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[size=medium]We all have lessons learned when restoring our cars. In general, I have had some good luck from vendors and private parties. My experience with getting my interior wood grain redone at RL Bailey Restoration follows.

I have a 1941 Packard 110 that had a nice remaining pattern. I called several folks. And I settled in on him because he also had 1941 Packard. He told me he knew and had the original pattern, butt walnut. His prices were decent. I also had him do re-chroming and window installations on the back window quarters, as well as some rust repair on one of those window frames as well.

The completed work came back to me not close to matching original. When I questioned him about it and suggested a mistake might have been made, I was told "I was being too critical", "the available patterns don't match your car", "It's beautiful", "it looks just like mine", and "just install it".

In addition, there are cloudy areas, poor buffing work, and rough spots.

The brand new chrome was also scratched during the window installation.

The window frames were done without pattern as well.

In addition, the brand new rear quarter window glass I sent sent to Mr. Bailey were re-cut, and poorly I might add. The corner did not get a correct radius redone, and no beveling was performed where it was cut.

RL Bailey Restoration highlights its specialty in classic car Woodgraining and Complete Restorations.

Mistakes happen. The conversations that happen after work is reviewed are what make a business survive and thrive. I didn't get what I specifically requested, was told I would receive, and unfortunately paid for. The work will indeed be re-done.

While I certainly won't be a return customer, you now have better data to make your personal choice as to whether to have work done at RL Bailey Restoration or not.

Rich
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That's awful. It looks as though he did it with a brush of some sort, as opposed to using the original type woodgrain templates.
I highly recommend Woodgrain by Estes. Joe Goss, the owner, learned from the best (the late Bernie Estes).

2001 Charles St
Lafayette, IN 47904-1539

(765) 490-5634

gossp@emailaccount.com

One thing that is nice about this website is the ability to speak, as long as it is polite and truthful. In the case, including photos of what was done, I totally agree the woodgraining is unacceptable, given the sample provided, and the promise of an accurate restoration. And I know 41 woodgraining as well. No name calling or harsh criticism when not warranted. Period.

Grain-it Technology is the best people I've seen for redoing dashes and window trim. I have one of their kits and after about six attempts on doing the dash on my 39, I finally got it acceptable. I've done a number of cars since then and I agree, the window trim appears to be done with a brush. Brushes, pencils and other tools are used in the wood graining, but they are accessories. I've attached a photo of a 34 Chevy dash I did this winter. It has a burl elm finish on the glove box and quarter sawn oak on the upper portion. The burl elm is the same as used on the 39 and 40 120's, but in a darker color.

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We learn by doing, and some of us are lucky enough to learn by others unfortunate mistakes.
Thus I warned about Potmetal Restoration also called
customcoatings.net/index.html

I hope the woodgrain can be redone by a competent business.

The wood graining can be corrected, but unfortunately the cure is to sand all of the bad stuff off and start over. I would suggest contacting Grain-It and getting a quote.This is supposed to be a division of Grain It that does the woodgraining, rather than selling the kits.olddetroitwoodgraining.com is their website.

Grain-it's website iswoodgraining.com

Hope this helps

Packard was very proud of their fake wood. The only better job I've seen than Packard was the fake wood in the Rolls Silver Cloud. Although the Caddy 75 with its genuine fake wood grained wood was pretty awesome.

I haven't seen a redo as good as mint original, but your results are pretty rotten although not unique. Those samples from Grain It Tech and Old Detroit would satisfy me however.

If you are doing it yourself with decals try using Solvaset decal softener. I've used it with fantastic results.

I looked at your mechanic's website showing his wood graining. One of the samples shown was a 41 Packard window trim. It looked very nice, but it also had a wood grain on the backside of a rear view mirror. I've never had a 180 41, so I don't know if the window trim was correct, but I'm pretty sure that the mirror wasn't.

Can I play?

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S'mores? My artistic rendition of "butt Walnut". This was done to a 39 Henny TC/Hearse. Would it be bragging to say I have 100% customer satisfaction since 1973, serving nearly 1000 worldwide including royalty?

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