New Dash Questions

[robertp]

My wood veneer has a couple of cracks - not too bad and they're high up so not very noticeable most of the time.
It will annoy me enough though to replace it eventually so questions are :
a) who supplies new ones
b) how much
c) is it a DIY job for an average spannerman like me - can tackle a lot of 'straightforward' jobs...

Thanks for any help/advice

[snorky]

aha !
London Carriage Craft reveneer them and do an excellent job...I changed mine a few months ago....email me to buy my old dash and radio panel ( changeover advice comes free with purchase ), send them off to Malc at LLC, 2 weeks and about £280 ( plus delivery ) later new dash arrives back - spend an afternoon swapping them over...job done.. sit back and admire new dash. Honestly there are only a couple of stumbling points to worry about but I'll gladly help you thru those....don't know how much a dealer/specialist would charge for this but I can't think it would be cheaper than doing it yourself.

>> Edited by snorky on Wednesday 17th August 08:25

[Podie]

I've seen LCC's work and was impressed.. - www.london-carriage-craft.com/

Alternatively, if you fancy a stainless steel one, speak to Leven - www.leventechnology.co.uk

[Hughesie2]

Podie said:

I've seen LCC's work and was impressed.. - www.london-carriage-craft.com/ Alternatively, if you fancy a stainless steel one, speak to Leven - www.leventechnology.co.uk

Incidentally, Leven only do a stainless checkerboard these days.

You could always go carbon as well though !!

"Austec" has a supplier that can cut you what you want though, Stainless (in whatever shade you like, Swirl, brushed, plain etc etc etc)

[robertp]

Thanks guys!
Carbon sounds interesting - where would you source that option?

[Podie]

robertp said:

Thanks guys! Carbon sounds interesting - where would you source that option?

Leven have one on their wall... could try giving them a call.


EDIT - does Carbon Al do them..?

>> Edited by Podie on Wednesday 17th August 11:06

[Hughesie2]

robertp said:

Thanks guys! Carbon sounds interesting - where would you source that option?

"Austec" do them as well, same supplier that does the SS ones, give Paul a ring...

[Prof Higgins]

Am trying something out at the moment as also had a craked veneer radio panel - took off all of the veneer and metal underneath looked quite servicable so set too with a drill mounted wire brush to clean it up - First intention was to smooth it all out and paint it, however by keeping direction of the brushing all the same, am quite pleased with the raw results. Only worry now is that it will probably start to corrode if left as exposed metal so thinking it might need some sort of laquer to seal it, anyone else done this? Piccies below, only done bottom panel so far but will attack the top panel as well in due course as obviously would like them to match, bit more hairy that one as top panel is in pretty good nick at present with only one small crack.





Its not quite a manufactured finish but looks fine and is £200-£250 saved which can now go towards the new suspension fund which is probably more pressing.


Edited by me cos I cannot spell

>> Edited by prof higgins on Wednesday 17th August 12:32

[Hughesie2]

Prof, does this then not make the Panel too thin and rattle around in the dash ??

Or have you not got that far yet ??

[Prof Higgins]

Hughesie2 said:

Prof, does this then not make the Panel too thin and rattle around in the dash ?? Or have you not got that far yet ??

hmnnn could be a good point and no not got that far yet, however brackets on back and mounting point in car have not changed so cannot see why it would make much difference other than facia will be in effect 1mm or so further back, may be more of a problem with the top panel which appears to be more held in by the surround (quick squirt around of mastik should sort that out though ) - will let you know, radio panel should be fitted this afternoon along with new stereo which has just arrived by parcelforce (hurrah).

[snorky]

radio panel would be unaffected as you say it's held in by screws on the 2 brackets...top dash would be OK too I suspect as it sits in a slot in the lower half of the dash panel and under the dash top...only screws being near the heater controls...

[D10 LDO]

Why not try the salvage companies, they obviously have them, cos most the damage is external??

[jason1788]

I need to replace my dash, does anyone have a knackered one that I can get refurbished so I don't have mine dismantled for ages? Must be early-style.

[zippee]

Prof Higgins said:

Am trying something out at the moment as also had a craked veneer radio panel - took off all of the veneer and metal underneath looked quite servicable so set too with a drill mounted wire brush to clean it up - First intention was to smooth it all out and paint it, however by keeping direction of the brushing all the same, am quite pleased with the raw results. Only worry now is that it will probably start to corrode if left as exposed metal so thinking it might need some sort of laquer to seal it, anyone else done this? Piccies below, only done bottom panel so far but will attack the top panel as well in due course as obviously would like them to match, bit more hairy that one as top panel is in pretty good nick at present with only one small crack. Its not quite a manufactured finish but looks fine and is £200-£250 saved which can now go towards the new suspension fund which is probably more pressing. Edited by me cos I cannot spell >> Edited by prof higgins on Wednesday 17th August 12:32

Prof, this is exactly how my dash is so I guess the previous owner did the same.
The fit is actually very good, it doesmove a little but only if you prod it hard and the gaps are virtually invisible. Cheapest way to a metal dash IMHO. I've had the car since Jan and had no sign of tarnishing at all. Plus it looks the nuts and you get no sun glare like you do with some of the machined polished ones.