Door panel question.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 319
Likes: 27
Door panel question.
I want to class up my '74 interior a bit and am looking around for a set of the upper door panel "wood" trim pieces. Are they wood grained vinyl contact "paper" or possibly plastic fake wood inserts?
Thank you—
Thank you—
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
It's actually genuine wood veneer with a paper backing. Teak was commonly used. While it's produced in large rolls you can buy small quantities of such veneer from the likes of Rockler Woodworking.
Believe-it-or-not the wood trim that most call "fake" in cars both older and new is in many cases veneer. Even the wood in Rolls Royce cars (at least those made in the last few decades) is veneer.
If you decide to use wood veneer look for UV resistant lacquers for the top coat. DO NOT use ordinary polyurethane as it has very little UV resistance. Our dear EPA has declared the best lacquers too much of a hazard for "regular" people but since there is no comparable substitute they're now an "industrial" material that is difficult to purchase.
Believe-it-or-not the wood trim that most call "fake" in cars both older and new is in many cases veneer. Even the wood in Rolls Royce cars (at least those made in the last few decades) is veneer.
If you decide to use wood veneer look for UV resistant lacquers for the top coat. DO NOT use ordinary polyurethane as it has very little UV resistance. Our dear EPA has declared the best lacquers too much of a hazard for "regular" people but since there is no comparable substitute they're now an "industrial" material that is difficult to purchase.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 319
Likes: 27
Thanks for the info ! I must have found the only wood grained insert in the world for sale with wrinkling shrinking contact paper rather than real wood:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-OEM...53.m1438.l2649
I have a couple of rolls of burl veneer, thought that I would use it on the door accent pieces and buy a new $20 shifter console wood kit just to use it as a template for cutting new veneer. The cheap shifter console kits have a metal backing that would just be great as a template, then offer it back up for sale to someone who wants to go stock.
At least that's the plan for now, still have to find a pair of door inserts with decent aluminum surrounds.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-OEM...53.m1438.l2649
I have a couple of rolls of burl veneer, thought that I would use it on the door accent pieces and buy a new $20 shifter console wood kit just to use it as a template for cutting new veneer. The cheap shifter console kits have a metal backing that would just be great as a template, then offer it back up for sale to someone who wants to go stock.
At least that's the plan for now, still have to find a pair of door inserts with decent aluminum surrounds.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Thanks for the info ! I must have found the only wood grained insert in the world for sale with wrinkling shrinking contact paper rather than real wood:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-OEM...53.m1438.l2649
I have a couple of rolls of burl veneer, thought that I would use it on the door accent pieces and buy a new $20 shifter console wood kit just to use it as a template for cutting new veneer. The cheap shifter console kits have a metal backing that would just be great as a template, then offer it back up for sale to someone who wants to go stock.
At least that's the plan for now, still have to find a pair of door inserts with decent aluminum surrounds.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-OEM...53.m1438.l2649
I have a couple of rolls of burl veneer, thought that I would use it on the door accent pieces and buy a new $20 shifter console wood kit just to use it as a template for cutting new veneer. The cheap shifter console kits have a metal backing that would just be great as a template, then offer it back up for sale to someone who wants to go stock.
At least that's the plan for now, still have to find a pair of door inserts with decent aluminum surrounds.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 319
Likes: 27
Just re-read the ad copy for that insert, it says," The panel has a poorly done faux (vinyl printed) woodgrain insert." That explains the shrinkage and wrinkles. I was HOPING that it wasn't the factory veneer, lucky for my plans, it isn't !
Last edited by Team Evil; Oct 9, 2017 at 07:08 PM.
