FAQs – Frequently asked questions

 

Classic car dashboard restoration projects by Simon Lorkin.

Welcome to my FAQs page where I answer some of the most common questions I’m asked about the methods I use and how I organise projects for clients from Europe and around the world. If after reading you have other questions please contact me with your query.

 

 

 

 

// Vous êtes francophone? – Découvrez la page ‘Foire aux questions’ en français en cliquant ici //

 

 

Do you supply replacement dashboards?

I only offer a restoration service. You supply me with the dashboard that you have, whether it is wood or metal dismantled and sent to my workshop in Normandy, France. All accessories, instruments, switches and leather etc must be removed before you send the items to me.

I restore the items and return them to you via tracked parcel (or you’re welcome to collect them from my workshop) for you to remount in your classic car.

 

 

Do you work on modern cars ?

I only work on classic cars. As a general rule I only work on cars older than I am. That means I only work on cars made before 1970.

 

 

FAQs - Frequently asked questions - Wooden and metal classic car dashboard restoration - Classic Dashboards France

 

What types of dashboard do you restore?

I only restore wooden dashboards and interior trim or metal dashboards and trim on which I paint by hand a burr walnut effect or the unique Facel Vega effect.

*Please note that I do not work on any other type such as leather, vinyl, plastic or glass.

 

 

Are the dashboards restored in the car?

No, it’s impossible to restore wooden dashboards and interior trim or create hand painted wood effect on metal dashboards whilst the items are still in their car. All the pieces that need restoration need to be taken out of your car and supplied to me at my workshop in Normandy, France,

 

 

How do we make this happen if you’re far from me and my car?

Discover how I carry out dashboard restoration projects for clients around the world. Oh yes, I have clients not only in France where I’m based and the UK (well yes, I’m British) but many European countries, both private clients and garages. I also have clients on other continents, as far away as Australia! My furthest yet is 10,489 miles away!

 

 

 

 

The other woodwork items seem OK. Can I just restore the dashboard?

Yes, of course this is possible, however I wouldn’t recommend it if you hoping for a unified look to your woodwork.

In the past I have clients ask me to do this and then they have come back to me afterwards for me restore the other items as they then don’t look as good in comparison. This then causes problems as I am trying to match colours and as those are all mixed by hand it takes more time, creates more work and therefore more cost to the client.

Please let me reassure you that I am not saying this to create more work for myself, I am trying to provide the best restoration work possible so that my clients are 100% happy with the result, knowing that the dashboard and woodwork of the interior are the items that you’ll be looking at most as you enjoy your classic car in future.

 

 

Can you guarantee to match the colour and finish if I only ask you to restore some of the items of woodwork?

The only way to ensure that all your items match is to have them all restored at the same time. All colours are mixed by hand depending on the veneers and the solid wood at the time of restoration. In addition the finish (how thick or how shiny) would not be the same.

 

 

FAQs Simon Lorkin - Classic Dashboards

 

 

My dashboard has been badly restored previously elsewhere. Can you help me?

Absolutely. Whether your woodwork needs restoration due to the ravages of time or simply a bad restoration job (perhaps a previous owner trying to do it themselves) I can achieve your requirements. I have been restoring classic car dashboards and antique furniture for over 30 years and have been running my own business since 1991. Items come to me in all kinds of states. Some just need refinishing or some have broken pieces, missing elements or little veneer left. None of these situations is a problem, that’s what I’m here for.

 

 

 

Is it possible for my restored dashboard to look ‘old/original’ as I don’t like the new look ‘plastic’ dashboards?

Absolutely, that’s what I like doing. My reputation is built around providing my clients with woodwork that has been professionally restored but at the same time has kept the character of the wood and that is in-keeping with the age of the vehicle. Please contact me to discuss your requirements and I will achieve the finish you are looking for.

 

 

Mercedes Pullman W100 - Woodwork Restoration - Simon Lorkin - www.classicdashboards.com

 

Should I have a go at sanding off the finish before sending it to you?

Please don’t try. Sadly I have a lot of experience of previous clients trying to start the project themselves but in sanding the finish the veneer is often damaged and the project has ended up more costly due to the extra work involved of re-veneering. When I remove the finish I don’t sand it off, I use products that ‘eat’ through the old finish without harming the delicate veneer.

 

 

How much will it cost?

There isn’t single answer, even for two projects for the same make, model and age of car because there are so many different factors involved. What is the finish on the items at the moment? Will the veneer need replacing? Is the supporting wood in good condition or needs repair?

In every case I ask my clients to send me detailed clear photos of the items to restore, in particular zooming in on the most damaged areas. These can be sent via email to simon@classicdashboards.com or by post to : Simon Lorkin, Classic Dashboards, Le Mesnage, 50410 Montbray France.

Please click here to go to my prices page which explains in more detail how I price the individual dashboard restoration projects.

 

 

FAQs - Painted wood effect restoration for Facel Vega dashboards - Normandie - France

 

 

 

How long will it take?

This depends on many things; how many items there are, how much work is to be carried out on them and how much work is already in the workshop at the time. Please visit my page explaining in more detail the ‘turnaround’ to be expected for your project.

 

 

Do you use the modern PU lacquer that is used in modern cars?

It is not my style to produce the thick and glassy finish that appears in new cars. My style is to restore the beauty in the car’s interior woodwork and achieve this by using a water-based UV Safe lacquer in fine coats so show off the beauty of the woodwork. This is apply in up to 20 coat micron thin coats and is cut-back by hand in between creating a finish so fine it feels like you’re touching the real wood.

 

 

I can’t find the answer to a question I have…

In that case please get in touch and hopefully I can answer that for you, in person.

 

// Vous êtes francophone? – Découvrez la page ‘Foire aux questions’ en français en cliquant ici //