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Sofia74
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2015
Posts: 565
Location: WV
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 Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 3:43 pm Post subject: Real Wood Dash Face |
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Rebuilding a 1974 KG coupe. A bit early but thinking about the dash face. We like wood grain and are wondering if anyone has done a real wood veneer dash. We've seen of course the wood grain dash in plastic but we'd like to choose the wood. I am worried that I wouldn't be able to work the veneer over the complex curves of the KG dash.
Anyone done this?
Have some wood working skills.
Thanks,
Matt |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2506
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1678
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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Real wood dashes sound like a good idea in theory, like it's going to seem luxurious and elegant. But then every time I see a vintage Triumph TR, an MG TD, or a Lotus Elan, all I can think of is how agricultural and unattractive a wood dash looks in real life.
Body color painted metal is hands down the winner for the best vintage dash look. If you can't swing that, I'd stick with the stock black plastic veneer that was on 74 dashes. It really doesn't look too bad IMO.
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Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD
Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue |
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rbsurfguy
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2008
Posts: 1757
Location: Fairfax, Northern Virginia Formerly Huntington Beach, SoCal
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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I personally hate the repro plastic "wood grain" replacement cover, and not really wanting to keep my dash painted, so I am looking at the 3m DI-NOC Vinyl wrap product. https://www.metrorestyling.com/Wood-Grain-Vinyl-Wrap-Film-s/1228.htm
There are also videos on youtube showing this being placed on dash's and other interior parts. I think it looks good, and if you screw up you can take it off and try something else. I know it's not for everyone, that's cool.
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold
See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight= |
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2506
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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| djkeev wrote: |
| I hate wood dash, even in vintage Mercedes Benz's |
Don't know how you can say that. Mercedes had some of the coolest interiors ever back in the day...like in this '72 280SE 3.5. No plastic 'woodgrain' here either!
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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rbsurfguy
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2008
Posts: 1757
Location: Fairfax, Northern Virginia Formerly Huntington Beach, SoCal
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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Classic! Love the look in that old MB Convertible.
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold
See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight= |
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sputnick60
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 22, 2007
Posts: 3916
Location: In Molinya Orbit
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 3:24 am Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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Ah yes, the 280SE Convertible. Never were a lot of them around.
I worked for Mercedes during the 1970's and well into the 80's. A very famous singer (of roller skates and keys fame) had one of those, it was always a beautiful car when she picked it up and left the facility after a service and Jim had completely detailed it 
Anyway........
I saw more wood problems on vehicles during those years and the replacement wood was a royal PITA to order and install.
I came to dislike wood on cars. During that time I was helping my cousin restore an old car whose body was wood (most old cars were wooden bodies) and had exposed naurally finished wood as side trim....... you think interior wood has issues? Try exterior wood!
Personal taste, I just see a lot of aggravation in such a task unless you redesign the dash to be flat instead of curved as shown in the photo above.
Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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NOVA Airhead
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2005
Posts: 5221
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 6:55 am Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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I personally like real wood dashes including the one on my '95 E320 vert. Go with what you like.
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Sofia74
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2015
Posts: 565
Location: WV
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| Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 1:43 pm Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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Hey Jeff,
I checked out the 3m vinyl wrap. Might order a sample to take a closer look. Curious how real it looks but the pictures look good.
Thanks,
Matt |
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rbsurfguy
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2008
Posts: 1757
Location: Fairfax, Northern Virginia Formerly Huntington Beach, SoCal
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| Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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Hey Matt,
Yeah I did the same, I ordered a few different colors, taped them to the dash, stepped back, pretty much decided, asked my wife her opinion, yeah I know, but she actually chose two of the colors I was looking at!
I ordered a roll last week of the Birds Eye Maple and it came today. Unfortunately, they sent the Light Birds Eye! I called them and they are going to send a new roll. Now my install is delayed.
Been waiting for it so I can start putting my gauges in the dash and continue wiring........
The only downside of this is that it is only 48" wide, and I believe the dash around the curves to the end is about 52", so need to measure many times to center, and then section in the end pieces. I still think it will look better than the plastic fake wood cover.
Good luck,
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold
See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight= |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1678
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 3:07 pm Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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This is my old 74. Black textured paint on the metal. Looks similar to the black plastic veneer that came stock on 74's, but felt a lot nicer. I don't think that 72-74 ever had the fake wood veneer from the factory. I think that was only 67-71. Although you can buy it aftermarket.
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD
Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue
Last edited by Era Vulgaris on Fri Apr 19, 2019 3:36 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1678
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 3:34 pm Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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| c21darrel wrote: |
| nice steering wheel! |
Thanks man! Although I sigh every time I look at it because I wish I'd kept it. OG EMPI flat 4. Going rate in 2014 when I sold the car was about $400 for one, and I figured I'd grab another at some point. Now they're 3x that, so in all reality it's probably out of the question for me to get another one.
The PO had also made that cool horn button out of an old nose badge.
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD
Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
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rbsurfguy
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2008
Posts: 1757
Location: Fairfax, Northern Virginia Formerly Huntington Beach, SoCal
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| Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 4:07 pm Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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That dash does look good. You're right, every 72-74 I saw had that black plastic and not the wood look. I remember when my Uncle bought a brand new last year, 74, Ghia convertible, bright red with black top, and it had the black dash cover. I was hooked on that car and loved cruising around the So Cal beaches with him always with the top down!
I was 11 at the time and when I finally turned 16, he still had it and I would drive it now and again, although he let get a little beat up by then, but it was still cool. Then my cousin got a hold of it and just eventually banged it all up. I was sad to see that ride go, but here I am today neck deep in putting mine together again.
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold
See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight= |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1678
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 4:39 pm Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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| c21darrel wrote: |
| Era Vulgaris wrote: |
| c21darrel wrote: |
| nice steering wheel! |
Thanks man! Although I sigh every time I look at it because I wish I'd kept it. OG EMPI NOTflat 4. Going rate in 2014 when I sold the car was about $400 for one, and I figured I'd grab another at some point. Now they're 3x that, so in all reality it's probably out of the question for me to get another one.
The PO had also made that cool horn button out of an old nose badge. |
FIFY |
Oh Geez! 
EMPI GT
Flat 4 makes the repro. I spend too much time looking at Ghia parts it all turns into one big mush!
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD
Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue |
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KGCoupe
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 3580
Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
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| Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2019 8:26 am Post subject: Re: Real Wood Dash Face |
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| Sofia74 wrote: |
Hey Jeff,
I checked out the 3m vinyl wrap. Might order a sample to take a closer look. Curious how real it looks but the pictures look good.
Thanks,
Matt |
Well honestly, have you ever really paid attention to just how "real" the actual wood dash pieces with 30 coats of clear laquer look on those high end German luxury cars?
They've all looked pretty damn fake to me. 
... at least until they develop the inevitable cracks in the laquer.
I'm all for using real wood where/when possible/practical, however I think the 3M vinyl wrap is such a good opton that it makes justifying the use of real wood a difficult proposition for most of us wood-working-challenged individuals.
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