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Okay My son just got the dash blasted and primered. So wanting to do most of this himself any ideas on how to do wood graining?

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I don't know anything about wood-graining but I do know that it's great to see a younger guy tackling this kind of project. I'm sure a lot of folks around here would love to see this project unfold and cheer your son's progress in the project forum (hint, hint!).

Faux painting is a true art. I speak from experience as my Mrs. does this and veneer work. However, you CAN make a decent example on your own. Check out woodgraining.com. Research your grains first though. As each requires a different method. Also it would be good to know the burl of the original. Owen may be an expert there.

My suggestion would be to first practice extensively on a piece of curved sheetmetal that's been primed accordingly.

There are many methods. The simplest and cheapest to do at home is as follows.

Paint the object beige. Get some artists colors or printer's ink. Smear it around with a feather, rag, or graining tool. If it looks good, fine. If not wipe off and try again.

When it looks good let it dry then spray on clear coat. For door window surrounds that get a lot of elbow rubbing give an extra coat.

There is an art to it. You will have to practice to get the hang of it, and develop different grain patterns. But that is the basic idea.

A web search, or visit to the local library should turn up some books on wood graining and faux finishes. How about a fake marble dash board, or possibly jade?

If you will give me an email address-I will send you a step by step method. It is not difficult-it takes time several days-

David

One more option... see if your local library has a copy of this:

Painting & wood graining [videorecording]
Vagedes, Fred.
Publisher: Collector Car Restoration Video, Inc.,
Pub date: c1992.
Pages: 1 videocassette (89 min.) :
Item info: 1 copy available at Grandview.
Dewey Decimal: 629.2872 P166A

This is part of a series of restoration videos that gives a very good visual overview of the woodgraining basics described by Rusty O'Tool.

Try this link to a discussion on this topic from 2008. I included an article I scanned on how to do this from a Classic Auto Restorer Article.

Click on the pictures of the article to get them to a readable size.

David my e-mail address is ajpheating@sbcglobal.net and Thank you

Scott, Thank you I and he appreciate the encouragement. Mike, Rusty, JD and Portland duly noted on the practice, and thanks for the tips.

I am so pleased to see your son digging into this project. Sounds like you have some good tips on the wood graining. How did you fellows come out on the engine / trans. with the previous owner?