Veneer repair: Amateur Hour
Thread Starter
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 246
From: Chicago, IL
Update!
Just thought I'd update everyone on my progress. Upon opening and inspecting the set, it's not in as good as shape as I'd hoped. Some of the pieces have surface scratching, etc. Not up to my (admittedly high) standards. But, for $300 for a complete set, I'm not complaining (especially since I hope to sell my existing set for more).
My new plans are to bite the bullet and have Saul re-veneer the set. It is expensive, but I've decided to have it done is Black Stained Ash, as seen in the Rolls Royce Phantom, among others. I can better justify the cost since it will be unique.
If you have an earlier car, you know it says "XK8" in gold inlay on the dash in the original script. They switched over to the leaper and "Jaguar" script for the later models in silver inlay. I've decided to do a combination of the two, by having the new style 2005-2006 XK8 script done in a silver inlay. With the all-leather wheel (thanks to JgaXkr), I'm thinking this will make my interior sportier looking while still retaining the warmth of wood many here favor. Also, my exterior is Slate. So, the cooler blacks/grays of the ash should complement the blue/grey of the paint better than my existing reddish toned burl walnut.
My new plans are to bite the bullet and have Saul re-veneer the set. It is expensive, but I've decided to have it done is Black Stained Ash, as seen in the Rolls Royce Phantom, among others. I can better justify the cost since it will be unique.
If you have an earlier car, you know it says "XK8" in gold inlay on the dash in the original script. They switched over to the leaper and "Jaguar" script for the later models in silver inlay. I've decided to do a combination of the two, by having the new style 2005-2006 XK8 script done in a silver inlay. With the all-leather wheel (thanks to JgaXkr), I'm thinking this will make my interior sportier looking while still retaining the warmth of wood many here favor. Also, my exterior is Slate. So, the cooler blacks/grays of the ash should complement the blue/grey of the paint better than my existing reddish toned burl walnut.
Last edited by 01Silverstone; Mar 18, 2014 at 11:14 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 246
From: Chicago, IL
In case anyone was curious, Saul and I have been looking over different veneer options and I've narrowed it down to a few options:
1. Mahogany Swirl
2. Gaboon Ebony
3. Brazilian Rosewood
4. Tamo Ash
Pictures in order below. They would all be stained a rather dark brown (except for the Ebony, for obvious reasons). Any comments/opinions/thoughts welcome!
1. Mahogany Swirl
2. Gaboon Ebony
3. Brazilian Rosewood
4. Tamo Ash
Pictures in order below. They would all be stained a rather dark brown (except for the Ebony, for obvious reasons). Any comments/opinions/thoughts welcome!
Last edited by 01Silverstone; Mar 29, 2014 at 08:08 PM.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 547
From: North Carolina
FYI, Saul just refinished my factory steering wheel in piano black for me. I have wanted my interior totally unique so I used 3M brushed titanium vinyl wrap on all the wood and added some piano black accents both with black wrap and Saull's black shifter knob. Now I'm sending him a shifter surround to do in piano black as well. The wheel looks so amazing I decided to add just a touch more black.
By the way, if anyone needs a leather steering wheel, I've got a black one. May eBay it.
By the way, if anyone needs a leather steering wheel, I've got a black one. May eBay it.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,997
Likes: 714
From: Waco, Texas, US
Sorry if I get off-thread, but Phil you should leave the surround chrome. It matches the rings around the gauges and the accent you have on the black dash strip perfectly.
As to the wood samples, depends on the look you want. The mahogany will look amazing with a warm brown finish, but I got the impression darker was what you wanted. For that, take the ebony or darken up the ash. I think dark ash was your first choice, right?
As to the wood samples, depends on the look you want. The mahogany will look amazing with a warm brown finish, but I got the impression darker was what you wanted. For that, take the ebony or darken up the ash. I think dark ash was your first choice, right?
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 547
From: North Carolina
This is what I'm having refinished in piano black for my car. I'm leaving the chrome shifter plate so it will match the dash.
As for his veneer choices, I think the ebony and dark stained ash look very similar. Ebony with some inlay would be stunning!!
As for his veneer choices, I think the ebony and dark stained ash look very similar. Ebony with some inlay would be stunning!!
