I had to get a new ski console for my 1992 XJS. It is light walnut but the new console is darker than the original trim wood. Is there any way I can lighten the color . Maybe put it in direct sunlight ??

Regards,

Jerry

 

That's about the only way to lighten it. The reason it's so dark, or rather why the rest is so light, is because of the UV rays from the sun. The risk you run with putting it in direct sunlight is that the urethane coating could possible yellow or crack (although it would take a while).

My thought is to save up some money and buy new trim pieces.

 

Ain't going to happen. If it is the correct part colour, you will not be able to simulate 17 years of fading.

Wierdly on my 92 XJ40 the colour of the wood around the instrument cluster is much darker than the rest of the car.

And on my 94 all the wood is the same dark colour as the instrument panel on my 92.

Completely different veneers.

So my guess is that you may have received the wrong coloured part, do you have the possibility of exchanging it for the correct colour? If you got it from a Jag dealer or one of the reputable suppliers such as Ken@Britishparts you should be OK, if it was Ebay, hmmm.