Spider Point walnut dash equivalent??

[burgandy81]

Hi all,

Over the years I have acquired all the "walnut" interior trim pieces (dash, console, E-brake handle, shift knob) from Spider Point. I like the look although my gauge cluster and glove box are both de-laminating and look a little shabby.

I am now considering a layout change to the dash which will involve a solid piece of wood for the dash replacing the instrument cluster and the typical center panel panels. I hope to install 3 gauges in the center of the console similar to the 124 coupe layout.

I am looking to build a custom dash that will match my existing "walnut" pieces. I use the " " as I recognize the Spider Point is a plastic print, not real wood.

My question is;

Can anyone identify the laminate used by Spider Point?
Where can I buy small pieces 1' x 6'?
Any suggestions for a real Walnut veneer that would be a close match to the existing panels?

Cheers,

Jordan

[davery]

Hi all,

Over the years I have acquired all the "walnut" interior trim pieces (dash, console, E-brake handle, shift knob) from Spider Point. I like the look although my gauge cluster and glove box are both de-laminating and look a little shabby.

I am now considering a layout change to the dash which will involve a solid piece of wood for the dash replacing the instrument cluster and the typical center panel panels. I hope to install 3 gauges in the center of the console similar to the 124 coupe layout.

I am looking to build a custom dash that will match my existing "walnut" pieces. I use the " " as I recognize the Spider Point is a plastic print, not real wood.

My question is;

Can anyone identify the laminate used by Spider Point?
Where can I buy small pieces 1' x 6'?
Any suggestions for a real Walnut veneer that would be a close match to the existing panels?

Cheers,

Jordan

I would check at a kitchen counter place. They would have the largest collection of laminates. If you are wanting to match your existing laminate to a real walnut, you would have to talk with someone at a lumber supply place. I do not know the specific laminate you are talking about.

[burgandy81]

Hi Davery,

Thanks for the reply. My photos of my actual dash are horrible. Below is a screen shot of the Spider Point website, this will give a good idea of what I am looking for.



It is a relatively high gloss plastic laminate with a burled walnut pattern. I love real burled walnut and this is an acceptable approximation that provides good resistance to UV and moisture.

I will have a look at some kitchen supply places although I worked for a high end kitchen design firm for a while and this style of laminate was not something that was ever available. When specialty laminates were available, the cost for a single 10' x 4' sheet was often beyond the scope of this project.

Any further input is much appreciated.

Jordan

[seabeelt]

Google burled walnut veneers. There are a bunch of suppliers that make the stuff. Perhaps one of them may have "remnants" that they would sell, but then you have to stain and finish to match your existing. Recommend you buy enough to do the whole thing then all will match when you are done.
R/

[RRoller123]

http://www.veneersupplies.com best in the business, I used their Madrone Burl. Every lot is individually photographed, and you should have no trouble getting a very close match.

Pete

[spidernut]

If just the surface laminate is coming off, you can re-laminate it with contact cement. If the plywood itself is de-laminating, it usually is a lost cause.

[burgandy81]

Pete,

Awesome link! Exactly what I was looking for.

Spidernut,

Yes I was thinking about a repair initially. Currently I am thinking about making a new dash to match.

Seabeelt,

Good suggestion, I will try to get enough to redo everything. Just in case.

[baltobernie]

Once you get underway, you'll discover that there are three different thicknesses of dash "wood", irrespective of actual material originally used. The glove box door is the thickest, at about 3/8", the two identical pieces containing the seat belt and other warning lights are very thin, only a few 32nds, and the cluster is in-between. If you're going to eliminate the center bezel and construct the entire dash from one piece and the glove box door with another, you'll have an easier time of it. Many have done this mod, and you can Search this forum for their results. That center bezel is very difficult to refinish, and repro versions from Spiderpoint are expensive.

Do you have your other interior bits sourced yet? It helps to have everything together, particularly the steering wheel, when experimenting with colors. The human eye is terrible at determining absolute color values, but excellent in comparing adjacent items.

Lastly, for those of you with early cars who are performing repairs or dashboard restoration, consider replacing your cardboard glove box with the identical plastic version from newer Spiders.

[RRoller123]

If you aren't modifying the overall layout of the dash, you can get pretty good results by just veneering over the existing pieces. This takes away the fit and thickness problems.

[burgandy81]

Baltobernie,

Thanks for the heads up. Yes, i am planning to delete the center bezel and relate parts. Final layout will be entire dash one piece with the glove box as a second piece.

I almost have everything. I will be installing a 3 gauge kit from a VW Cabriolet. Volts, Oil Temp and Oil Pressure. The VDO units are similar to the FIAT units and if you get gauges from a Cabrio the sun has even bleached the usually red arms to white. my current plan is for a rheostat centered under the outer gauges with a couple of toggle switches spaced evenly between. I will delete the idiot lights.

The only pieces i don't have are chrome bezels for the VDO gauges. Anyone have 3 bezels for 2 1/16 gauges?

Great call on the colour. I have a Nardi wheel which I would love to match. I will proceed with caution.

RRoller123,

Looking good! I really like that veneer. Any shots of the completed work?

[RRoller123]

The veneer thickness has no overall effect on the fit, since it is so thin. I still need to work on the radio trim piece in this pic, to paint the small trim piece black to match the center trim, but it is basically finished.

[burgandy81]

Thanks Pete,

That looks fantastic!

[Kingme2]

I moved all buttons/dials from the centre console... Down below.

http://myfiat.weebly.com/upgrades-doneagain.html

http://myfiat.weebly.com/upgrades-done.html]

I much prefer this location... And leaves the expanse of the dash cleaner.

[RRoller123]

Clever!

[burgandy81]

Hey KingMe2,

Tell us about those heated seat buttons!! That is something I have always thought would be a great addition to my spider.

Good looking console.