VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Upholstery - Interiors & Glass Woodgraining care

A few years back when I got my 48 Fleetmaster on the road again (after standing for some 40 + years) I cleaned all the original woodgraining and polished it with some wax.
As the time goes and due to the high humidity its loosing its glance and simple cleaning doesn't help anymore.



Is there a simple way to bring the woograining back to * life *and maintain it during the long winders??

Thank you in advance
Jianis

Do not use anything but a clear paste wax on it. Anything else will ruin the decal.

Gene: Could he spray using clear gloss enamel or lacquer? Would have to remove all wax, etc before doing that and not sure what to use without harming the grain finish. I would think if you don't saturate a cloth with a wax/silicone remover and wipe off right away might work. Suggest trying on a not so visible area first.

The "clear" would only be a last resort and if the wood grain is in bad condition. I tried all these things and learned what not to do. The wrong product can actually wipe off the decal. The clear lasts just do long and it soaks in and dosen't last.

Gene and driver

Thank you for your advice.
At the moment the idea is to keep the woodgrain from deteriorating.
I might ask a profetional painter for a clear lack in the future but for now I will folow Genes advice and use some wax.

Jianis

Gene: if I understand you correctly the original graining on the garnish mldgs & dash was a decal not the method restorers are using now (Base coat color then the darker grain using a applicator with the desired pattern) ??

The dash was a form of a decal...the garnish mouldings were some kind of paint that is not too durable at this time of its life.
On the 1941 that I had in 1951 I used a mild cleaner/wax on the dash. Most of the "wood grain" came off in the rag.
Tried the same on my '39 years later- way to one end of the dash on a verticle surface. Same results.

A friend had a '41 with a mint dash. Sprayed it with clear. Took all of the depth out of the wood grain and looked fake. This was about 10 years ago.

Dick, if you have the '46-'48 Body Manual, service and construction, check out page 190. Instrument panel transfer information.

Do not have THAT book.

Dick

What I find there is how to touch-up minor scratches or apply new transfers.
Nothing about care and maintence on a 70 year old decal.

Russel

Good that you mentioned the Fisher body manual its ages since I last opened it!! I will give it a go to repair some damage in a spare molding to see if I manage doing it.

Gene

In my car the woodgraining seems to be holding strong except a couple of small places with rust and some normal wear at the glove box door and the 2 frond window moldings.

Jianis