Wood Panels below the windows

Good question Rich, I’ll be interested in the answer myself-Thanks John

I just remembered that the best people to fix this type of item is a wooden musical instrument restorer , violins, cello, ect. I saw a demonstration by one of them and they said they often do veneer repair on pre war car trim. Good luck, Ed.

Add fine furniture restorers to the list. Most top shelf furniture of this period was veneered with mahogany or birds eye maple over either oak, poplar, maple, or some other stable wood. My ’29 front floorboard is plywood, which I believe is original. The plywood is glued in layers, each layer’s grain is tangential to the next to ensure stability. As Ed and David have pointed out, these cars are similar to musical instruments of the day. I made the mistake (because it took two years and a full garage space, not because it isn’t beautiful) of stripping and restoring/re-veneering as necessary a 1913 player piano that had two coats of white french provincial paint on it. Until the latest movers got a hold of it, it looked great. The veneering process is pretty easy if you take some time and have a LOT of patience. Having said that, doing a curved piece of wood like a window surround adds a whole ‘nother level of complexity!

Hi Richard,

Use birds eye maple in the raised center portions and Circassian walnut on the outer lower portions. Both are available from veneer suppliers. I’d recommend a gloss finish but, not to the level of a urethane gloss.

Happy Motoring,

Rick

Please do not use a high gloss polyurethane finish on the wood work. It makes it look like fake plastic woodgrain, like modern cars.. You might as well repair the wood work with woodgrain Formica.

The finish used in the 30’s was similar to a spray lacquer furniture finish that is available today, use the flat or semi gloss finish.. if it’s too flat, just wax it a bit, the flattening compound in the top coat will get glossier with rubbing and waxing.

Too much gloss is not only not authentic, it’s unattractive.

Veneer work is tedious but fairly simple to do, if you have loose veneer, a hypodermic needle with modern ‘white glue’ [woodworking glue, NOT urethane glue]. If a very small hole is carefully drilled under the veneer, the glue can be injected underneath the loose pieces.. I’ve done a lot of veneer repair on antique clocks and furniture, it’s just time consuming.

Greg L