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Hello Fellows. I just bought a 1950 Packard standard 8 touring sedan which is in good running shape. The first non-mechanical project I would like to tackle is restoring the dash. I would like to redo the chrome and get new woodgraining applied. Does anyone know where I can get woodgraining done where I don't have to give the wood grainer my first born child or my soul. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Some of the prices I've seen online are ridiculous.

Doug

Am in the same situation with a 47 and agree about prices. Have not found much of anything that isn't well into 4 figures for a complete car. The retired folks that used to do them more for something to do seem to have retired further. Have almost decided to try one of the kits from Grain-It and see how a piece or 2 turns out.

Thanks for the topic. My little '37 115c was a $1200 estimate- I have not asked about the 46 Limo. Hopefully, the kits will get a good report.....

Doug and 46Limo,

Sorry to go but I just wanted to thank you guys for adding your cars to the Owner Registry.
And 46Limo, see it's your first post so to Packardinfo.

Now to resume normal transmission - started today to reassemble the dash from my '41. Dash was woodgrained by Harvey, a guy in our club here in Oz. Cost? Materials only and a '40 Willys hood ornament!

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There are several woodgraining companies in the U.S.
Woodgrain Specialists, Littlestown, PA 717-359-4597
Woodgraining by Bill Gratkowski, Titusville, PA 814-827-1782
Woodgrain by Estes, Lafayette, IN 765-490-5634

We have had two dashboards done by Estes, and consider their work top notch, perhaps the best.

Thanks Guys, I'll try these guys. It's a pleasure to be here among Packard folks.

Doug

If any of them have prices that don't require the first born, would appreciate hearing if you take the plunge.

I used to subscribe to Classic Auto Restorer years ago, and have a very detailed article on woodgraining the dashboards & windshield frames yourself. If you are hands on, I always thought it would be fun to try. It was a pretty good article if I remember, you must start out painting a base color, than some form of swirling or blot-twist technique for burlwood look. It looked really good when done. I would try doing it on an unwanted piece of sheetmetal until I got it perfected before jumping into it though.

I'll try to dig it out of the archives in the shop tomorrow and see if I can photocopy the article for you.

Here is the Woodgrain article. Classic Auto Restorer 03/98
The article is done with a Packard dashboard.

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Hey thanks a lot. I just printed it out and will read it carefully. I'm a bit of an artistic type so I may give it a try. I'm buying a spare dash from a fellow who is parting out a 1949 23rd series sedan. Hey thanks again.

Doug