[esahlin]

Originally Posted by theYman

I have a picture of it installed on the dash in my 69. I bought it from PY a month ago and really like it.

Trent

That looks nice on your dash Trent!

[theYman]

Originally Posted by esahlin

That looks nice on your dash Trent!

Thanks! I refuse to show the turned engine vinyl I had on it before. lol,
Ok, I experimented. I failed.

[esahlin]

After a long difficult search.....I finally found some Burlwood "applique" that I like. Real walnut burlwood.

[boater bill]

Where did you find it and how much did it cost?

[esahlin]

I bought some real Walnut Burlwood veneer......the actual real wood like U use for furniture or cabinets its about 1/42 thick. I then took each of my center console pieces and vacuum bagged (using epoxy as adhesive) some of the wood veneer to each piece. Then I painted it with automotive polyurethane clear coat......sand and buff. I am doing the same with my center dash piece and the center dash ashtray.....so far so good.

[rohrt]

Originally Posted by esahlin

I bought some real Walnut Burlwood veneer......the actual real wood like U use for furniture or cabinets its about 1/42 thick. I then took each of my center console pieces and vacuum bagged (using epoxy as adhesive) some of the wood veneer to each piece. Then I painted it with automotive polyurethane clear coat......sand and buff. I am doing the same with my center dash piece and the center dash ashtray.....so far so good.

Alright I'm interested in this too. The part looks great! Can you post some pics of the installation?

Where did you buy the veneer? Any Part # on it.

What prep did you do on the old pieces before you applied it?

[esahlin]

When you buy real wood veneer.....your going to have to choose the grain pattern that you like since they are all different. Even with Walnut Burlwood grain....each sheet of veneer is different. However, in some cases you can get several sheets of the same pattern.....if the seller has them bundled that way. So I chose a Walnut Burl grain pattern I liked and went with it.

U then need to get a vacuum system set up (Buy or make one) so that you can vacuum bag the part with the veneer over it. The vacuum bagging will pull the veneer around the part and make it conform flat to its shape. U have to soften the veneer prior to forming cause it will want to crack as it bends over corners and edges etc. U apply the adhesive prior to vacuum bagging and then while the adhesive (I used epoxy.....best for metal IMO) is still wet you have to place the part in the vacuum bag and draw the vacuum. Once under vacuum let the part dry for a day or two and then you can sand, paint and buff etc.

Heres where I bought my veneer and he has some good ideas on vacuum bagging, adhesives, softening the veneer. Great site. But mostly geared toward using veneer for furniture etc. The veneer is graded by quality and grain pattern so pick a high quality pattern cause it will look much better especially on a small piece in a car.

http://www.veneersupplies.com/

His information site:

http://www.joewoodworker.com/

Pics below: Still working on the big console piece and I just finished up the center dash bezel thing....The PRNDL plate and the center dash bezel havent been fully sanded and need a couple more coats of polyurethane......sand & buff.