That is neat to know about the plastic.
I thought it was all mottled plastic.
I made a few solid sets a few weeks ago.
Maybe Evan has some new info on the colors.
I sent him this link
Jdee

Yes the photo was about the center part, outside part was dark walnut.
Sorry.
Jdee

What ever you do don't try and match real wood to what the manufacturers called it. Its just marketing, yeah they did that back then LOL
They chopped the tops in some ads also....

Give me a shout Jdee@rwebsite.com

Oh and do a test panel. Woodgraining looks kind of bad if not real bad before its cleared. Its very muddy looking and kills the base color with a haze.
The test panel will help you see your final finish just in case you want to tweak your parts before clearing.
Jdee

The color change is what we are looking at. That is not metal its a silver base coat. Old lacquer can turn yellow, green and just about any other color, Did the driver smoke? Were the base-color/ tinted Primer that week in production different was the car parked outside a chemical factory?
Part of our video is how to select colors and patterns.
Do test panels and if you don't like the look tweak your base color and or ink or even select another pattern? We get our colors from old original dashes that are sent in for restoration, was yours different? And if anything we always are always happy to help with a project. We have many restoration shops that are always willing to help getting colors are patterns correct. I can make patterns from original parts. And colors can always be worked with.
Jdee

We have a hands on at Hershey to help folks learn the process.
Colors can be hard to get just right.
Not sure if I can post this photo but this can throw folks off. Lacquer can change base coats and ink colors bad over the years. Jdee

http://www.woodgraining.com/photos/137Ply.jpg

I got my UV bulbs and Resin from Dymax to make the lenses
on the gauge rings
Add a little pearl also and dab and zap away and you get one heck of a coating
I ordered some Clear 202 from Smoothon a few days ago.
If I can get the look its what I'll use, Its the super tough stuff. Its just kind of dangerous to work with. It has got me in the past ouch...
Jdee

Thanks Dave, I am trying a modified polyester with a laminated backing right now. I hope to find a better Urethane with a gelling agent though for better strength.

I was working on a Mother Of Pearl Plastic coating to fix old plastics like steering wheels and such. I have one I really like but don't have the time to work on it much now.
Here is a photo of a sample of this resin coating.
The Coating out lasted the plastic substrate top left corner , Its been kicking around our parking lot for a few years Put into the freezer for a few weeks and so on

This is a video of when I first coated it... It has a great 3D depth. Its a medical grade UV instant cured Urethane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-4NwUpLOzM
Jdee

I think Jerry has those at
http://yesterdaysradio.com/
I will share the color mix with him once I get it where I like it.
Thanks Jdee

Thanks I'm working today on some tests.

Looks like I have to rebuild the molds for the 4th time but I'm getting there. Waiting for some more chemicals to get here to change some of the properties of the Plastics.
Once I get the color we will mix you some up Jerry
Here is a cell phone pic from today..
Jdee