Veneer on dash panels on my '81

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spiderdan
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Your car is a: 1968 124 Sport Spider
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: Veneer on dash panels on my '81

Postby spiderdan » Tue Feb 28, 2017 5:47 pm

That's going to look great Richard.
I should try to do the same to mine.
A few years ago at the Italian car parade I was told by an Italian car expert (aren't we all) that a dash with a split and a wood dash with cracks proves it's a "Survivor 68 Spider"...
That's my line and I'm sticking to it! :wink:
Dan
1968 124 Sport Spider
"Angelina"
2015 Toyota Camry XSE (hers)
2016 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited (cottage toy)
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rjkoop
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Re: Veneer on dash panels on my '81

Postby rjkoop » Tue Feb 28, 2017 6:57 pm

spiderdan wrote:That's going to look great Richard.
I should try to do the same to mine.
A few years ago at the Italian car parade I was told by an Italian car expert (aren't we all) that a dash with a split and a wood dash with cracks proves it's a "Survivor 68 Spider"...
That's my line and I'm sticking to it! :wink:


So that's how you identify a '68. Good to know... :wink:

If you end up interested in doing it I bought a 2'x8' rolled up section of veneer from Lee Valley and I think I only used about 2' of it. Your welcome to whatever you need. No point in having it sit in my basement unused!

Richard

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spiderdan
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Re: Veneer on dash panels on my '81

Postby spiderdan » Wed Mar 01, 2017 6:11 am

rjkoop wrote:Your welcome to whatever you need.

Tx Richard, I just might take you up on that offer. I would be willing to pay for it or trade for beers. :mrgreen:
I'm just not sure what I have to work with. On the 68 it seems to be a pine type of plywood (not much grain) with a coat of clear on it. On mine, it is the clear that has cracked and not the wood itself. I was going to sand/strip it and see if I could just refinish it. I have had good results using Minwax furniture refinisher in the past and was going to try that before I go the route of veneer.

Going up to the cottage today to see if I can make it to the the Fiat garage and check things out. I think I'm still snowed in up there.
Waiting for spring.

Looking forward to seeing the finished/installed dash.
Keep up the good work and tx for posting.
Dan
1968 124 Sport Spider
"Angelina"
2015 Toyota Camry XSE (hers)
2016 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited (cottage toy)
http://s1342.photobucket.com/user/68spi ... t%20Spider
http://www.youtube.com/user/Coontache/videos

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rjkoop
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Re: Veneer on dash panels on my '81

Postby rjkoop » Sat Mar 11, 2017 2:37 pm

A few more pics...

Before...

Image

After...

Image

Glove box (still have to put emblem back on and lock)...

Image

Lower center console...

Image
Last edited by rjkoop on Sat Nov 04, 2017 7:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

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rjkoop
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Re: Veneer on dash panels on my '81

Postby rjkoop » Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:14 pm

What should I use to reattach plate onto front of glove box?

Image

It was attached with black sticky stuff. I was thinking contact cement or epoxy.

And I covered the back side of the glove box with veneer and didn't mark the old screw holes. :roll:

What's the best way to locate them again? Should I just put some chalk/something on the glove brackets and try to place the glove box in place and look where the mark is on the back of the glove box cover? Or is there a good trick to ensure the door will align?

And has anyone tried to brighten up the plastic light holders on the dash?

Image

Maybe wet sand to clean them up?

Richard
Last edited by rjkoop on Sat Nov 04, 2017 7:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

profcucchi
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Re: Veneer on dash panels on my '81

Postby profcucchi » Mon Mar 13, 2017 7:19 pm

That is great looking work.

I'm still afraid to pull the panels out... :wink:
1979 Fiat 2000 "Luigi"

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rjkoop
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Re: Veneer on dash panels on my '81

Postby rjkoop » Mon Mar 13, 2017 7:31 pm

profcucchi wrote:That is great looking work.

I'm still afraid to pull the panels out... :wink:


not bad at all. and i love the results so it's worth it. veneer is actually really easy to work with.

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rjkoop
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Re: Veneer on dash panels on my '81

Postby rjkoop » Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:49 am

And if anyone has a description or good pics of how the glove box knob/lock mechanism works it would be much appreciated. Had to take time out to veneer it and not quite sure how to get it to work correctly. I assume I should have the inside clamp point upwards and the outside lock facing straight down but when I insert the spring it doesn't seem to work correctly. Some close pictures might help if anyone has some.

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rjkoop
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Re: Veneer on dash panels on my '81

Postby rjkoop » Sun Mar 19, 2017 7:38 am

Installed...

Image

Still have to install latch inside glove box...

Image

And fix 'Gansta Lean' on radio...

Image

.. but overall I love the look.

Richard
Last edited by rjkoop on Sat Nov 04, 2017 7:47 am, edited 1 time in total.

fiat218
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Re: Veneer on dash panels on my '81

Postby fiat218 » Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:05 am

I like the darker too, i am going with walnut also in the 70, and maybe cherry in the 69
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
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RRoller123
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Re: Veneer on dash panels on my '81

Postby RRoller123 » Sun Mar 19, 2017 5:26 pm

Nice! Goes really well with the light seat color.
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