Dash wood panels for my 81 Fiat Spider FI

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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Dash wood panels for my 81 Fiat Spider FI

Postby RRoller123 » Fri Feb 23, 2018 7:51 am

Thanks! It (Madrone Burl) has darkened nicely over time, much more of the brown component in it now.

Not a hard upgrade, and one that I call Maximinimus, i.e. maximum benefit for minimum effort, as opposed to Minimaximus (that would be my cat).
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

Gr8Panoz
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Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2018 6:14 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

Re: Dash wood panels for my 81 Fiat Spider FI

Postby Gr8Panoz » Thu Aug 23, 2018 6:39 pm

My plan is to use a Wilsonart laminate over properly sized mdf for my new instrument panels. Laminate negates the need for sealing and finishing (although it's not real wood). I wouldn't even bother but I fell in love with this Madagascar laminate they have. I'll have to brush up on my forum posting skills. I'm not sure how to post a pic yet but if you follow the link there's a set of speakers covered with the stuff (which I'm also building and using the laminate for).


vdesigner99
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Your car is a: 1984 Pinanfarina spyder
Location: Sacramento Ca
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Re: Dash wood panels for my 81 Fiat Spider FI

Postby vdesigner99 » Mon Aug 27, 2018 4:07 pm

Gr8Panoz, I wouldn't use MDF, its basically particle board. You will get better moisture and expansion control using marine grade plywood. Especially if you don't laminate the edges. But of course this is my opinion.
Were did you get the Madrone Burl?

Cheers!
1971 MGB Roadster (sold)
1977 fiat 124 (sold)
2010 Prius
2001 Sequoia
2006 20' REgal bowrider boat.
1984 Pinanfarina

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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
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Re: Dash wood panels for my 81 Fiat Spider FI

Postby RRoller123 » Mon Aug 27, 2018 4:31 pm

https://www.veneersupplies.com/index.php

The best source by far.

Pete
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

Gr8Panoz
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2018 6:14 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

Re: Dash wood panels for my 81 Fiat Spider FI

Postby Gr8Panoz » Tue Aug 28, 2018 12:00 pm

That's a good point about the MDF. I was just thinking on the same lines as a sub box. IF either option were to fail, even eventually, at least it's a cheap upgrade and I'll have the originals as well. Thanks for tip.

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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Dash wood panels for my 81 Fiat Spider FI

Postby RRoller123 » Tue Aug 28, 2018 5:21 pm

You can veneer right over the existing plastic dash panels with excellent results. I posted a long series on here about doing just that, a few years back. Yellow glue and a couple of simple home made plywood presses and it works great.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

sweet124
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Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI 124 spider
Location: Caledon,Ontario

Re: Dash wood panels for my 81 Fiat Spider FI

Postby sweet124 » Mon Dec 18, 2023 11:21 am

I know this is an old friend but I was wondering when veneering over the existing laminate do you put glue on both the veneer and the dash panels or just on the dash panel that you’re glueing to I will be using the t tight bond 2 glue as suggested
1980 fiat spider under restoration

evm1024
Posts: 85
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:33 am
Your car is a: Pininfarina Spidereuropa 1983

Re: Dash wood panels for my 81 Fiat Spider FI

Postby evm1024 » Mon Dec 18, 2023 1:38 pm

I made mine out of solid Khaya and used a adhesive backed Khaya veneer sheet for the curved and small parts.

Not too hard - Also, either Minwax Spar varnish or Captains Varnish for the finish. About 5 to 8 coats.


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