Greetings.
I have the ability to make new dash wood panels from scratch. Would it be better to use a plywood core with a laminate or to make them from some cabinet quality close grain wood? I have the planers and other tools to duplicate the existing wood patterns. Would also appreciate recommendation for type of wood.
Thanks in advance.

I would use a good marine grade ply. Resistant to moisture and won't warp or twist.

Agreed, but you don't really need the marine grade, that is just made with glue that is resistant to constant contact with water for a prescribed period of time. Any good cabinet "stain grade" veneer plywood will do just fine. Cabinet grade plywood uses solid cores (usually birch) that are stacked at alternate 90 degrees and the stack is balanced around the center, so it is plenty stable for a car dashboard. I use www.boulterplywood.com in Boston. Good folks and they routinely ship, but obviously if you have a local source that makes more sense. If you veneer, think about using www.veneersupplies.com they are the best that I have found. Just make sure that you seal all the surfaces and it will be plenty stable. Unless you do a submarine move with the car like that kid in the movie did with the Porsche.... forgot his name.

Pete

Thanks for the info. Been out for the last week. Will check locally here in El Paso

+1 with what Roller said, and there are lots of good step by step posts on this.
Back in the dark ages, 35 years ago or so, and before the Internet, I planned down some solid white oak for the dash and shifter. It's held up pretty well, but I have the urge to change it again.

RRoller123 wrote:If you veneer, think about using http://www.veneersupplies.com they are the best that I have found. Pete

I got the urge to make a new dash. I ordered some Koa strips from the site mentioned above - they had a great selection of options.
I've never done veneer before and I have a lot of experimenting to do before I actually take on the full project. After much research, the current plan is to use Tru-Oil. I may need to put some varnish on the wood for color first. Like I say, I have a lot of experimenting before I go for the real project.

you can use any solid wood or use marine plywood and a veneer. however, UV protection is critical as our dash boards see lots of sun (or at least, they should). a good marine grade varnish with UV protection is an excellent choice.

here's my dash done in solid mahogany with marine varnish. it's held up great for the past few years.

That's a great-looking custom dashboard/console! I went with mahogany plywood, as some others have done. 1/4", and backed it up with birch plywood for those sections requiring a different thickness. Spate, I envy your collection of woodworking equipment; this was my paint booth A computer fan, two furnace filters and some boxes



I too have used veneersupplies.com, and it would be interesting to try this approach on OE Spider "woodwork". The company offers veneer and glue that can be applied with a household iron. This is my result with their Rosewood version:

I have some experience with the iron method from building a murphy bed that used a lot of that. Just don't know how well it would hold up in the hot sun. New dash will be a project this winter after I retire for the final time in December.

Thanks to all.

FWIW, I subjected a sample of heat-activated veneer+plywood to a variety of conditions, and it emerged unscathed. I suspect that if the substrate is perfectly clean and the glue is properly applied, the bond is virtually indestructible.