leeduncombe Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 As a winter project I am planning on refurbishing my instruments. Earlier in the year I removed and repaired my speedo as the odometer had stuck at 79999 and needed a bit of a nudge to turn the gears. Have to say the cleaned and polished speedo that I refitted really showed up the other instruments and gave me confidence that I could have a go myself including respraying the black bezels. Anyway, the main point of my post is that my dashboard, whilst in very good condition is a rather dull teak and frankly I much prefer darker fascias, so I am thinking of changing the dash for a walnut finish. Can anyone advise whether I am better off having my existing dash re-veneered or should I buy a new fascia. Also with a darker fascia is it normal to retain the black bezels or would a chrome finnish look better? Sorry if this offends any purists. I would be very grateful for any advice. Kind regards, Lee. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Austin Branson Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 Hi, Lee, I have a similar conundrum. I have read on this august forum, that the re-veneered option is preferred. I have no doubt you will get advice from people who have actually done it. My view on the bezels is a little more clouded. The tach and speedo on mine are chrome finish - it's a USA car, but when I looked closely, the matt black is there, simply polished off over the years. However, driving in the dark is awful - there are two half-moon reflections in the windscreen, exactly in my line of view, from the two chrome bezels. If you go ahead with this mod, I believe that you will somehow need to address this - possibly using a different instrument illumination (LED lights?), and I would be eternally grateful if you could advise me of how to correct these reflections, when you have successfully done so. Stay in touch, Austin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WWT338J Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 I used these guys http://www.chapmanandcliff.co.uk/ Their workmanship is superb and their rates compared very favourably with buying a new dash from Moss. Not sure about chrome (mine is an early TR6). David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Harvey Posted November 13, 2012 Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 (edited) Hi Lee, Being an antique restorer and french polisher of many years experience I took my dash out and re-veneered it in burr walnut in a veneer press then laquered it. The company mentioned above are offering this service and in my opinion this is the best way to go rather than buying a dash that has already been done. If you use your original dash it should fit back with no problems a replacement may not Hope this helps.John. Edited November 13, 2012 by John Harvey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Edwin Posted November 13, 2012 Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 Hi, I have done this job myself and to be honest it was very easy to do. Takes a while to get it 'perfect' but I'm pleased with the result. I've got some pictures on my site of the process: http://www.edwintref...oard/index.html Cheers, Edwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grahamgl Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 Hi, I used the above company two years ago to re-veneer the original dashboard in my 4A. Really disappointed at their first attempt, it had to go back to be re-done. The holes for the two warning lights had been sanded and finished to an eliptical shape. So much for working at Rolls Royce and Bentley! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
julianhensman Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Hi, I suggest whilst you have your instruments out of the dash that you very carefully take them out of their casings and paint the inside of the casings white with white smooth Hammerite. I wrote an article for my local group newsletter explaining, incuding pictures, which can be found here: http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/lea-valley/docs/Trunnion%2020126_trweb.pdf. see pages 9 and 10. The difference is amazing. Jules Quote Link to post Share on other sites
leeduncombe Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Thanks to everyone who replied; i'm very grateful. I'm probably going to pay to have the dash re-veneered, but will have a go at refurbishing the instruments. I love Jules' idea of painting the inside of the casings white. I will let you know how I got on. Kind Regards, Lee. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Edwin I would like to redo the veneer on mine, its the pale one, not the dark walnut, a few questions, where do you get the veneer from, what is the wood of the pale one, do you have to take off the old veneer, or is the new just stuck down over it, is there a special glue to use, are the recesses of the gauges painted black? John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Edwin Posted November 22, 2012 Report Share Posted November 22, 2012 Hi John, I got the veneer from a friend of mine, who got it from someone that makes custom kitchens. I can't remember what type of wood is was... I do remember it only cost me about 10 euro's Before putting on the new veneer I removed all of the clear lacquer from the old veneer and used good quality wood glue, then used 2 very thick pieces of wood to clamp it together for about 24 hours. The recesses of the gauges are painted dark brown. This weekend I will try to give the instruments the same treatment as Jules mentioned... looks very promising Cheers, Edwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scorpio Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Got my veneer from :http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Veneers-Online?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grabea Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Thought this was about veneer not viagra? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Inspired by this thread, the veneering part not the Viagra part...., i'm contemplating re-veneering my dash. two questions : Firstly is the iron-on veneer ok, i like the ease of application vs glueing. Secondly, how do i cut the instrument holes neatly? thanks in advance steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.