Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

I am helping a friend who is restoring a 1973 GMC Sierra Grande truck. We are trying to figure out how to restore a 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel. Does anyone make a woodgrain "overlay" that can be fitted? We know working with the 1973 / 1974 model years can really complicate things. I will include a couple pictures of the dash we are working on. You should be able to see the cracking and peeling on the woodgrain. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

The Kenworth, Freightliner, and Peterbilt trucks had woodgrain in the 70's.
I've seen replacement vinyl overlay material for the 359 Petes.

The bright chrome is vacuum deposition plating.
The woodgrain is an overlay on the plastic dash panel.
Here's a repop.
https://www.cheyennepickup.com/produ...973-1977-bezel
Another option is to keep your eyes open on evilbay.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

Tagged

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

Hope this does not count as hijacking since I am on the same mission, I have a 73 woodgrain too.

Has anyone bought the Cheyanne repop, it looks really good, I think it matches the woodgrain on my door panels.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

Thanks. That is just what I was envisioning. It shows correct for 73-77 and I am sure the overlay would fit the bezel. The woodgrain in the picture looks quite dark. I know that can be a problem with the different woodgrain patterns on the 73-77 trucks.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

No problem. I would also like to know if anyone has already tried these.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

The color differences are likely the amount of UV exposure.

The faux woodgrain on the outside of pickups, station wagons, and mini vans is hard to match for the same reason.

Not to mention matching paint colors for the same reason.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

I bought one a year ago from Cheyenne parts but have not installed it. It is really close to the 73-74 correct walnut grain and color on my 16k mile original 74 C10 Cheyenne Super dash. It should work absolutely great for a match on 73-74 woodgrain.
I have an nos 75-76 black bezel I was going to install this woodgrain on and use in my truck just to have the nice chrome rings around gauges. I also have to install the 75-76 lighted wiper switch and light switch to compensate the difference in bezel.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

I understand, and agree about the UV exposure. Our concern is the differences in the woodgrain itself on the trucks. I have a couple pairs of early deluxe door panels. When seen side by side, you can see how different the patterns are.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

The blue panel is 73-74 woodgrain and the brown panel is the 75-76 Sierra Grande-Silverado Tigerwood-burlwood style woodgrain. Also note the trim around the brown panel wood is top end 75-76 Silverado- Sierra Grande trim only! The Sierra and Cheyenne used the same black textured trim surround all 4 years. I have a left and right NOS trim panels in both of their original October1974 dated boxes that are for the sierra -cheyenne but still using the dark walnut inlay but not tigerwood woodgrain. Works.perfect for my 1973 Sierra Grande restoration.
Should also ad my nos panels GM boxes have the correct part # as 1975-76 Sierra-Cheyenne panels.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

Someone over in one of the FB Groups restored his door panels. He used vinyl, it looked great. Not sure if I can find the post, but I’ll look.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

3M DI-NOC marine teak....

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

Not to jack the thread but does anybody know how to reproduce the map pockets?

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

That came out nice. I think that's a good call - getting a UV resistant material that is as close as reasonably possible to the original grain. With the amount of UV deterioration of an original, who knows what they exactly looked like from the factory.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

Wow. That looks great, there is no question that I will try that on this old set of door panels I have.

Wonder if you could use it on a dash bezel... heat gun, some patience?

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

That does look great. I think the reproduction woodgrain dash applique is a very light flexible plastic backing the vinyl is attached to. Maybe the original applique can be stripped of the vinyl and new material attached?

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

Wow. Those look great!

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

Should be able to strip the old stuff with a moderate application of heat.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

I think I will try that vinyl on the later bezel, I have a spare. The one that has the flat aluminum on it, might be easier.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

I am sometimes amazed at the detailed knowledge on here. I knew a lot of that, but not all the detail. PS early door panels are grey. (LOL)

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

info chart from 1973 Chevrolet Truck Data Book

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

Yeah my old age and looking at it on a mobile phone is a challenge. lol
I am recently gathering and trying to change my restoration project back to the original 73 GMC Sierra Grande instead of the Cheyenne Super route I had saved up 20 years ago.

One other 1973-74 interesting fact as far as the interior colors. In the first edition 1973 GM dealer master ordering book says the vinyl bucket seat option were NOT available in code 672 charcoal but only with bench seat. Bucket seats were only available in slate blue, slate green, pearl and saddle.

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

It’s not grey, technically it’s Charcoal

Re: Restore 1973 Woodgrain dash bezel
 

Well, I am literally old school. My crayon box had 8 colors.

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:lol: