Author Topic: Wood Trim re-finish?  (Read 6516 times)

Offline diggerdan11

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Wood Trim re-finish?
« on: August 16, 2017, 11:59:17 AM »
Has anyone had any experience re-finishing the wood trim in a square? I have searched but have not found much info

I have a 77 in Silverado trim and the wood trim on the instrument panel  and door panels are really faded. The trim on the dash is still in great shape and has a nice semi-gloss sheen to it.

I was thinking about wet sanding and clear coating the pieces, but I am really scared of ruining them and I know it's almost impossible to find replacements.

I'm pretty sure it's real wood right? So do they have a urethane coating on them? Or what?

Anyone have any advice?

Here are some pictures

Here is the good trim on the dash:



Here is the faded trim


1977 K20 Silverado Camper Special
1969 Chevy C20 (currently in a million pieces)
1969 Chevelle Malibu
2010 BMW 335xi
2007 Yukon Denali

Offline ehjorten

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Re: Wood Trim re-finish?
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2017, 09:05:37 AM »
Nothing is real wood!

The instrument chart is plastic with a simulated wood appearance.  It is just a thin piece that is glued to the stock, black instrument chart.
The Passenger's side dash insert is just stamped aluminum with a simulated wood paint.
The door inserts are stamped aluminum with a simulated wood paint.

I think you should get aftermarket door panels and I will reluctantly take that Silverado "Cowboy" trim off of your hands!  ;D

I have nearly the exact same interior as you!  My '77 Silverado K20 is Burgundy with a red interior.  My instrument chart has long since lost the chrome trim around it and the previous owner broke some of the mounting studs for the cowboy trim and resecured them with visible screws through the face of the trim.  Nobody reproduces that trim, but you can get new pieces of the pull strap covers.
-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Offline diggerdan11

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Re: Wood Trim re-finish?
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2017, 11:08:36 PM »
As much as I'm Not a huge fan of the "cowboy" trim, I would like to restore everything as much as stock as possible. I swore I've seen that trim for sale somewhere
1977 K20 Silverado Camper Special
1969 Chevy C20 (currently in a million pieces)
1969 Chevelle Malibu
2010 BMW 335xi
2007 Yukon Denali

Offline Dr_Snooz

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Re: Wood Trim re-finish?
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2017, 11:09:54 PM »
A good vinyl dressing would help. I've had really good luck with Zymol's stuff. Their "Vinyl" prodcut always gave great results for me.
1989 Chevy Suburban V-2500, 5.7L, TH400

1990 Chevy C-3500 Ext. Cab, 7.4L, 3L80

2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT 4WD, 4.8L, 4L60

Offline AZ4X4SQBDY

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Re: Wood Trim re-finish?
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2017, 09:40:40 PM »
I might try taking a couple pieces to a automotive graphics shop, one of those places that wraps vehicles for advertising and see if they can run you off something similar and cover it. It's not going to be cheap but may give you the look your looking for. The film they use is very workable and durable.

I recently had one print me off some stickers for automatic locking 4x4 hubs. I needed 2 but ended up with a hundred because of the set up charge. I think all of them were $70-80 total
1987 GMC Sierra Classic 4x4 short, fleet, 1985 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 short, step side, '87 Chevy Silverado short fleet, '91 Dodge Ramcharger LE 4x4,
2005 Porsche Boxster S,1982 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

Offline diggerdan11

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Re: Wood Trim re-finish?
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2017, 08:09:02 PM »
A good vinyl dressing would help. I've had really good luck with Zymol's stuff. Their "Vinyl" prodcut always gave great results for me.

So I used a vinyl dressing on them today and they definitely look better but still not like I would like them.

1977 K20 Silverado Camper Special
1969 Chevy C20 (currently in a million pieces)
1969 Chevelle Malibu
2010 BMW 335xi
2007 Yukon Denali

Offline Jason S

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Re: Wood Trim re-finish?
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2017, 01:19:21 PM »
Along the same lines as the vehicle wrap idea...

About 5 years ago, I was working on restoring the woodgrain on some 73-76 style door panels and spoke with a local taxidermist who offered hydrographic water transfer printing. The basic process here: http://www.liquidprintone.com/process.php

The film can be had in woodgrain (straight and burlwood), as well as other designs. The taxidermist had covered all sorts of things from hog skulls to batting helmets.

He sent me to the following website find a woodgrain film: http://www.liquidprintone.com/gallery/straightwood.php

The metal panel would have to be removed from the door panel and all of the old film removed. Then the panel would be prepped for the new film. I don't recall what he priced me, but it was reasonable enough for me to begin the prep work on my panels.

I had found a film pretty close in grain and color and was in the process of stripping the panels when my job relocated me. So that project got put on an extended hold... 
1973 GMC K2500, Super Custom, Camper Special, 350, TH350, NP203, 4.10's
1974 Chevrolet K10, Custom Deluxe, 350, SM465, NP203, 3.73's

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Offline roundhouse

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Wood Trim re-finish?
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2017, 11:17:30 PM »
The HydroDip is pretty cool and very durable if done right

Friend of mine did his Glock


I picked up some cowboy wood grain panels at a JY but they look different from these
They wrap around the top of the panel
« Last Edit: January 06, 2018, 10:20:30 PM by roundhouse »

Offline ChevTru

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Re: Wood Trim re-finish?
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2018, 10:21:40 PM »
A good vinyl dressing is a nice suggestion

Offline Dr_Snooz

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Re: Wood Trim re-finish?
« Reply #9 on: January 07, 2018, 10:43:20 PM »
I'm half tempted to remake mine out of real wood...
1989 Chevy Suburban V-2500, 5.7L, TH400

1990 Chevy C-3500 Ext. Cab, 7.4L, 3L80

2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT 4WD, 4.8L, 4L60