9 replies to this topic

[mergedown]

Removed my wood dashboard and started to remove the old veneer. I bought some new mahogany veneer and plan to glue it down and stain it to match my steering wheel. Anyone know of any good methods to cut the holes in the veneer with a clean edge?

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•  BFFB640B-BC87-4B76-9E4A-F4D1C52706B6.JPG   54.79K   19 downloads
•  IMG_1768.JPG   65.42K   11 downloads

[Lt-SilverDragon]

I'm doing this the now but I made my own dash so I glued the veneer down first then cut the holes but I used a pair of big scissors to cut around the outside of the dash and that seemed to work well enough so I would think a good way to do the holes would be to place the dash upside down on a piece of scrap wood then use a very sharp blade like a brand new stanley knife or craftknife and cut it like that.

I also used a sanding block to take off any bits I missed with the scissors and used a dremel with the wee sanding tool to enlarge the holes for my gauges and both left a clean edge without destroying my veneer.



I'd wait to hear from someone that knows what they're doing before you do anything tho as my way might not be the best. Just worked for me.

[Homersimpson]

I've recently been repairing a veneered dash and found that a scalpel works well, I would lie it on a flat surface and then cut from the back.  Once complete I would then use some fine sand paper or emery paper to finish off. 

[mergedown]

Thinking using something like this?
http://www.rockler.c...CFQMKaQodTCoBAg

[mergedown]

I decided that I would see what it would look like if I just sanded and restained the wood without applying a veneer. I know the finish would be more consistent with veneer, but decided to try this for now to see how it would turn out before trying to glue down veneer. I'll gloss varnish it tomorrow.

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Edited by mergedown, 17 June 2017 - 06:05 PM.

[FlyingScot]

Removed my wood dashboard and started to remove the old veneer. I bought some new mahogany veneer and plan to glue it down and stain it to match my steering wheel. Anyone know of any good methods to cut the holes in the veneer with a clean edge?

Swan Morton scalpel with a series of sharp blades is the best way

FS

[Alice Dooper]

Second the scalpel. Though I'm no big expert.

Last job like that I tried, I veneered over the holes and then cut the worst back with a scalpel and very fine sanded to perfect. I found that the glueing down stage is really important though, even glue spread (I use a sponge mini roller) and loads of even pressure with plenty of cure time.

Something I did find with a lot of veneers, especially walnut, was that a few good coats of sanding sealer really helped afterwards.

[mergedown]

Well, I finished staining and apply a gloss lacquer. It looks really good installed, but I didn't match the shine that the steering wheel has. Looks like I might need to use a glue to get that level of shine. I'm pretty happy with the result and it didn't require the veneer process. I may still go the veneer route in the future, but I'm satisfied with the result for now.

 

https://goo.gl/photo...nrWmhP1o3ymfNu7
https://goo.gl/photo...MZqVVPdoa3wRKE6

[Homersimpson]

To get a really good shine I use 2k lacquer, I put around 5 coats on, let it dry for a few days then sand back with 400 grit on my sander (carefully).  I then apply another 5 coats and if that seems enough I let it dry again for a few more days, sand with 1500 grit on my sander, then a trizac disc and finally a polishing mop.  With enough time and effort it can look like glass.

[lawrence]

I like the dash, it looks nice and retro, Good job