I agree,
I would be very uneasy spending a lot of money on a solid wood dash rather than
plywood. I think I
would want a very long guarantee -- years.
I've built a lot of solid wood furnature and cabnetry. Solid wood tends to warp
and split with
temperature and humidily changes, especially in a piece as thin and wide as a
dashboard. I would
really wonder about the fast and extreme changes in temperatures.
Seems the only saving grace is that the dash is so full of holes that it may
relieve the internal
stresses in a piece of solid wood that thin and that wide.
None-the-less, I would restore an original plywood dash rather spend a lot of
money on solid wood.
As a matter of fact I have a solid oak dash and am looking to restore a plywood
one to replace it.
Solid wood and dashboards don't mix in my opinion.
Anyone want to sell an old plywood dash?
Don Malling
Robert Liam Gannon wrote:
> While the original ones where not very flashy and had very little luster, I
> caution those that are looking into "SOLID WOODEN DASHBOARDS". The reason
> that the original ones where on plywood is so it can take the fluctuations
> in temperatures. Yes, British plywood back in those days was hardly a
> quality product and pouring poly resin over it did not give the quality we
> would love to see in front of us, but they had the right idea. Solid wood
> will eventually split from the natural stresses from temperature and
> moisture changes. It is good to hear about those that are taking on the
> challenge of applying their own veneer on to used dashboards. After what
> ever stain is applied use marine polyurethane to protect your piece of art.
> Applying this in multiple layers, with a light abrasion in between, will
> provide that rich depth that you love to look at. Sure a spray gun
> application will be great, but a very close quality can be achieved with
> lintless cloth.
>
>
>
> Just my 2 cents worth.
>
>
>
> Robert L. Gannon
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~trsix74/wsb/index.html
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