Re: Series 2 dash
My S2 has the faux wood dash that needs something. I am considering making a nice walmut solid wood piece. Has anyone gone down this road? Any ideas or sources welcomed. Also looking for the vent control plastic nibs. Sees something or someone mistook them for licorice. Rick
Wood dash
Re: Wood dash
Hi Rick,
Nice to see you on the forum. All Fulvias have a veneer dash (it's real mahogany, not 'faux wood'; it'[s just thin), which can be difficult to refinish if it's gone beyond a certain point. If you want to keep the original, you might find a millwork or cabinet shop that can refinish the original, or replace the veneer and properly finish it.
Failing that, there are commercial replacements available, which are mahogany veneer on plywood. You can locate one of these, or you can find mahogany veneer plywood of the right thickness at many millwork or hardwood lumber yards. My original was beyond saving, so I'm currently in the process of making one of the commercial replacements work. But they're not a 'plug and play' solution; they need some modification to fit properly. My advice would be to stick with your original if you can.
Nice to see you on the forum. All Fulvias have a veneer dash (it's real mahogany, not 'faux wood'; it'[s just thin), which can be difficult to refinish if it's gone beyond a certain point. If you want to keep the original, you might find a millwork or cabinet shop that can refinish the original, or replace the veneer and properly finish it.
Failing that, there are commercial replacements available, which are mahogany veneer on plywood. You can locate one of these, or you can find mahogany veneer plywood of the right thickness at many millwork or hardwood lumber yards. My original was beyond saving, so I'm currently in the process of making one of the commercial replacements work. But they're not a 'plug and play' solution; they need some modification to fit properly. My advice would be to stick with your original if you can.
-
lucasgeheniau
- Posts: 653
- Joined: 17 Dec 2008, 20:12
Re: Wood dash
Second series Fulvias originally 'have a full plastic dash, no real wood on it, just like the steering wheel.
First series 1965 cars have an all wood dash, later on it became plastic with wood veneer.
First series 1965 cars have an all wood dash, later on it became plastic with wood veneer.
Re: Wood dash
Lucas, thanks for the correction on the S2 dash. In any case, the replacement dash panels for the S2 (as well as the S1) are full wood (mahogany on plywood veneer), similar to the early S1 Coupés.
Re: Wood dash
I am not an expert wood worker but I believe a "solid piece" would quickly warp and/or crack, that is why they are veneer.
I took my S1 dash to a cabinet maker friend and he put new veneer on the old dash ( it looked more like a bakelite product than plywood). It came out beautiful and matches my Nardi wheel perfectly. If you go that route you know the dash will fit the car.
I took my S1 dash to a cabinet maker friend and he put new veneer on the old dash ( it looked more like a bakelite product than plywood). It came out beautiful and matches my Nardi wheel perfectly. If you go that route you know the dash will fit the car.
Re: Wood dash
Thanks Ed, for the welcome and Lucas for your post. The photo was taken Monday so we still have some good driving days. It was gorgeous that day. Linda, my wife, is perfectly scaled for the car.
Back to the dash, ,,,I found a site www.rvinyl.com in the US that specializes in "stick-on" products for cars. They offer a micro thin wood grained product that has some potential. I haven't yet spoken to them but the site says they will make any format for any car and it must be rather economical with today's computer capabilities which I am sure they have. It's got to be better than the materials that were passed off as "wood grained" dashes of the mid 60's on some of the Alfas like the Sprint GT. Another interesting feature is the grain is mahogany, burled walnut , and a few others that escape me. I won't do it until I receive a sample. The posted instuctions allow application on the car. It only requires a clean surface and a steady hand (oh dear!) .. also it has to be mounted straight! I'll keep you posted on the subject.
I might need a template, so if anyone has a dash out.... well you know where I'm going. Thanks Rick
Back to the dash, ,,,I found a site www.rvinyl.com in the US that specializes in "stick-on" products for cars. They offer a micro thin wood grained product that has some potential. I haven't yet spoken to them but the site says they will make any format for any car and it must be rather economical with today's computer capabilities which I am sure they have. It's got to be better than the materials that were passed off as "wood grained" dashes of the mid 60's on some of the Alfas like the Sprint GT. Another interesting feature is the grain is mahogany, burled walnut , and a few others that escape me. I won't do it until I receive a sample. The posted instuctions allow application on the car. It only requires a clean surface and a steady hand (oh dear!) .. also it has to be mounted straight! I'll keep you posted on the subject.
I might need a template, so if anyone has a dash out.... well you know where I'm going. Thanks Rick
Re: Wood dash
Rick,
Don't even think of doing anything with the dash in place--it's too simple to take it out.
It's held in place at only three points: the two escutcheons that flank the steering wheel (left for odometer reset, and right for dash light rheostat), and a small nut inside the glove box. Once you undo those three points, you just have to carefully wiggle it out; it's often somewhat trapped under the lip of the dash pad. But it's that simple to remove; if you work very slowly and deliberately, it could take an entire minute.
Don't even think of doing anything with the dash in place--it's too simple to take it out.
It's held in place at only three points: the two escutcheons that flank the steering wheel (left for odometer reset, and right for dash light rheostat), and a small nut inside the glove box. Once you undo those three points, you just have to carefully wiggle it out; it's often somewhat trapped under the lip of the dash pad. But it's that simple to remove; if you work very slowly and deliberately, it could take an entire minute.
Re: Wood dash
Oh, boy! That's a nice surprise! Now how do I remove the chrome knobs without botching that part?
Re: Wood dash
Simple. The escutcheons should only be finger-tight, so you can unscrew them by hand. If they've been overtightened, and you can't get them off with your fingers alone, wrap them with a rag or shop towel ans use a pair of vise-grips with light pressure.
-
Bart Verbeek
- Posts: 267
- Joined: 17 Dec 2008, 19:54
Re: Wood dash
Rick
The dash of my S2 zagato has a non original remake in triplex with a veneer layer in walnut. It's something from one of the previous owners, but it doesn't look that difficult.
A good woodshop (in furniture) could help you out I think! Maybe you can choose from a wide range of wood veneers....
bart
The dash of my S2 zagato has a non original remake in triplex with a veneer layer in walnut. It's something from one of the previous owners, but it doesn't look that difficult.
A good woodshop (in furniture) could help you out I think! Maybe you can choose from a wide range of wood veneers....
bart
[IMG]http://i62.tinypic.com/2sakz2g.png[/IMG]
