Real Timber Dash Strip - Disco2 & 1

**Rok_Dr** · 1st November 2012, 09:10 PM

Hi All

Well after the unsatisfactory experience refinishing the faux timber dash strip I recently bought, I reckoned I could make a real timber finishing strip, that would look miles better than plastic wood. To cut a long story short the following pics are the before and after shots, followed by the "how to do it" details.

Before

After

Anyway after a coffee and a good sit down, I had a dig around the garage wood stack and found a piece of 40mmx 12mm, dressed pine that was exactly the same cross section as the dash plastic strip. I wasn’t too fussed with pine, not classy enough

, so a quick trip to Bunnings and I got a length of dressed Jarrah with the same measurements for $7.50.

Plastic Finisher strip on Jarrah timber .

I cut a length to match and then ran the router along the top and bottom edges. I used a ¼” beading bit for the bottom edge and a 3/8” for the top. You could use a larger radius bit for the top again or a spoke shave to give a bit more of a curve and match the plastic trim profile, but I was happy with 3/8” (and I couldn’t be bothered going to Bunnings yet again

).

Next I sanded everything back to a smooth finish over a few days painted it with 4 coats of clear polyurethane varnish. I used a spray pack of Cabothane clear satin interior/exterior varnish, but any good quality varnish can be used. Resist the urge to rush here and ensure that each coat is properly dry before applying successive coats. A very light sanding with very fine wet and dry paper or steel wool between coats doesn’t hurt either.

After applying the first coat of varnish, it was time to remove the existing plastic strip. It is mounted on the dash by 4 plastic pins and held on by 10mm bolt trim clips which screw on from the inside of the glove box. I used a 10mm socket held in my hand to undo them. One proved a bit difficult but I was able to get a bit more purchase by putting a short extension bar on the socket. After that I gently pulled the strip from the dash. It will take a wee bit of jiggling as the plastic pins are a firm fit in the dash.

Removing the trim clips

Trim clip

To mount the new wood strip I used double sided tape. As you will see from the pic below, the dash behind the plastic strip was a bit dirty and I gave it a good clean with a clean rag and isopropyl alcohol. Don’t short cut here as a clean surface is essential to ensure a good grip with the tape.

Trim strip removed.

I reckon the final result is pretty classy and easy way of lifting the interior of any Disco 1 or 2. Using Jarrah gives a uniquely Ozzie flavour and is not too dissimilar to the poplar timber used in my deceased Range Rover.

Cheers

Steve

It'sNotWorthComplaining! · 1st November 2012, 09:32 PM

now all you have to do is make matching ones for the front doors, they also have strips in the up market models.

For the more hand rubbed "french polished look" try danish oil, coat let soak and rub with fine steel wool. repeat a couple times. It gives a mellow glow like the finish on fine walnut shot gun stocks

Any plans on making the window switch panel and gettting rid of the rubber mat to make a timber finished one?

**Rok_Dr** · 1st November 2012, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by It'sNotWorthComplaining!

now all you have to do is make matching ones for the front doors, they also have strips in the up market models.

For the more hand rubbed "french polished look" try danish oil, coat let soak and rub with fine steel wool. repeat a couple times. It gives a mellow glow like the finish on fine walnut shot gun stocks

Any plans on making the window switch panel and gettting rid of the rubber mat to make a timber finished one?

Yep I've been looking at the doors and the fitting instructions from the rave cd. Cutting and finishing the timber is easy but I just need to work out a robust mounting method. So far the best I can come up with recessing the heads of some bolts into the back of the timber and glueing them in with araldite. Not sure that will hold in the long term though.

I did seriously consider using Danish teak oil but decided to go the satin finish in the end.

Switch panel etc I'll leave for the moment. While it looked nice I found the timber centre console on my range rover impractical and in the end put some matting over it to protect the finish from the phones, keys, remotes etc which habitually lived there. The rubber mat in the discovery is so much more practical in my opinion. Could do a small surround panel for the window switch part though without much trouble.

Steve

**accident94** · 5th November 2012, 11:30 AM

That looks really nice. like... REEEEEALY nice.... a bit of a natural timber won't look amiss in my disco.
Thanks for the inspiration!

**Rok_Dr** · 24th May 2013, 07:49 PM

I had a small length of Jarrah left over from making the glove box dash strip. Looking at the stereo a while back and the crack in the plastic dash panel underneath, I realised it was exactly the right height to fit below the stereo and if I planed the back to reduce the depth it would slot in nicely. End result doesn't look too bad at all.

Next project is a timber surround for the power window switches. I have finally got a piece of Jarrah wide enough to have the grain run along the console, however with work commitments it will take a few months to eventuate. Stay tuned.

Cheers

Steve

**d2dave** · 27th May 2013, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by It'sNotWorthComplaining!

now all you have to do is make matching ones for the front doors, they also have strips in the up market models.

I have an 03 HSE and there is no timber in my doors. I thought HSE was as upmarket as you can go. Even if you made something I can't see where you would fit it.

**Disco Muppet** · 27th May 2013, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

I have an 03 HSE and there is no timber in my doors. I thought HSE was as upmarket as you can go. Even if you made something I can't see where you would fit it.

Have a squiz at this, this is OffTrack's, which came with a fake wood kit like mine did.
They're not OEM, and I've seen varying levels of wood trim in all sorts of D2s.
My current thought is that the stealers just chuck on what they can, thus the different amounts of it.

Steve, looks the goods mate, in two minds about what to do with mine now that I've torn it all out

Might try for a darker wood, yours looks good, matches the seat colours

**Rok_Dr** · 28th May 2013, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by Disco Muppet

Have a squiz at this, this is OffTrack's, which came with a fake wood kit like mine did.
They're not OEM, and I've seen varying levels of wood trim in all sorts of D2s.
My current thought is that the stealers just chuck on what they can, thus the different amounts of it.

Steve, looks the goods mate, in two minds about what to do with mine now that I've torn it all out

Might try for a darker wood, yours looks good, matches the seat colours

Actually Muppet those door trim strips in your pic are a very close match dimension wise to the genuine accessory ones, which were fitted to the ES/HSE? models. According to the fitting sheet on Rave (from memory) they had pins on the back which need holes drilling in the door trim to mount.

Next time I see a disco fitted with them I'll measure them up, and have a think on how to do a robust mounting method.

Cheers

Steve

**d2dave** · 28th May 2013, 07:47 AM

I have the original sales brochure for 03/04 and it only says that Burr walnut is available for facia and centre console.

**njz** · 28th May 2013, 08:29 AM

Looks great!

I'm pretty sure the pre D2a ES models had the door wood trim strips.

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