Giulia - Wood Dash Inserts

boxcarracer · #1 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 09:44 AM

Hey guys
The color of my dad's wooden dash inserts are beginning to change color. They aren't warping or cracking, just becoming discolored (well actually... darker).
Does anyone sell precut inserts? I want this to stay as close to original as possible.
Thanks in advance

Pic for views

Jeff Trask · #2 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:21 AM

Try this: Centerline Products: DD505 Dash Wood Verneer Giulia Super

**Andrew** · #3 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:28 AM

They bleach over time from the sun from dark to light. In addition Centerline's kit, you can make your own new veneers, which I've done a couple times. You have to take the dash out and completely apart to do it. They remove the wood, trace onto the veneer of your choice, cut, varnish, polish, etc, then reassemble. It's not a small job. But if you cut your own it's practically free, other than the minimal cost of the veneer.

Andrew

boxcarracer · #4 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 12:09 PM

Yea I thought about cutting some veneer but I'd rather have something already cut to fit.
I'll send the link to my dad (thanks Jeff) but I won't rule out the DIY, it's up to him to decide.
Thanks guys

**Andrew** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 12:18 PM

Either way you have to take the dash out and apart to replace the veneer.
Andrew

boxcarracer · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 12:39 PM

Yea that's not a problem
The dash is already off the car at the moment, my dad had to for other reasons (radio change and cluster lights)

JOEBMW · #7 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 09:34 AM

What about refinishing the orginal wood?

boxcarracer · #8 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 09:53 AM

Can a veneer really get refinished?
If so... do you have any products to recommend? At this point it's worth a shot.

JOEBMW · #9 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxcarracer

Can a veneer really get refinished?
If so... do you have any products to recommend? At this point it's worth a shot.

**gprocket** · #10 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 05:05 PM

Theoretically you could refinish the veneer but be very, very careful. First the finish is a thick material that was to have a glass like surface with no grain lines. You will likely need a chemical stripper to lift it off but not allow it to soak into the back side of the veneer. Strippers usually use water to neutralize the solution - DON'T use water - your veneer will surely curl up. Once the finish is removed you are going to need to carefully sand or steel wool the surface (I really hesitate to say steel wool - very difficult to control). You need to get rid of the finish that has been in bedded in the grain but the veneer is so thin to begin with that this is virtually impossible to do. Any remaining finish will not accept stain and the result will be a blotchy finish. Sand too much and it's game over.

Also, although the wood on the dash proper is relatively stout (it is actually a multiple ply), the veneer for the curved console (of a Berlina anyway) is glued to a thin masonite type paper substrate. It is usually warped or cupped from moisture and with all the cutouts is very fragile.

For all the work, you are much better off starting with fresh veneer that is pre-sanded and has the proper backing that won't allow the glue to saturate the wood. All the dashes I've seen are standard marine grade straight grain red Mahogany (at least it is easily available in the states). Apply a stain and a polyurethane (UV stabilized) or lacquer finish and you will be much happier with the result. If you don't want to do it yourself, look for a guitar repair shop - they could easily handle it.

Good luck!

Damo105 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

They bleach over time from the sun from dark to light. In addition Centerline's kit, you can make your own new veneers, which I've done a couple times. You have to take the dash out and completely apart to do it. They remove the wood, trace onto the veneer of your choice, cut, varnish, polish, etc, then reassemble. It's not a small job. But if you cut your own it's practically free, other than the minimal cost of the veneer.

Andrew

Jeff Trask · #12 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 10:02 PM

I used pre finished teak on my 1967 Super and it looked great!:

super1750 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-21-2008, 12:11 AM

Hi Guys,

I believe the inserts are available from Alfa Service Hurtienne in Germany.

Alfa-Service ::: Home

Choose shop, choose country, enter as visitor, choose car, choose Body parts, choose Interior, choose wood cover... done!

I have tried to refinish the inserts before and it was not possible. The veneer isn't varnished, but laminated with a soft rubber-like material that can't be sanded off or otherwise removed to leave a surface that can be refinished.

Jeff, your inserts in the super look super authentic...

regards
Bob

**Andrew** · #14 (**permalink**) 02-21-2008, 07:48 AM

I bought some kind of mahogany at MacBeath Hardwoods. It wasn't actually that close a match, but it was what I wanted at the time. This was over 20 years ago now, so my recollection is less than 100%.
Andrew

**rogerspeed** · #15 (**permalink**) 02-21-2008, 07:55 AM

Refinish by stripping with chemical stripper such as spray citrus strip available at ACE hardware. You spray the stuff on like shaving creme, let it sit for a few hours, the squeegee off and wipe. Now you have the factory surface before they lacquered. so don't sand here, just stain. There has been much disagreement about the proper shade, my take is a red mahogony, look under the edges wrapped by the metal trim, the blonde color is the result of fading. Stain, wipe then lacquer/varnish, sanding between coats, done for many cars.