Hi all, does anyone have a good UK supplier to re veneer my XK 140FHC dashboard and interior wood trim.
It is complete but needs refurb or re veneer.
Was trying to contact Nick Reeves in solihull but not able to get through and company house says he has dissolved company so any good alternative considered.
Thanks all Steve.
Are you sure? Have you tried his email - nfreeves@btinternet.com ?
He did my woodwork last year and I have contacted him quite recently. He’s only just completed a new workshop, so it’s a surprise if he’s closed. His work is truly exceptional.
Roger,
He contacted me this morning and said no longer doing veneer and refurb work but can make me some replacement dash panels.
Steve.
Oh dear, that’s a great loss! I think he’s still selling bits on ebay, too. If I hear of anyone else in the UK I’ll let you know.
Thanks, any contact appreciated.
Try London Carriage Craft Ltd in Watford. A pal tells me they did a great job on his TVR. Here’s their website http://www.london-carriage-craft.com/
I’ve no connection with this company. This is simply a suggestion to explore…
Canary,
Thanks for input, I will give them a call as Watford is not far from me in Bedford.
Steve.
Hi Steve,
I’ve had all my interior woodwork done by Nick Martin based in Spalding. He did a great job so highly recommended.
Regards
Dave
Dave,
Thanks for input, will give him a call and see if he can fit me in, car body just of to paint now so its time to get interior bit ready,
Steve.
Has anyone here restored their veneer themselves?
I made my own map drawer. Early 120 FHC is different from later cars, sits in a metal tray, no brass slides.
I got the walnut veneer from Owl Lumber in Lombard IL.
The technique is you soak the sheet in water to get it soft and pliable, no wrinkles. Then use Elmer’s water based glue to lay it down. After it dries, trim off and sand. Then polyurethane. Then wet sand and polish.
Rob,
That looks amazing! I bought walnut veneer from a “local” wood shop but it didn’t match. I then found that I needed Russian walnut veneer so I ordered that from an outlet in Ohio. The grain and color are much better. Per a Jaguar veneer restoration posting on the web, I’ve made up a mixture of water, alcohol and glycerin and wetted the veneer then placed clean paper and weighted plywood on top. It has come out flat, wrinkle free and quite playable. I have the wood pieces ready to veneer but am still not sure which glue to use. I purchased some hide glue but now see that Tight Bond has a veneer glue. I’m going to research that a bit.
I have a vacuum bag system all made up for helping to keep the veneer flat.
I’m hoping to get to this next week.
Phil,
That looks spot on and I have contacted Nick Martin to sort my woodwork out.
Thanks Steve.
Yes, many times over the years, getting better as I go.
I have repaired original veneer by letting in small pieces of old veneer, which works incredibly well if done properly, I saw they did this in a Rolls Royce factory Youtube, even with new veneer sheets
There are quite a few “learnings” along the way
first thing is hold the sheet up to light and see if there are any holes, as glue bleed through is an issue.
It must be at the “correct” moisture level when glued down as a bookmatch, otherwise it will contract apart at the bookmatch joint while drying.
color match grain filler can be used
acrylic paint can be used to disguise faults or joints,
corners and bevels are a whole new elevation, but can be done
experiment on scrap, not your favorite vehicles most visible pieces
My best upward curve came about when I got parts from a wreck that the veneer was trashed, and restored or re-veneered some of them, the results were pleasing enough I was able to swap them in, but finding color matched veneer to original can be difficult
Not the best pic, but these pieces were fire wood prior to restoration, now in my vehicle
