Woodgraining antique car dashes with GrainIt woodgraining kit
Some of the tools of the trade:
Rubber roller applies the grain to the part after it is picked up from the plate
Rubber square and round
Cleaner spray
Sand paper and magnets
Spatula used to spread the ink on the end of the plate
Various paint brushes to blend in grain
The sand paper and magnets are key to getting a good result. The rubber roller can only grain about 12 inches x 4 inches or so. After the grain is applied the sandpaper held in place by the magnets is used to cover the finished wood grain so the roller doesn't put 2X the ink on when applying the second print. On an irregular dash I had to cut out many different shapes of sandpaper
Rubber roller applies the grain to the part after it is picked up from the plate
Rubber square and round
Cleaner spray
Sand paper and magnets
Spatula used to spread the ink on the end of the plate
Various paint brushes to blend in grain
The sand paper and magnets are key to getting a good result. The rubber roller can only grain about 12 inches x 4 inches or so. After the grain is applied the sandpaper held in place by the magnets is used to cover the finished wood grain so the roller doesn't put 2X the ink on when applying the second print. On an irregular dash I had to cut out many different shapes of sandpaper
Here are the graining plates that have the wood grain pattern on them. The smaller one is straight grain and the lower one is curly maple. The larger one is easier to use but costly. The smaller one can be used with the 6 inch in diameter roller I have. The ink scraper is used to spread the ink over the plate.
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Graining ink, walnut and maple and graining toner, walnut and maple. I used two different base coat colors from GrainIt, light brown walnut and maple. The spray cans at $30 each are pricey but the alternative is also pricey which is a Dupont basecoat costing $150/quart plus reducer. I tried both and decided that 5 spray cans might paint even more than a quart of Dupont basecoat. There is also a can of lock down coat. That is sprayed on the grained dash after the ink has dried but before the toner is applied. There is also a can of cleaner for getting the ink off the graining plate when you are finished.
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The final step for wood graining is spraying on the clear coat.
Some smaller pieces I grained for the 49 Ford dash. They first are painted with base coat. This is the 4th dash I've wood grained after I figured out a few of the tricks to get a better job. Best trick is using various shapes of sandpaper to protect the previous ink print when applying subsequent prints. And if you don't like the first print of grain wipe it off and try again. This is maple basecoat and curly maple wood grain.
49 Ford dash
This is a 41 Ford Super Deluxe dash. The base coat is light walnut and a straight grain wood grain. I used the color for the Deluxe as I didn't like the very dark almost black for the Super Deluxe.
Here is a dash for a 51 Ford woodie. I got it cheap since the radio opening had been modified for a modern radio. I filled in the radio opening. The top is walnut straight grain and the bottom is maple curly grain. I installed a Dakota speedo and clock in my 49 Ford woodie hot rod. This dash with the Ford speedo and clock will go on the wall.
This is my 49 Ford hot rod. This dash is a 1950 dash. 49 and 50 dashes are almost the same but the 50 has a better glove box. If you look close you will notice I customized the dash slightly by taking off the 50 trim pieces near each end of the dash. Note the Dakota Digital dash and clock and AC unit. I grained the dash, the lift gate, and the window trim in curly maple.
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1950 Woodie Dash
There is a big change in the color after the woodgrain ink is applied. This had me fooled. I didn't like the color of the basecoat. I thought it was took dark. But I like it after the ink is applied. It really looks like wood!
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Pieces that hold the glass on the upper tailgate and the rear window divider along with ashtray, rear ashtrays, glove box door, front windshield trim, and the plastic Vintage Air vent and control pieces.
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Liftgate
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Dab some ink on the plate and spread it out with the doctor blade. Pick up the ink with the soft roller and apply to the piece to be woodgrained. The craft paper is for wiping off excess ink on the roller between prints.
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Base coat applied
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