SPITFIRED

Spare set of dash panels acquired via ebay for swap to burr walnut finish.

Original dash.

Heat and scraper to remove lacquer finish.

Stripped surface.

Panels sanded and extra hole for voltmeter added - positioned to clear support frame underneath.

Water and 10% Glycerin mixed to spray veneer sheets prior to clamping flat.

Damp veneer sheet on brown wrapping paper on mdf board.

Brown paper on top of veneer sheet under second board. Weights added to gradually flatten veneer as it dries. MDF / Chipboard was recommended to me as supports to help draw moisture from veneer. To try and avoid cracking / splitting the veneer I did not over clamp sheets at start.

Second day, brown paper changed and sheets re-sprayed and firmly re-clamped as veneer sheets were now only slightly crinkled.

Brown paper changed each day for 4 days (or when fully dry and ready to bond to dash panels).

Once the veneer was flat and dry it was matched for pattern and then cut to within 10mm of the panel shape. A thin layer of Evo-stik weatherproof resin W wood adhesive was applied to both veneer and panels.

Panels pressed onto veneers and moved around slightly to even glue layer. Panels then placed on brown paper (veneer down) on a mdf board. Spacer wood blocks and mdf board placed ontop and the whole assembly bolted together to 'press' the veneer firmly onto the panels. Spacers used to miss the studs still attached to two of the panels - holes in the top board would have worked as well.

Panels removed from press ready for trimming with a sharp knife.

Panels all roughed out ready for finishing - so far so good!

Panels lightly sanded with 600 grit paper, cleaned and apertures stained with Ronseal Walnut woodstain.

High gloss clear 'Japlac' applied to all surfaces, lightly sanded when dry then cleaned and re-coated. Sanding flat in a different direction each coat.

Panels after four coats

Cross sanded with 1200 grit, thoroughly cleaned and 8th coat of lacquer applied - nearly ready for polishing!

Cross sanded with 2000 grit, cleaned with tack cloth and lacquer applied - repeated and 10th coat applied. Ready for final polish.

Surface flattened with light 2000 grit sand, surface cleaned and T cut several times prior to final polish.

Started to re-fit new dash and gauges - added a volt meter and replaced the water temp gauge with a dual oil pressure and water temp gauge.

Dash all back in, oil pressure gauge needs line bleeding, otherwise all looking and working well.