Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 09:27 pm, by: Matthew Bellairs(Matty_b)
ive recently been looking at getting a woodgrain dash kit for my car from an online site ( http://www.importscene.com.au/prod237.htm ), but im worried about how to fit it. has anyone bought one of these specific kits for the dash or any other dash kits? primarily im a bit of a losty when it comes to hands on installations, so are these kits meant to replace the original pieces? or do they simply go on top?
Also i noticed the kit in the picture doesnt seem to include the gear nob kit. does anyone know where i can get a nice wood grain gear knob or even kit for our cars? that has the overdrive button option and what not?
sorry for sounding so lost.
Daniel Lee TryHard Victoria Soarer GT Limited UZZ31 V8
Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 02:16 pm, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
I've only fitted the trim to the door switches- doing "everything" is a bit over-the-top to me (although the handbrake covers are nice alas also expensive) I didn't find any necessity to heat the pieces (at least at the 22C it was here) but it is required to clean the parts thoroughly- Isocol is perfect.
It's also important to get the right piece- I found out during the process (after sticking that the 1996 switch is different to the earlier ones- by a smidgin- enough to throw woodgrain out) and to get the fit exactly right- once it's stuck, it's reaaallly stuck!
Gregg is sorting the switches issue out for me, too. Importscene is good value
Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 04:14 pm, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
The woodgrain is a tad glossy compared to the real wood of the original- I guess it's a resin, and it also has metal flakes in it, but once it's in place it's a pretty good match. Unless using real wood like the original it would be difficult to get a perfect match. The original pieces also have a semi-matt finish, which highlights the grain.
Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 09:13 am, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
The level of gloss will affect the colour/shade, Robert.
As for variations in the wood- they may look similar across a model year or years because it's entirely likely the wood all came off one tree. It's an extremely thin veneer so one tree goes a very long way, and it stands to reason the makers would buy one length of trunk to veneer.
When I was into shooting a few years back I was also into custom gunstocks, and back then blanks were getting quite expensive because of competition from veneerers- usually furniture-makers. A good French Walnut bland would start at $300 and go up to $3000 or more for one with good figure (wood character).
Our Soarer wood is Birdseye Maple, which is used extensively on blackpowder arms (muzzleloaders- muskets). You could probably appreciate that one tree yields a lot more veneer than gunstocks!
Joseph Reno Tinkerer East Sussex '91, 2.5GT-T-L JZZ30-ACPZZ
Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 07:07 pm, by: Joseph Reno(Gamer)
Thanks Robert, The seats are a set of black and graphite leather from a Supra TT. They are a direct fit apart from splicing a few wires for the electric functions.
Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 04:22 pm, by: Joseph Reno(Gamer)
Thanks Tom, Yes they came from a Supra and they just bolt directly in same as the stock Soarer seats. I paid £450 for my set, which is just over $1000 AUD...
My body kit (if that is what you are asking) is done by Evolution AutoCouture
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Chris 
that the 1996 switch is different to the earlier ones- by a smidgin- enough to throw woodgrain out) and to get the fit exactly right- once it's stuck, it's reaaallly stuck! 
