Jaguar put out a Service Adminatrative Bulletin in October 1997 (amended in July 2000) on a Wood Veneer Repair Program with Madera Concepts in Santa Barbara CA.

Their website is: Automotive Wood Restoration

Scroll thru the webpages on their website to view the before and after photos - beautiful restorations.

Here are the prices that are listed in the Oct 97 bulletin for XJ8 models:




NOTES: * With Inlay ADD $15.00 ** For Color Change ADD $20.00

Bulletin number is 3-158

Jim Lombardi

 

I would assume this only would have applied to the cars when under their factory warranty. Is that correct?

 

It does not sound like it.
Quote: If the wood in your Jaguar is showing its age, give us a call, we are at your service!
805-962-1579 7am to 3:30pm PT Mon - Fri

Their website seems to invite all customers.

Jim Lombardi

 

The dealer sent my airbag panel and the shifter surround to CA back when my 02 R was still covered by the warranty -- must have been this place.

Finish match was perfect and has held up. The finish had cracked in a couple of places.

 

There seem to be two places that get high marks on this forum

One is Madera in CA: Automotive Wood Restoration

The other is British Autowood in FL: British Autowood | Dashboard and Woodwork Restoration

I've not personally done business with either, but in the XK8 section, members have been very happy with British Autowood.

 

$64 to refinish a shift knob? I picked up one in perfect condition for $25 at the junk yard this spring.

 

I had my picnic trays refinished by British Autowood in FL. I believe I talked to a guy named Saul. Beautiful work, not cheap though.

 

I have dealt with both of them & can highly recommend both of them.

 

I can second Maderia in California. Redid a fascia for my Lotus Europa...and it was almost too nice to put back in the car. Looked more like a fine piece of woodwork than a mounting place for a passel of Smiths gauges and Lucas rocker switches.

Not cheap, but not too dear, either. If you want great results, it does cost a bit to get there (IOW, people who charge less usually know what they're worth...)

 

madera is the only Jaguar Factory "AUTHORIZED" veneer repairers. And the reason sent is because you dont just want a "Differeant" piece it wont match your interior. If your clear is cracked and the veneer is fine they strip and reclear so you still have you same matching piece that was cut from the sheet for the entire interior of your car. They can reveneer too and many times get a close match that you wont notice. But keep in mind that over the years I have seen some pretty unique and wild variations in color and patterns and you definitly dont want to change that uniqueness or itll stand out. Cheap no. but need I remind anyone you drive a LUXURY car! Prices for parts accordingly

 

Madera is outstanding. I put their wood dash in my Jensen Healey and it was beautifully done. I have a crack in my XJR rear door panel and will be sending it to them in the winter.

I have bought a few gear shift knobs from British Autowood and couldn't be happier with them. Amazing quality!

 

I apologize for resurrecting an old thread. I have three pieces of wood trim that are cracked. As some of you may know, the 1998 XJR had a unique wood trim color, a very deep green, almost black. Before I call Madera, I would like to know if anyone has experience with them repairing this color. Can they match the color if they have to re-veneer the cracked pieces? Thank you.

 

That's too funny..Convincor and I were just talking about the different trim in the '98's a couple of days ago.

The OP says that the bulletin first came out in 1997, so I would assume that the 98 trim would be something that they can take care of you. Hopefully someone else will chime in though

 

I love the veneer in my 98' R as well. I've not seen such a dark color on any other one around. It looks almost black to me. The only thing I wish was improved on is my steering wheel. It looks like a stained oak that's much lighter in color than the rest of my veneer. I'm not sure if it's related to the sun bleaching it or if it's supposed to be that way... Any thoughts on this?

 

I refinished my 98's steering wheel as part of the overall refurbish process I'm doing. The wood was dark but not nearly as dark as the near-black trim in the rest of the car. Since my wheel was in pretty tough shape I sanded it down and refinished the wood with Minwax dark walnut. I applied several coats, making it progressively darker. It came out very nice, still not as dark as the other trim, but darker than it was originally. I toyed with the idea of using Minwax's piano black stain, but I'm glad I went with the dark walnut. It complements the rest of the trim pretty well. As an aside, I sent the wheel to Dallas Custom Steering Wheel to have new leather installed after I finished the wood. They did a great job. Unable to distinguish from brand new. I'll try to attach a picture...




Shown with the airbag set loosely in place before I reassembled the controls.

 

Astute viewers will notice that I didn't go back with the perforated leather. No reason other than I like this look better than the perforated leather.

 

They refinished parts of my dash years ago under the extended warranty for a CPO vehicle i owned. Jaguar did not have to pay for it -- but they did.

If you have a concern -- give them a call. I was surprised when a couple years ago a guy had the interior from a x300 totaled with low miles. Had a whole set of wood go for silly low money -- so the stuff is out there.

 

Every '98 that I've seen has a lighter-colored steering wheel, when compared to the rest of the wood in the car. Like you, I am not sure why.. Only seems to be that year.

 

Looks great!