Tiger dash

kbecker

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CAT Member
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Going to be doing a dash soon but not sure if I should try to re-use the original verneer or buy new. Dash has not arrived yet so I don't know
if all the verneer is there. I had my original dash pieced together
some years back using the original verneer and I think it turned out nice,
This time I want to do it myself and see what happens, this dash is way darker. Here's a picture of both. My original dash has somewhat of a redish tint because of my camera but close. The new dashes look really sweet but sometimes original is best. Will try to get a picture of both dashes together and post pic.
Any thoughts? By the way Thanks Paul dash should be here Monday.
Kevin

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I'm redoing mine now. Will post pics when I get the final buff done.

I have a cool method for adding the words and have lots of extra if you need them. This is dash #2 refinish for me. I didn't use walnut because it so chocolate brown and dark. I wanted lighter color to match my Nardi wheel. I used Carpathian Elm Burl and it looks great.
 
Dash

I'm redoing mine now. Will post pics when I get the final buff done.

I have a cool method for adding the words and have lots of extra if you need them. This is dash #2 refinish for me. I didn't use walnut because it so chocolate brown and dark. I wanted lighter color to match my Nardi wheel. I used Carpathian Elm Burl and it looks great.

I'd be interested in your leftovers. My dash I just got is more chocolate brown I wonder why my original wasn't. My dash has been out of car
for some time now and I have some of the metal tabs when did they stop using the metal tabs. Kevin
 
Dash refinish or replace?

I'd be interested in your leftovers. My dash I just got is more chocolate brown I wonder why my original wasn't. My dash has been out of car
for some time now and I have some of the metal tabs when did they stop using the metal tabs. Kevin

After receiving a new dash (maybe the same chocolate source as yours) I decided also that the reddish color was better in my car. So I sent the original out to be refinished, and it came out great except I will redo the lettering. Hey Pitt40, whats your secret lettering.

Unless I find a second Tiger, I will be re-selling the new dash, which I must admit is beautiful also. I was told that it would get more reddish in time, It is the top dash in the comparison pics and is in the 3rd pic.
 
Here is my installed dash. I use Helmsman because it has UV protectant. But it has a yellow color to it, so the letters have that yellow look. I'm fine with it, but I guess I could do like 3-4 coats of Helmsman and then put on the letters and do 2 coats of clear polyurethane and not have the yellow. Maybe next time.
 
Most have

Some tung oil in the varnish. Spend a little more and stay away from the low VOC stuff they sell at Home Depot. West Marine might have some mail order and I always liked the fancy imported stuff varnish and beer too. Oh by the way Pitt the bezel on the dash light comes off and can be rotated to show a the non sun bleached side but if you are really set a red sharpie is the lazy man fix on the red dash light
 
Here is my installed dash. I use Helmsman because it has UV protectant. But it has a yellow color to it, so the letters have that yellow look. I'm fine with it, but I guess I could do like 3-4 coats of Helmsman and then put on the letters and do 2 coats of clear polyurethane and not have the yellow. Maybe next time.

Where do you get the letters from please
 
I had a sign printing place match my original dash font and print clear vinyl decals in white. Once you clear over them, there is no seem to be noticed. You just need to get enough coats over them to wet sand and buff.

They have to print a minimum size piece and do setup and it costs like $35. So I have extras and I sent some to others on here. I still have a couple sets left. If you need a set, send me your address via PM.
 
I'm not a wood working expert. I went to Rockler (a specialty wood working chain) and that is what they recommended. It's not pure white, but I can live with it because the dash looks great overall. That's part of being an innovator, right? You come up with an idea and then it makes for others to expound and refine. I think I already solved the issue with the method I mentioned above. The Nardi wheel uses a similar finish that can be seen over the metal that is pressed between the wood. I wanted my dash to be close to my Nardi wheel in color, so the amber color of the Helmsman helped achieve that. I didn't use walnut either. All of the walnut was so dark and So I bought Carpathian Elm Veneer that was pretty light tan in color. It has great grain.

Which dash light is red? The ignition dash light? I never knew it was supposed to be. I thought it was supposed to be amber. LOL

Some tung oil in the varnish. Spend a little more and stay away from the low VOC stuff they sell at Home Depot. West Marine might have some mail order and I always liked the fancy imported stuff varnish and beer too. Oh by the way Pitt the bezel on the dash light comes off and can be rotated to show a the non sun bleached side but if you are really set a red sharpie is the lazy man fix on the red dash light
 
Red

Is the center most whiteish one on your dash. Wiggle it out of dash and with small flat driver pry off the little chrome surround carefully. Then remove the little plastic dealie bob and spin it around one side will be near new looking and color other side with red sharpie. You can do both sides . Will look NOS from driver's seat. Can do blue n green too if you buy 3 pack of sharpie s :)
 
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