RicerSchnitzzle

Key words here being DIY...

Okay my carpeted panels covering my console side had seen better days. When I switched to racing seats things got worse as the wider seats were tearing the panels apart even worse. I looked up replacements, stock and leather. Just a no go for me looking at ROI. Then I saw an auction for Nylon Burlwood film on ebay. A 8' x 18" roll for about $45 shipped. I figured what the hell, worth a try, plus my door insert panels were just as bad off.

Now I am not trying to say this will be on par with Rob or Paul's work or even worth mentioning in the same sentence...but for those on a budget, the results are actually pretty decent. The work took less than 20 minutes total a panel. You will need a friend to help hold up the nylon while you attach adn smooth it out or you'll have a crazy amount of bubbles. A hair dryer helps as well to soften the nylon. I did my first "test" door panel alone and I was about to chuck it across the garage due to all the bubbles. The second person holding the film straight up, perpindicular to the surface is the key to getting it smooth.

Okay,
Step 1. Go to Home Debit and get a 2x4 sheet of Duralenz. About $5.38 a sheet. It's opaque lens for overhead lights. Make sure it's the Duralenz as it's very, very flexible and will not break. It has a slightly bubble rear surface, but it's flat enough for good results. I think the slight pattern adds to the real wood look.

Step 2. Trace old panel onto Duralenz. make sure you do it so the correct (Smoother) side will recieve the nylon.

Step 3. Cut out pattern. I used a rotozip. Just go slow to keep from chipping the lenz. I also placed masking tape on the back side over the trace pattern. that also helps to keep acrylic from chipping. Doesn't have to be perfect as slightly uneven edges will dissappear behind the console. Use the bottom edge of the Duralenz for the bottom of the panel to keep a nice straight edge. Make sure to cut out bottom screw hole and bracket slot.

Step 4. Place on Nylon Burlwood with a budy. Smooth out bubbles as you go. A yellow body filler squeege works great. Or just use your fingers going very slowly. Getting impatient will cause bubbles and mucho frustration.

Step 5. Wrap excess nylon around back of duralenze to secure. Then cover end to end with Duct tape. In extreme heat the nylon may want to stretch and contract, pulling it off the duralenz. the duct tape will keep things straight.

Step 6. Work new panel into groove under console. insert screw and bracket. You're done.

Step 7. When dooing door panels you will need to glue the panel clips to the rear. First test I did, I drilled small holes for the panel clips, however they stuck out too much from the front and bubbled up the nylon on the front. Yuck. You can also use a small bit of velcro on the panel clip head to attach it to the door insert. Holds in place still but comes out much easier. I still have a couple bubbles in the door inserts so they are going to be redone. Plenty of extra Burlwood.

$45 for Burlwood trim, plus $5 for Duralenz is just under $15 a panel. Out of the 8' roll of burlwood there is enough left over after making both console panels and both door inserts, to do most of your console inserts, gauge surrounds etc.. Good stuff and easy to work with.

Here's a couple pics. Sorry for the quality, took with my phone, in the garage, with out a flash.

Final disclaimer: This is for the budget Shark owner, I am in no way stating the quality of this DIY project would replace a set of Champagne Leathers in a GTS... Have fun with it.

Here's the auction for the Burlwood, no affiliation.
Ebay Burlwood Link


Now to fix the warping on top of my door panels...

IcemanG17

Damm that looks SWEET....for $15....even better

Jim bailey - 928 International

Some go to great lengths ....to get wood in their 928....

Bill Ball

That's impressive looking in the photos.

Imo000

Not my cup-a-teeee

pearlpower

Not for my 928 but great work and effort. Some closeups of the edges would be nice.

NickT

Very innovative and once again just goes to show what can be done on a budget. Great work!

RDS928S

Nice job.
Looks good with the rest of the burled wood in the console and door panels.

Good Luck

RyanPerrella

well i guess it matches the rest of the car, there is continuity there

AO

Every time I get in my 928... I get wood.

Ohh sorry... I think I mis-read Jim's post.

RicerSchnitzzle

My wife and I hit our 19th anniversary this year...this is the only way I get wood anymore..




Couple more shots from the drivers side. Tried to leave them bigger.

Edges come out well if you have a steady hand. The nylon wrap is pretty forgiving of small nicks , they are not noticable.eason I used the edge of the Dyralenz for the bottoms of both side panels was to have a perfect straight edge showing. All other areas are out of sight any way. The door inserts are more noticable if you're not steady with the rotozip. If you make the panel just slightly too large it will push into the door skin, again hiding any small imperfections.

It's not for everyone, but I like the look personally. Plus I was too cheap to spring $600 for new carpets. I am re-skining the doors soon in a light tan to match the seats, shift boot, console cover and steering wheel. I think the door inserts will look better then. Not ment as a concours solution to restoration, but a way to put a little high end ghetto bling in the shark..

I really need to get a brown pod cover and steering wheel now.

RyanPerrella

Yeah i think you threw the concours stuff out the window long ago. I would think your car would be much more appreciated in a honda mag, or an audio & Video mag or something like that.

So long as you like it...

PS: Is that a plastic, stick on adhesive Porsche cresh there on the center armrest?

silbershark

Nice wood, but why DIY?
I like the wood. Maybe I should get some in my 928.

Nicole

Is the rest of the wood the kit from Ebay? Is it real veneer, or synthetic?

RicerSchnitzzle

Honda mag? Ouch that hurts. The other wood trim is synthetic Jager stuff, mostly from Nicole. I'm going to redue the center console using this film. Since it's thinner I think it may fit the flow of the console insert contours better. If not I can re-attach the jager stuff. As for why DIY, I have not seen anyone make the side panels in burlwood yet. New carpet was more $$ than I wanted to spend right now. I have seen the burlwood door inserts, however I believe they're about $150 or more a pair.

Yes that's a stick on crest on the armrest. Just put it on, not sure I dig it at this point.

Maybe I should go totally Honda and wrap the nitrous controller to match? ....um, no. Even I have limits..