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Riley Elf Whats That Switch?


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#16 Pigeonto

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Posted 02 January 2021 - 11:31 PM

I think that may well be the button for the infinite improbability drive.

Well I suppose that's an improvement on 'Ejector Seat ' !  :lol:



#17 3VILC

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Posted 02 January 2021 - 11:36 PM

I'll wait until i get around to removing that panel from mine, and see if the wires give any clue where they are supposed to go. The wood on mine all needs replacing so its all got to come out, still on the list of problems to puzzle out, do i try get the original pieces planed or sand them and redo the clearcoat, or use them as templates for a nice piece of dressed ply or a NZ native timber etc.



#18 Quinlan minor

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Posted 02 January 2021 - 11:46 PM

I'll wait until i get around to removing that panel from mine, and see if the wires give any clue where they are supposed to go. The wood on mine all needs replacing so its all got to come out, still on the list of problems to puzzle out, do i try get the original pieces planed or sand them and redo the clearcoat, or use them as templates for a nice piece of dressed ply or a NZ native timber etc.

Have you got a picture of yours to put up?

You could probably find someone who could redo the veneer on yours and then it would look like the photo you used to show the switch (except for the mismatched left panel on that one).

I replaced my dash, today.

Old, then new.

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#19 3VILC

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Posted 03 January 2021 - 06:26 AM

Pic of my sad looking dash attached. I think i may be able to get away with sanding off the crap layer and seeing what it looks like and varnish or clearcoat or something similar might bring up an acceptable finish..certainly better than it is now :) It is a reasonably budget build so a completely new reproduction dash is out of the question, a router and some 'other' new timber may be an option though.

 

Attached File  20210103_192056.jpg   61.83K   6 downloads



#20 MiniMadRacer

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Posted 03 January 2021 - 09:03 AM

I would try to retain and re sand, stain, veneer the original dash, they are very rare now



#21 3VILC

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Posted 03 January 2021 - 09:22 AM

That was my thoughts too. Can't really tell want it will come up like until I can dismantle it and try it. Its a very long 'to do' list haha

#22 Shooter63

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Posted 03 January 2021 - 02:35 PM

I would try to retain and re sand, stain, veneer the original dash, they are very rare now


Totally agree with that,if you use the old wet brown paper and iron trick to raise the grain and sand back a few times you will be surprised how well it will come up, the finish will be better than when it was new

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#23 3VILC

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Posted 03 January 2021 - 10:43 PM

You got me thinking of ideas now. Bit of research of ways to make exposed grain timber 1 of which is of course a wire wheel. Thinking this would just rip the thin veneer layer off, I decided I'd give it a crack with what we call a speedstrip wheel im sure the UK would have a similar product. Actually does a bloody good job removing all the rubbish and old clearcoat and leaving a nice grain grain effect without cutting deep into the wood! Bit of stain i think they'll come up nice. Thanks for the idea
Attached File  20210104_113315.jpg   33.54K   2 downloads

#24 eric67

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Posted 04 January 2021 - 11:04 AM

I found on mine that the original varnish was very thick and could be carefully scraped off with a Stanley blade or sharp chisel before a light sanding with 1000 grade. The danger with sanding off the varnish or anything more aggressive is that the veneer is wafer thin and easily damaged. I found that oil based polyurethane varnish gave the best effect but needs a few coats to fill the grain and get a smooth finish with more light sanding with 1000 grade wet and dry in between.

 

Pictures show how the panel looked before and after treatment and the completed effect back in the car. Not perfect by any means but I'm trying to keep it looking authentic.

 

And good luck with yours,  Mark

 

80QrGJc.jpg

 

9QBkmO6.jpg



#25 MiniMadRacer

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Posted 04 January 2021 - 11:50 AM

Looks good to me



#26 3VILC

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Posted 04 January 2021 - 07:19 PM

Unfortunately the left hand end was the best piece. The veneer particularly on the center was very split beyond repair. I've glued down lifting bits where I could but still lost a fair bit of it. Still, a stain or varnish and it won't be too bad, just 'unique' Attached File  20210105_081519.jpg   53.62K   2 downloads

#27 DUF2

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Posted 10 January 2021 - 04:24 PM

Getting back to the switch, in my ‘65 Elf, I have removed the instrument lights swithpch and have used to hole for a flick switch for the electric screen wash I have fitted.

Attached File  E1935C23-79D0-4716-8FEE-E5A22E23A71F.jpeg   75.72K   1 downloads

 



#28 surfblue

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Posted 10 January 2021 - 06:16 PM

Going high tech with electric screenwashers? Sacrilege!
I have the switch in my 1963 mk1 mini. The lights are never so bright that you'd need to dim them or turn them off 😂




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