14 replies to this topic

[pete l]

Hi all.
The wooden dash in my mpi mini is water damaged. What can I do about I ? Seeing as I don't have the money for a new one.

Thanks

Pete

[rally1380]

Bung up a photo as that will give us a better idea of the damage.

 

As a worse case....strip the whole thing out and remove the dials etc, sand down and re lacquer (Clear coat from a rattle can will do).

 

But if not that bad, you might be able to do it in the car.....but you will have to mask off quite a lot to avoid wrecking the interior.  

Edited by rally1380, 10 March 2016 - 12:56 PM.

[pete l]

It is out of the car. Here's a picture of it in the var

 IMG_3857.jpg   18.15K   59 downloads

[pete l]

Not a great pic. Will put a better one up next week. Not home until then

[ClassicBRG]

In the topic about the restore of my Mini, you can find the way I restored my dash.

And also a pic of the result.

 

If you have questions let me know.

 

http://www.theminifo...portspack-1997/

[rally1380]

It is out of the car. Here's a picture of it in the var

IMG_3857.jpg

 

If out of the car it is easy.  Get some paint/varnish stripper on it (in the uk we have a product called nitromors) that will help remove all of the lacquer.   Then sand the whole dash down using as fine a grade of sandpaper you can get away with - do not use anything rougher than 120....ideally use 240 to start then go a bit smoother (say 400). Once fully sanded and you are happy, either take it to a car spray shop and get them to clear coat it, or get some yourself and have a go.  If you mess it up, just remove it and start again....simple. 

 

If it is veneer...be careful not to sand through it as it will be thin.

[pete l]

Is it veneer ? It is wood effect.
Is it really that easy to do ? Just strip and re laquer ?

[rally1380]

Without seeing better photos I cannot tell if it is veneer or not, whether the lacquer is peeling, or if it is indeed wood 'effect'.

If wood effect then it is probably past repairing like I described... Could always paint it?

Lacquer that has peeled from water damage can be repaired but if the surface underneath has got badly damaged then it might not be salvageable.

Could always vinyl wrap it or sticker bomb it...like the 'cool' kids do?

[Dusky]

You don't want to use a paint stripper on veneer

[ClassicBRG]

If it is a genuine MPI dashboard, it is veneer.

On mine I carefully remove the lacquer with a sharp knife and a chisel.

[ChopperHarris]

Don't use chemical stripper, can bleed into the grain and bugger up any subsequent finish

[pete l]

It is a genuine mpi dash.
Thanks to all the hints and tips..keep them coming if there are more

Pete.

[mk1leg]

You need to use a pro liquid stripper like this http://www.holden.co...m&pCode=099.044

and once old lacquer is removed use ooo grade steel wool and some meths to clean dash let it dry properly then use button polish to enrich wood and then apply 3 coats of a 2pk varnish

[mk1leg]

Don't use chemical stripper, can bleed into the grain and bugger up any subsequent finish

no it won't use meths to clean out the stripper.......this is what I do for a living

[skoughi]

My one was in a terrible state, veneer was cracked and lifting etc. I wasn't going to splash the cash and buy a new one though, no way. I flicked off all the veneer that was wanting to come off, gave it all a good sanding with coarse paper, a few skims of filler to smooth out any sharp edges then went to my local vinyl sign makers and got a very helpful fellow to look at various images of walnut on google images until we found one I liked, printed off enough vinyl to cover the dash and stuck it on. Looks ok, everyone that's looked at it thinks it's quite good and will do until I have enough spare cash to buy a new one!