Dash Veneer

[DJT]

Whilst happy with the condition of my existing dashboard, I am embarking on a winter project to refurbish another set for fitting in the Spring. I have the wood pieces thanks to forum members and have now stripped them ready to apply new veneer. I have also reduced the size of the radio slot to the modern DIN size so that I can do away with the adaptor.

I have been looking at my options for new veneer and am looking for help from anyone who has done this before. There is obviously the option of using raw veneer sheets which will require to be flattened and then glued up using an appropriate glue - of which there seem to be several options. But I have been looking at the option of using 'peel and stick' veneer such as this:

http://www.thewoodveneerhub.co.uk/american-walnut-psa-peel-and-stick-veneer/

Has anyone used this with success? Or better suggestions? I do not want to use the stick on dash option; nothing against them, but not for me.

Thanks.

[new to this]

dave

cant help with your question ,but what lacquer/polish are you going to use

dave

[DJT]

Hi Dave,

I'm a long way from that stage yet, but it seems that Rustins gets a lot of recommendations.

Dave

[Phil]

This is exactly what I used and can recommend it. As long a you use a sharp scalpel it came out really well.

I'll a pic when I'm back home and not on phone

[flying farmer]

I tried the stick on veneer, but when I applied the Rustins varnish it ended up lifting the veneer at the edges as it seemed to shrink slightly as it dried.

Maybe I should have given it a lot longer between coats, but I basically put on as much as I could as quickly as I could. I ended up scraping it all off and doing it the hard way with veneer and wood glue, followed by the Rustins.

I have enough veneer for another dash, and the one on my other Stag will be done at some point, but I am going to leave it a lot longer between applying the Rustins and flatting/polishing (weeks rather than days), as some settling has occurred and the finish is not quite as flat and shiney as it could have been.

Neil

[DJT]

Thanks Phil and Neil. So that's one for and one against........

Any more?

[73stagman]

Seems I can still post! I used veneer sheets, PVA cant remember the exact name but it was in a green bottle and marked as water proof..... I used vacuum storage bags and a vacuum cleaner to produce a vacuum clamp. Lots of elbow grease to sand down the finished veneered panels.
2 pack lacquer produced a glossy water proof damp proof and seriously tough finish....

[jleyton]

Hi Dave,

I don't know if this will be of any interest or use to you but here goes:

The lacquer on mine was fairly badly cracked and discoloured but the actual veneer was still pretty good. With judicious use of a hot air paint gun and a blunt scraper I managed to get all of the lacquer off fairly easily.

I then simply applied Fiddes Rugger brown wax to the veneer and, I reckon, it's come up brilliantly. It's a nice colour - not far from original - and has an excellent satin sheen - not too glossy nor too dull. Plus, no varnish to apply or deteriorate and it's easy to reapply the wax if necessary.

Cheers

Julian

[DJT]

Hi Dave,

I don't know if this will be of any interest or use to you but here goes:

The lacquer on mine was fairly badly cracked and discoloured but the actual veneer was still pretty good. With judicious use of a hot air paint gun and a blunt scraper I managed to get all of the lacquer off fairly easily.

I then simply applied Fiddes Rugger brown wax to the veneer and, I reckon, it's come up brilliantly. It's a nice colour - not far from original - and has an excellent satin sheen - not too glossy nor too dull. Plus, no varnish to apply or deteriorate and it's easy to reapply the wax if necessary.

Cheers

Julian

Hi Julian. Many thanks. When I did the dash on my old Stag, I did the same prep to remove the old lacquer, and then got the pieces refinished by a furniture restorer. Some of the pieces I have now need re-veneering, especially the guage panel, coin tray panel and the radio panel on which I've reduced the radio slot to DIN size, so I'm going to do the lot. I may even change the wood to something other than American Black Walnut. This is a possibility: http://www.thewoodveneerhub.co.uk/sa...-31cm-78-x-12/

[Phil]

Dave

Picture of dash i built the varnish up over a number of weeks so a good 12-24 hours between coats no sign of any lifting.

Faversham Transport Weekend by philipmwsmith, on Flickr

Phil

[DJT]

Looks good, Phil. Is that the American Walnut veneer?

[Phil]

yes it is

[jagojules]

I used some pre glued iron on veneer (american walnut) on my daughters mini . I found it easy to use and the results very good. briefly the method I used was ... Sand the old dash back to a smooth surface, clean off all dust and fill any pitting. clip the veneer into place and using a hot iron run it over the outside so as melt the glue and work the veneer with a wooden block to ensure it bonds. then after 24hours check the bond and re iron any bits that are not sound, using a sharp blade trim . a quick sand is all the edges need and then I used a coloured varnish , thinning each coat a bit more over the six coats I applied (by brush) I then flatted it back and sprayed a final coat to give a nice glossy finish.
In fact I am about to do the dash in my stag with the other sheet along with all the other jobs !!
Hope this is of help
Julian (jagojules)

[Knockwurst]

I used some pre glued iron on veneer (american walnut) on my daughters mini . I found it easy to use and the results very good. briefly the method I used was ... Sand the old dash back to a smooth surface, clean off all dust and fill any pitting. clip the veneer into place and using a hot iron run it over the outside so as melt the glue and work the veneer with a wooden block to ensure it bonds. then after 24hours check the bond and re iron any bits that are not sound, using a sharp blade trim . a quick sand is all the edges need and then I used a coloured varnish , thinning each coat a bit more over the six coats I applied (by brush) I then flatted it back and sprayed a final coat to give a nice glossy finish.
In fact I am about to do the dash in my stag with the other sheet along with all the other jobs !!
Hope this is of help
Julian (jagojules)

Julian, where did you purchase the veneer and varnish from?

Cheers
Simon

[jagojules]

Found it on Ebay - look for pre glued venner- lots come up.

cheers
Julian