Thread Starter
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 246
From: Chicago, IL
I'm leaning towards the ebony too, I think. I'll be able to leave it natural and not have to worry about losing grain by staining. And yes, the ash was my first choice. I was looking at burl ash before, but apparently the Tamo ash has a much nicer grain. Supposedly it looks almost 3-D.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,997
Likes: 714
From: Waco, Texas, US
Thread Starter
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 246
From: Chicago, IL
I saw your piano black wheel on Saul's Facebook page and it looked amazing! More piano black will look great, but I agree.. Don't do away with all of the aluminum-colored trim you've added. I like the contrast.
That's my only concern with the Ebony. It might not be enough contrast since my whole interior is black.
Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,953
Likes: 1,120
From: Phoenix, AZ USA
My 2 cents is to go with the ash and keep it a light color for contrast. I think the ebony would almost disappear.
If you left the ash natural or near so it would really stand out.
If you left the ash natural or near so it would really stand out.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 547
From: North Carolina
I saw your piano black wheel on Saul's Facebook page and it looked amazing! More piano black will look great, but I agree.. Don't do away with all of the aluminum-colored trim you've added. I like the contrast.
That's my only concern with the Ebony. It might not be enough contrast since my whole interior is black.
That's my only concern with the Ebony. It might not be enough contrast since my whole interior is black.
Thread Starter
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 246
From: Chicago, IL
Ok. That changes things. I originally wrapped my entire interior in piano black with black leather and it was just too much. If you don't have the chrome gage rings and shifter surround, I'd add them and a chrome shifter knob. I might rethink the ash. Maybe do a very light stain?
I do have the the gauge rings, j-gate surround, pedals in chrome/aluminum as well as the shift knob (chrome/leather). I've thought about the ash, but I really love dark wood. My LR3 has piano black with an all black interior and I like it. However, something I've noticed is that I'm not a fan of wood with a linear grain. At least not for this car.. its needs to be a burl of some sort in my opinion. So I'm leaning towards the Tamo ash again, or maybe Mappa burl (below). Both would be stained grey (kind of like the birds eye maple, but darker). That should still provide some nice contrast without going black, right?
Last edited by 01Silverstone; Mar 30, 2014 at 11:00 PM.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 547
From: North Carolina
That with a light gray stain would be perfect.
I like the all black too but it made me notice my leather more and before I had new seats installed, my old ones looked more worn. And they weren't in that bad of shape.
I like the all black too but it made me notice my leather more and before I had new seats installed, my old ones looked more worn. And they weren't in that bad of shape.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 449
Likes: 144
From: Salem, OR
Not to change the subject of replacing veneer, but it is possible to refinish veneer so long as the scratches do not penetrate the veneer itself.
The Brit TV program Wheeler Dealer repaired a dash veneer on an XJS. It was sent to a specialist who carefully sanded the scratches smooth and then sprayed several coats of automotive lacquer for that ultra-reflective surface. It wasn't cheap, but using the old veneer eliminated the matching problem with new material.
In my own cased my wood-trimmed steering wheel ('07 XK) had scratches that were made by the rings worn by a former owner. I lightly sanded these scratches smooth using 1500 grit wet sand paper. I didn't sand completely through the finish, but now the surface is no longer high gloss and more "satin" finish, which I like a lot.
The Brit TV program Wheeler Dealer repaired a dash veneer on an XJS. It was sent to a specialist who carefully sanded the scratches smooth and then sprayed several coats of automotive lacquer for that ultra-reflective surface. It wasn't cheap, but using the old veneer eliminated the matching problem with new material.
In my own cased my wood-trimmed steering wheel ('07 XK) had scratches that were made by the rings worn by a former owner. I lightly sanded these scratches smooth using 1500 grit wet sand paper. I didn't sand completely through the finish, but now the surface is no longer high gloss and more "satin" finish, which I like a lot.
Thread Starter
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 246
From: Chicago, IL
Not to change the subject of replacing veneer, but it is possible to refinish veneer so long as the scratches do not penetrate the veneer itself.
