, the veneer can split and crack. Additionally, it seems that the original veneers were glued to the steel which had a smooth surface. As a result, over time, the glue to metal bond would fail allowing the veneer to lift from the backing plate. With the inner steel surface now open to air a fine layer of rust could develop making the veneer lifting worse.
Because of the variabliity in TVR builds some cars suffer from these problems, and some cars don't. If your car hasn't got any problems it's unlikely it'll suffer this winter, just something to be aware of.
I'm not sure if there is anything you can do or apply directly to the dash. I think the main things that will affect the veneer will be sudden changes in extremes of temperature and humidity. Thankfully we don't experience that too much in the UK, so I'm sure your dash will be okay, especially if it's garaged.
Most of the problems that usually occur are in the form of the veneer cracking or lifting from the dash backing plate. TVR applied the walnut veneer directly to the backing plate which is made of steel. As the metal expands more than the veneer when it gets hot, the veneer can split and crack. Additionally, it seems that the original veneers were glued to the steel which had a smooth surface. As a result, over time, the glue to metal bond would fail allowing the veneer to lift from the backing plate. With the inner steel surface now open to air a fine layer of rust could develop making the veneer lifting worse.
Because of the variabliity in TVR builds some cars suffer from these problems, and some cars don't. If your car hasn't got any problems it's unlikely it'll suffer this winter, just something to be aware of.
I keep a couple of packs of silica gel ( the stuff you get in boxes that contain new electronic items like radios etc.)in the car. The car is kept outside under a cover and I get very little condensation in the car. Others have mentioned on here that a few bags of cat litter ( not used ) helps absorb condensation as well.
I dont have any veneer cracking , whether little condensation stops this happening I am not sure but getting in a dry car is better than a damp one. Using it regularly also helps.
I dont have any veneer cracking , whether little condensation stops this happening I am not sure but getting in a dry car is better than a damp one. Using it regularly also helps.
If you're not sure what to do just call Malcolm at London Carriage Craft and he will be able to point you on the right direction.
There's nothing about Walnut veneers he doesn't know... www.london-carriage-craft.com
There's nothing about Walnut veneers he doesn't know... www.london-carriage-craft.com
Hi Guys
I very seldom come on here, but please call for any advice, as its free lol , but to restore the fascia's is not ;0)
Let put you all at ease on this....
The company that used to make these mild steel fascia panels for TVR, from what I have seen over the years, never used to key (Scratch/scurf) the surface of the steel, so therefore you do not create a good bond between the sub-straight and veneer. The adhesive that used to be used by this company was 'Araldite' which in its day, was a fantastic adhesive, but the problem with this adhesive it does not like heat, which you guys get a lot of behind your dashboard, and what happens is, is the steel sub-straight, the adhesive, the veneer and lacquare has to expand and contract at the same rate, or you get the typical scenario where a crack will appear, normally from an edge of one of the dial holes, and then im afraid that will be the tip of the ice-burg, as it will start to lift everywhere and come off in clumps sometimes.
Over the years adhesives have come on in leaps and bounds, as has the lacquares, as they have a plastiizer, similar to what is in the paintwork on your car, and these will help from having the same problems.
There are many factors that can also contribute to this annoying problem, ie strong sunlight, as the UV light will bleach the veneers which is basically killing the surface of the veneer, so keeping the car out of direct sunlight will help, but you will never stop this process.
To keep the laquare in tip-top condition, use the like of 3M finnesit or handglaze, these are the best products I have found on this type of polish,
Cheers Malc
sorry about the bad wording, this i why I have edited it on my lap-top, as I had replied using my phone, that will teach me
I very seldom come on here, but please call for any advice, as its free lol , but to restore the fascia's is not ;0)
Let put you all at ease on this....
The company that used to make these mild steel fascia panels for TVR, from what I have seen over the years, never used to key (Scratch/scurf) the surface of the steel, so therefore you do not create a good bond between the sub-straight and veneer. The adhesive that used to be used by this company was 'Araldite' which in its day, was a fantastic adhesive, but the problem with this adhesive it does not like heat, which you guys get a lot of behind your dashboard, and what happens is, is the steel sub-straight, the adhesive, the veneer and lacquare has to expand and contract at the same rate, or you get the typical scenario where a crack will appear, normally from an edge of one of the dial holes, and then im afraid that will be the tip of the ice-burg, as it will start to lift everywhere and come off in clumps sometimes.
Over the years adhesives have come on in leaps and bounds, as has the lacquares, as they have a plastiizer, similar to what is in the paintwork on your car, and these will help from having the same problems.
There are many factors that can also contribute to this annoying problem, ie strong sunlight, as the UV light will bleach the veneers which is basically killing the surface of the veneer, so keeping the car out of direct sunlight will help, but you will never stop this process.
To keep the laquare in tip-top condition, use the like of 3M finnesit or handglaze, these are the best products I have found on this type of polish,
Cheers Malc
sorry about the bad wording, this i why I have edited it on my lap-top, as I had replied using my phone, that will teach me
Edited by LCC on Tuesday 30th October 17:59
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