Better alternative for woodgrain instrument bezel?

[davepl]

My instrument panel had been painted blue - does anyone know if that would have been original in 1970? I figured they'd be black, but maybe they painted them in the Sierra Grande/Super Cheyenne.

More important, though, is I'm wondering if I decide to go woodgrain route if there's a better option than the reproductions I've seen. As you can see in the photo, the repro woodgrain stickers aren't perfect (you can see some blue peeking through). The "woodgrain bezel" repros I've seen appear to be no better, just this sticker on a chrome one.

If you're doing a concourse restoration and can't find an NOS unit, are there any other alternatives? Like does "Just Dashes" have a proper way to reapply a more original applique, that sort of thing?

Thanks!
Dave

[too much stuff]

On your truck (being a GMC) the blue dash would be correct. Chevy didn't color coordinate.

[Livrat]

Dave,
Eric is correct on the GMC's having color coordinated dashes..

On your question about the reproduction wood grain stickers, everyone I have seen and or purchased, none of them fit. some do a bit better than others but all in all.. not worth the effort.
I have not tried "Just Dashes" to see if they have a solution.

[Dingfodgy]

I've seen some pretty amazing results from the "Hydrographic" process. Here's a link to an outfit not too far from you out near Aberdeen. Might give them a holler and see if they can do a selective "dip" for ya.
http://www.northwesthydroprint.com/Wood-patterns.html

Also, you're not to far from Snohomish are you? If so, Mike Lavalle's shop (Killer Paint) is there......he's the God of Real Fire, so I'm sure he could lay down a super-sweet woodgrain motif on your bezel & glove box.

[71blksuper4x4]

One I made for 72IronMike.


Compared to original:

[Gmichael]

You could always look at water transfer prining. Thats what they use on (among other things) airplanes to achieve a wood grain look on plastic for obvious weight issues. Google water printing or hydro graphics. Its pretty neat are easy enough to do yourself if you want. There are companies that make kits- you just gotta buy the film....
Posted via Mobile Device

[BLAZERMAN]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

One I made for 72IronMike.


Compared to original:

You did a Great job Trevor...the woodgrain is a perfect match. looks like you may have a new side bussines?

[special-K]

Just remember,if it's a concours '70 GMC Sierra Grande restoration woodgrain dash bezel isn't even in the equation. The question is,"Who can paint a re-plated or reproduction dash bezel properly?"

[davepl]

Originally Posted by special-K

Just remember,if it's a concours '70 GMC Sierra Grande restoration woodgrain dash bezel isn't even in the equation. The question is,"Who can paint a re-plated or reproduction dash bezel properly?"

Indeed, I meant concours-quality, not concours-correct. I will likely stay with the painted, but as long as it's period-correct, I tend to drift a little, combining options. My '69 2+2 has a blend of Laurentian, 2+2, Grand Parisienne (not Grand Prix) and Bonneville... I built what I wished GM would have offered but not what they did, and only the NCRS-type folks can tell.

Since the dash is something you see ALL THE TIME, I want it perfect, even if the rest of the truck isn't.

[davepl]

Very nice job on that instrument cluster! Any chance you'd share the process you went through, if you haven't already?

Here's a pic of the one in my Pontiac. It's not perfect, but it's about the quality I'm shooting for, and it looks like you've been down that road before!

As an example of deviation from stock, these are US-only gauges in a Canadian model, and the "Pontiac" laser-cut aluminum thing is just a black plastic block-off plate in the 4-speed cars, but it's fugly from the factory. Easily undone, though.

Thanks,
Dave

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by Livrat

Dave,
Eric is correct on the GMC's having color coordinated dashes.

They weren't all that way were they?

[davepl]

May Dad's 1968 GMC 1500 was green but had a black dash, so it may have been a trim level option, limited to the Sierra or Sierra Grande or other. It'd be interesting if someone knew specifically when it got back vs. body color vs. woodgrain year by year.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by davepl

Very nice job on that instrument cluster! Any chance you'd share the process you went through, if you haven't already?

Here's a pic of the one in my Pontiac. It's not perfect, but it's about the quality I'm shooting for, and it looks like you've been down that road before!

As an example of deviation from stock, these are US-only gauges in a Canadian model, and the "Pontiac" laser-cut aluminum thing is just a black plastic block-off plate in the 4-speed cars, but it's fugly from the factory. Easily undone, though.

Thanks,
Dave

Yeah,I get you. I like to do the same thing. That's my kind of "custom". I always called it hybrid. Take the best of what the factory offered and put it all together. It looks "as if" the factory "could have" done it and maybe what they "should have" done.

GMC matched the glove box door and instrument panel to the interior trim color on all levels (for sure 69-72). In '67,like Chevys,all base models (Deluxe) had either silver grey interiors or fawn (paint and trim),so that's the color of the dash pieces. I can't remember what '68s did. There may have been exceptions,but that's how it was. I believe maybe in Canada there may have been some black instrument clusters like Chevys. Sierra and Sierra Grande were only trim levels in '72. From 69-71 they were an option package offered on the top of the line Super Custom,so the dashes were all the same.

[rkn463]

Although it would never look stock I've wondered about making an overlay using Formica like they laminate on counter tops. It could be glued on using contact cement. I think it is less than 1/16th thick and is available in dang near any pattern imaginable. The holes and edges would have to be cut with router on a jig but I think it has possibilites.

-Richard

[special-K]

Is that one Trevor did done on a reproduction bezel? I never noticed,but it appears the rim around the gauge holes is thicker.
I thought about using a laminate,then having it grain painted. I have a guy's card who replicates automotive woodgrains with paint. I gave him a door pane insert for a sample,but haven't seen him at any shows since. I was too busy to look him up. I hope he's still around. That was my idea of a "better than stock" mild custom. I also have considered real veneer.

Here's what I have for my '72 GMC: