Wood dash

[chopthebass]

I have been toying with the idea of facing the dash in burl walnut for some time now.

Recently I saw a really nice wood dash in this forum, but my main concern is how well it stands up to heat from the sun. I am in Calgary, Canada and we get ridiculous temperature and humidity changes and I wonder if its a good idea or not. And would it be a bad idea to face the aluminum with veneer or should the aluminum be replaced with a plywood piece? I don't fancy doing all that work if after one season it starts cracking due to differential expansion.

Are there any 'fake' alternatives to walnut burl? Like modern cars with fake wood dashes.

Cheers
Ian

[68GT500MAN]

Personally I do not like the wood dashes in a roadster. That being said I have seen some really nice ones and was even asked by a fellow builder to do his. I just used a walnut burl veneer and contact cement to attach it to the aluminum. I then coated it with three coats of polyurethane (sanding between coats). The dash has been exposed to the summer heat of Central California (often above 100) for four years with no problems with lifting or cracking. Humidity here is typically below 20%.
Doug

[chopthebass]

Thanks Doug.

I have seen some really bad dashes, but I do have some ideas combining vinyl (or leather) and veneer. Good to know your method was successful.
Can the dash be removed once body is on?

Ian

[FritoBandito]

Just don't do one that looks like you should mount a dead fish on it. :D

Mario

[chopthebass]

Just don't do one that looks like you should mount a dead fish on it. :D

Mario

Ha ha! And I have seen some that look exactly like that!

[chopthebass]

Can the dash be removed once body is on?

[68GT500MAN]

YES the dash can be removed once the body is on.
Doug

[DaleG]

An alternative would be Hydrographics, commonly called Water Transfer. Virtually any pattern you can think of: wood, carbon fiber, diamond plate, snakeskin, etal. Here's some pics of my burl "transfer" dash, and a link about the process. http://www.watertransferprinting.com/index.html

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[chopthebass]

Thanks Dale. Nice Nice Nice!
Did you apply directly to the aluminum?

[chopthebass]

Dale, Can you explain how the burl is applied? I looked at the website and its not clear. In FAQs it said you need 14 hrs training to learn the process?

Thanks

[skullandbones]

An alternative would be Hydrographics, commonly called Water Transfer. Virtually any pattern you can think of: wood, carbon fiber, diamond plate, snakeskin, etal. Here's some pics of my burl "transfer" dash, and a link about the process. http://www.watertransferprinting.com/index.html

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This is the best of both worlds. You could change the graphics later or work on one gauge that is crapping out on you without taking the whole thing out. I don't care how clever you are when it comes to taking the dash out, it's a PITA. I've done it on mine and some friends cars. If you do the small panels, the veneer would also be easier. IMO.

Note: Also, the small steel button cap allen bolts add a nice touch to the project.

Thanks,

WEK.

[2bking]

Tennessee Tim made a very nice wood dash. His build site is: http://www.timsroadster.com

[chopthebass]

Tennessee Tim made a very nice wood dash. His build site is: http://www.timsroadster.com

That is a very nice dash. And he has all the right tools for doing veneer. I wonder how hard it would be without a vacuum bag.

[DaleG]

Dale, Can you explain how the burl is applied? I looked at the website and its not clear. In FAQs it said you need 14 hrs training to learn the process?

Thanks

Here are some places in Calgary that can do it for you: https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=toolbar-instant&hl=en&ion=1&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADRA_enUS473AW476#hl=en&q=water+transfer+in+Calgary&qscrl=1

Basically, you take the aluminum pieces (or virtually ANY component...do you want your wheels to look like carbon fiber?) to one of them, pick out your pattern/color and they do it; I'm pretty sure among the sources in the link you can find a video of the process.

My dash is Casey Design's modular dash. I removed the modules, glued padding and vinyl across the dash, screwed-in the burl-treated modules, then trimmed the vinyl/padding from the backside of the dash. I'm making my own under-dash matching modular panel for start-button, seat heater/footbox vent switches, and USB charger.

Cheers, Dale

[DaleG]

WEK, I've been cringing about having to take my dash out on the finished car and never even thought about the flexibility the modules provide in accessing stuff behind the dash. Thanks for bringing that up; I'm a tad happier now.

[chopthebass]

Here are some places in Calgary that can do it for you: https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=toolbar-instant&hl=en&ion=1&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADRA_enUS473AW476#hl=en&q=water+transfer+in+Calgary&qscrl=1


Dale,
That link took me to Google home page. So the dash needs to be treated? Its not a film you glue on yourself?

[DaleG]

Dale,
That link took me to Google home page. So the dash needs to be treated? Its not a film you glue on yourself?

Just Google Water Transfer in Calgary"; should give you lots of sites to peruse, choose from.

This is not something you can do yourself unless, of course, you invest in the equipment and training. It is not something you glue on. I'd suggest you visit one of the shops in your area that does this and discuss what you want.

Its really not expensive (IMO); they did my 3 pieces for <$100 US.

Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKuXyeAGzEU

[JJ'snakepit]

You could do the real thing on aluminum. Just use a nice thickness to make your aluminum solid with out a lot of flex. Glue the wood right and it doesn't lift. When I was staining my wood the wood got very wet and didn't lift. When finished staining and dried well I sealed it in Epoxy A/B two parts. I believe it turned out very well. As far as how it will last we will have to see. I am very happy with the finished product. Check out the link or click on a picture... My dash is held on by 6 screws and the console is by 4 screws and all are hidden...
http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/301862-everybody-loves-dash-thread.html
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff334/JOHNSNAKEPIT/IMG_0514.jpg (http://s537.photobucket.com/user/JOHNSNAKEPIT/media/IMG_0514.jpg.html)
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff334/JOHNSNAKEPIT/IMG_0519.jpg (http://s537.photobucket.com/user/JOHNSNAKEPIT/media/IMG_0519.jpg.html)
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff334/JOHNSNAKEPIT/IMG_0518.jpg (http://s537.photobucket.com/user/JOHNSNAKEPIT/media/IMG_0518.jpg.html)

[DaleG]

JJ's is the nicest dash I've seen, on many levels.

[chopthebass]

JJ,
Yours is the dash I initially referred to. It really is lovely.
How did you do the chrome trim edges?