1948 Desoto woodgrain

[Frank Gooz]

I am try to learn about the woodgrain in in my suburban. What the colors were suppose to be. I am coming up blank in my search here looks like i need more training.

Would someone please point me in the general direction.

 

Thanks to anyone who can help.

[chrysler1941]

This book has all the variants.

 

Steering Wheels and Dashboards 1939-1949 Chrysler Corporation by Don Narus

 

https://books.google.com/books/about/Steering_Wheels_and_Dashboards_1939_1949.html?id=XginyU3PkLEC&redir_esc=y&hl=en

 

here is a peek from one of it's pages

[desoto1939]

contact the company called Grainit located in Florida. This company has created a home kit that you can do the graining at home.  They have all of the wood graining templates and all of the supplies. It is a very simple process.

 

I have one of their kits.

 

Write to me with any questions.

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Tom Skinner]

There are You Tube instructions for this. It is easy to do (ubung macht den meister) practice makes perfect.

Get the colors you need - do not mix enamels and oils - start with enamels finish with enamels.

 

Edited May 14, 2021 by Tom Skinner
trying to turn picture

[Tom Skinner]

I do not know why my pictures keep going upside down

Edited May 14, 2021 by Tom Skinner

[Frank Gooz]

I want to thank you all. The book is on order, Even at Grain-it has sent me pictures and is going to work on a kit for me.

[MarcDeSoto]

I woodgrained my 48 DeSoto dash around 30 years ago.  Back then, the woodgrain book said to paint the light base color in lacquer, and use printer inks for the graining.  Those printer inks are difficult and expensive to get, and now people use better products including artist oil paints for the graining.  The DeSoto dash is not all burl grain, only the middle of the dash and the bottom part of the window molding.  The rest is a simple straight grain.  I used a bristle brush to produce the straight grain and a wadded up piece of newspaper for the burl.  

[Plymouthy Adams]

Little off topic but still on woodgrain, was at the wrecking yard yesterday....saw a Jaguar there, opened the door and saw the all too familiar yellowing and cracking woodgrain....looked closer.....thin faux plastic overlay on metal...why did I expect more?  They mimicked the yellow and cracking to a "T"

Edited May 15, 2021 by Plymouthy Adams

[Marcel Backs]

Hydro graphics produces high quality results for woodgraining with many wood grain patterns to chose from. I took this route with absolutely no regrets. M

[chrysler1941]

32 minutes ago, Marcel Backs said:

Hydro graphics produces high quality results for woodgraining with many wood grain patterns to chose from. I took this route with absolutely no regrets. M

If I was restoring a car today I'll go that route. With enough clear coat layers, you won't notice difference

[Marcel Backs]

I think that the factory applied the ink with rollers having the grain pattern on it to transfer this to the dash or trim component being finished. I have heard of this technique for old school application. M

[Ron175]

On 5/13/2021 at 8:26 PM, chrysler1941 said:

This book has all the variants.

 

Steering Wheels and Dashboards 1939-1949 Chrysler Corporation by Don Narus

 

https://books.google.com/books/about/Steering_Wheels_and_Dashboards_1939_1949.html?id=XginyU3PkLEC&redir_esc=y&hl=en

 

here is a peek from one of it's pages

Apologies for going off topic, but I love this kind of ultra-niche, specialised book. It’s the kind of thing I tell relatives to get me for birthdays and Christmas. They think I’m nuts.

[chrysler1941]

1 hour ago, Marcel Backs said:

I think that the factory applied the ink with rollers having the grain pattern on it to transfer this to the dash or trim component being finished. I have heard of this technique for old school application. M

Cadillac didn't woodgrain after the war. They used 3M's Di-Noc water transfer and later lacquered. Di-Noc is still used today but other applications. My friends 48 has it. Lacquer cracked and Di-Noc film peeling off painted dash.

 

https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/cadillac/series-62/1953/770630

 

Pages from 2013-11.pdf

Edited May 16, 2021 by chrysler1941

[DonaldSmith]

Would a Cadillac convertible have a painted dash, but the other models would be woodgrained, as was the Mopar practice?  

[Marcel Backs]

Here is the dash panel for my D14 and co ordinates for hydro graphics co. that did the work.

PS not scratches but reflections on top surface view

Edited May 16, 2021 by Marcel Backs

[chrysler1941]

12 minutes ago, DonaldSmith said:

Would a Cadillac convertible have a painted dash, but the other models would be woodgrained, as was the Mopar practice?  

Didn't know the answer so I had to look it up. This from the 1947 Data Book, published to dealers before launching.

 

47-6267 are the convertibles and they had Tick Grain Oriental Walnut Transfer.

Other models had other transfers, They even had one looking like leather,

[Loren]

A few years ago a friend of mine was in the dash customizing business. We took a tour of a factory in Grand Rapids that did Hydro Graphics for the auto industry. Everything was in a clean room and done by robots. After being dipped the parts were sprayed with clear urethane. They made very nice parts. Now days you can get a kit with the Hydro Graphic film for a DIY project. In all honesty if and when I need wood graining, I'd take my parts to someone who does the work daily. Sure you can get good results doing it yourself BUT like paint and body work I think spending a little money to get professional results will free your time to do the stuff you enjoy doing. 

[47Jim]

I think much depends on how much of a wood grain nazi somebody is, the hydro graphics are the process from a wood working background that looks dead on for mahogany, walnut, etc...then I’ve seen magnificent artistry done by hand that was beautiful but not quite as accurate for the wood it was supposed to represent, point being, beauty is relative, if you want accuracy and the factory look, hydro looks to be it, if your priorities are different then a different process might suit you.

 I plan on doing something taboo with my 47 Dodge 1 ton and wood grain the dash, unfortunately, it’s not removable or I’d definitely go the hydro route in some deep, dark, fine furniture grade mahogany or rosewood, I’ll have to school myself on how to do it in my driveway, haha! Fingers crossed!

  Please post pictures of your progress when you get started