Dashboard colouring

[Andrew S]

I have seen american walnut and its dark with a nice grain. I cant help but feel that my venueer isn's the same as its more orangy. I say this as I am looking for another gearstick wood trim surround and would like to get one to as near a match to what I have. I am more than prepared to veneer the gearstick surround and the coin tray so they are in keeping but my question really is, what veneer do I have as I see many in the colouring. And, why the colour difference?

Any comments much appreciated
Andrew

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[Ian Durrant]

I have seen american walnut and its dark with a nice grain. I cant help but feel that my venueer isn's the same as its more orangy. I say this as I am looking for another gearstick wood trim surround and would like to get one to as near a match to what I have. I am more than prepared to veneer the gearstick surround and the coin tray so they are in keeping but my question really is, what veneer do I have as I see many in the colouring. And, why the colour difference?

Any comments much appreciated
Andrew

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Hi Andrew,

The honey colour that the stag dash attains is due to ageing, mainly through sunlight I guess. If you look at the stag that is the last one off the line at BMH in warwick, the dash is quite dark with an almost black colour in the grain. I think that the patina the stag dash attains is lovely and I intend to keep mine original. I'd try and find a nice used one to keep that lovely honey colour.

Hope that helps

Ian

[Andrew S]

Thanks Ian, interesting
Cheers
Andrew

[martin]

Hi Andrew, if you look at the inside of the glovebox lid, you should get a good idea of the original colour.
I agree with Ian, I love that honey colour. I've thought about figured walnut or similar, but after seeing quite a few, as beautiful as they are, I think I'll stick with the original. Martin.

[Andrew S]

Thanks Martin. I had no idea that the inside was the same at some point in time. I like the dash to look like would and to be matt or satin finish as it suites the car so maybe I should put an add in the wanted section for another gearstick surround and a coin to tray to match. It is a winter project to get dash out and relacquer it to bring the color back as the surface has a very fine roughness to it now which is the acryllic lacquer. All good fun.

[Ian Durrant]

I think at least part of the colouring is due to the original lacquer. Somebody must have relacquered an original veneer and could tell you for certain, but I would hazard a guess that if you strip the original surface you will alter the colour somewhat.

[elvimto]

Andrew,
I had to redo my dash the auto/gearbox bit and the coin tray were painted black. at first I though I could get away with matching it up to the rest of the dash but its really not possible. I ended up veneering the complete dash take a look at the pics in my profile this is American walnut with American walnut stain and a spray type urathane sealer I tried different stains and finishes and put more time into it than I thought I would have to but in the end I went with it. The top coating on the original dash is a very thick plastic and when you try to remove it may and does lift some of the stain and veneer with it. As you say it may be better to pick up a bit that has aged and is in good shape that will save you some trouble, good luck.

cheers Stuart

[Andrew S]

I have spoken to the guy who did my dash when I stripped it and he said he used clear acryllic lacquer and I should be able to remove it or sand it down and relacquer it. My problem is, there looks as though there are two small splits or raised areas on the gearstick surround and although they havent opened or become worse over the years, it bugs me and being the dash looks a little faded I would love to do the lot.

[Mike E]

Andrew,

Last year I dug deep and got Chapman & Cliff to do my dash pieces after buying new gear surround and coin tray sections as mine were dreadful. They used standard veneer and lacquer and I am still stunned at the effect. Like you I think the original veneer is the best but as with all veneers it is the method and standard of finish that makes it good or indifferent. The dash is so important its probably worth the extra effort.

Its never easy deciding what to spend our hard earned money on though!
Best of luck.
Mike

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[Andrew S]

Very nice indeed Mike, very original

[AlanD]

hi Andrew,

i think you will find it's the laquer that has split and not the veneer, i have just replaced mine in American walnut as per original, i've not put pictures on my profile though, you can get the coating off without damaging the veneer underneath with a paint stripper heat gun, i think Julian did his this way, just be careful not to burn it, then recoat it all at the same time to keep it the same shade.

hope this helps mate

Alan

[martin]

Shame about that waggely stick thing, but it does look the bees knees ! Martin.

[Andrew S]

We're not old enough to have a short stick

[jleyton]

Hi Andrew,

As Alan says, Hot air paint stripper - used carefully - brings off the varnish perfectly. I guess it would then be easy to re lacquer with a spray.

I've actually used wax on mine and although it is (intentionally) darker than the original, I reckon it's come up a treat.

Cheers

Julian

[Andrew S]

Thanks guys. As mentioned, the dash is a personal and important part of the car. I really like the dash that Alan re-veneered and its original, but want to stick with mine. Will start looking to see if the surface marks are lacquer or veneer. I really like an oak one I have seen and also a walnut one on ebay from an overseas supplier but its too expensive.