I have got to say a big thank you for the responses to this thread, really really interesting and informative.
I am going to take the Myrtle suggestion from nileseh, it will also allow me to change the computer back to a clock, which I prefer.
I loved the birds eye maple from LT1 jaguar, absolutely stunning, and very impressed by the artwork on the painted option.
I am also impressed at how many people are confident to remove the main dashboard (this still scares me a little)
Anyway thank you very much. I will post an updated interior shot when complete as car now has refurbished leather and new carpets.
Grahama

 

Darren, as you found out, the panel around the trip computer is metal which takes a slightly different approach. Most glues don't like to stick to metal, not porous enough. If you rough up the surface of the metal with very coarse abrasive (50 or 60 grit) you stand a better chance. Wood moves around more than metal (steel) and is always putting a strain on the adhesive. On that panel, I used JB Weld, it will cure anything from a sliver in your finger to cancer (that may be an exaggeration). That product is a liquid epoxy with metal mixed in. It will stick to the metal panel very well and, of course, it will stick to the wood. Don't plan on ever taking the two apart.

Dave

 

Welcome aboard David, I would be willing help you out with your veneer project. What would you like to know first? Just briefly, where are you on the project now?

Dave

 

hi: not sure where you are at in the dismantling stage of the dashboard renewal project but i've attached this video that shows how to remove the gauges. while jesse doesn't show how to remove the dash pad or the dash wood, it has some useful information. you are inspiring me to redo my tired dash wood. ren

 

The dash cap is easy to remove.
Disconnect the Ground/earth strap from the battery so you don't short out the map light
Remove/disconnect the Map Light (this is hot at all times, which is why you need to remove battery ground)

Remove the demist grills and the end trims (these may be screwed to the end of dash cap on S3)

There are 3 or 4 (maybe 5, it's been some years since I did this) big honkin sheet metal screws under the lip on the aft edge, remove those.

Tip the dash cap up slightly on the forward edge and pull it toward you and out of the car.
(';')