The Brit TV program Wheeler Dealer repaired a dash veneer on an XJS. It was sent to a specialist who carefully sanded the scratches smooth and then sprayed several coats of automotive lacquer for that ultra-reflective surface. It wasn't cheap, but using the old veneer eliminated the matching problem with new material.
In my own cased my wood-trimmed steering wheel ('07 XK) had scratches that were made by the rings worn by a former owner. I lightly sanded these scratches smooth using 1500 grit wet sand paper. I didn't sand completely through the finish, but now the surface is no longer high gloss and more "satin" finish, which I like a lot.
The Brit TV program Wheeler Dealer repaired a dash veneer on an XJS. It was sent to a specialist who carefully sanded the scratches smooth and then sprayed several coats of automotive lacquer for that ultra-reflective surface. It wasn't cheap, but using the old veneer eliminated the matching problem with new material.
In my own cased my wood-trimmed steering wheel ('07 XK) had scratches that were made by the rings worn by a former owner. I lightly sanded these scratches smooth using 1500 grit wet sand paper. I didn't sand completely through the finish, but now the surface is no longer high gloss and more "satin" finish, which I like a lot.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 547
From: North Carolina
I've just got to say I'm watching this very closely. I had wanted from day one to have the wood in my car replaced with something completely unique! I may have even posted a thread a year ago or so show unit a guitar with a similar wood you're looking at. Then I found the vinyl wraps and tried some wood finishes but finally ended with the titanium and after seeing the original F type interior I decided to stick with it, adding some piano black details.
So I can't wait to see how yours turns out! And now that I see your car color, I hate to say but the clear birds eye maple with some dark inlay band could be absolutely out of this world! Look at jaguar.com at some of the upgrades that can be added to the XJ wood interiors.
So I can't wait to see how yours turns out! And now that I see your car color, I hate to say but the clear birds eye maple with some dark inlay band could be absolutely out of this world! Look at jaguar.com at some of the upgrades that can be added to the XJ wood interiors.
Thread Starter
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 246
From: Chicago, IL
I've just got to say I'm watching this very closely. I had wanted from day one to have the wood in my car replaced with something completely unique! I may have even posted a thread a year ago or so show unit a guitar with a similar wood you're looking at. Then I found the vinyl wraps and tried some wood finishes but finally ended with the titanium and after seeing the original F type interior I decided to stick with it, adding some piano black details.
So I can't wait to see how yours turns out! And now that I see your car color, I hate to say but the clear birds eye maple with some dark inlay band could be absolutely out of this world! Look at jaguar.com at some of the upgrades that can be added to the XJ wood interiors.
So I can't wait to see how yours turns out! And now that I see your car color, I hate to say but the clear birds eye maple with some dark inlay band could be absolutely out of this world! Look at jaguar.com at some of the upgrades that can be added to the XJ wood interiors.
Thanks Phil! It was actually seeing all of your customizations that inspired me to go with something unique vs. just having it redone in the burl walnut. For non-wood interiors, yours is one of the best (well, one of the best period). I've never been a fan of carbon fiber, really. Your titanium/piano black has a nice contrast to it. So I'll be sure to keep you and everyone updated with the process.
And, Phil, if you're bored one day take a look at the link below. Saul sent me here to make my choice; it can be overwhelming but there's so many beautiful options.
Exotic Wood Veneer, Vacuum Press Systems, Veneering Tools and Veneering Supplies
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 547
From: North Carolina
Thanks Phil! It was actually seeing all of your customizations that inspired me to go with something unique vs. just having it redone in the burl walnut. For non-wood interiors, yours is one of the best (well, one of the best period). I've never been a fan of carbon fiber, really. Your titanium/piano black has a nice contrast to it. So I'll be sure to keep you and everyone updated with the process.
And, Phil, if you're bored one day take a look at the link below. Saul sent me here to make my choice; it can be overwhelming but there's so many beautiful options.
Exotic Wood Veneer, Vacuum Press Systems, Veneering Tools and Veneering Supplies
And, Phil, if you're bored one day take a look at the link below. Saul sent me here to make my choice; it can be overwhelming but there's so many beautiful options.
Exotic Wood Veneer, Vacuum Press Systems, Veneering Tools and Veneering Supplies
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)