Someone needs to re-pop the 72 and 73 Monaco woodgrain...just love it!
DI-NOC Siding
Restoring a station wagon's woodgrain is now quick and easy
In basic form, it can be said that there are two different generations of wood-clad domestic vehicles: those built with real wood prior to 1954, and those built with faux wood paneling--or DI-NOC--after 1953, though some manufacturers dropped real wood-bodied wagons from their lineup prior to that year. Wood kits have been available to restorers for more than a decade, or can be fabricated accordingly; however, the same could not be said for those who prefer the later generations of cargo carriers.
That's all changed with the recent reintroduction of DI-NOC Automotive Finishes, thanks to the combined efforts of 3M and Interior Design Solutions. DI-NOC is currently available in no less than 65 wood colors/patterns in 48-inch-wide rolls in increments of five linear feet; there is a minimum order of 10 linear feet. The vinyl film features 3M's Comply adhesive, allowing anyone to apply it to both the flat and curved surfaces of any automobile. Done properly, seams will become nearly invisible. According to Interior Design Solutions, DI-NOC is also resistant to solvents, detergents, water and scratches. The cost ranges from $3.35 - $4.35 per square foot.
With a Sixties station wagon in our future, complete with heavily worn faux woodgrain siding that will surely need replacing, we took the opportunity to see just how easy it is to install DI-NOC on an extra door that was lying about in the shop. Heeding the advice of Interior Design Solutions, we also sourced an 8-ounce can of 3M's 94 Primer, which cost $8.04.
After properly cleaning the door's surface and allowing proper drying time, we lightly applied the 94 Primer to the edges and concave areas. The primer, which dries in seconds, assists the DI-NOC's Comply adhesive in maintaining a proper seal in these areas. It's advised to use the primer in a well-ventilated area.
We opted to use a light woodgrain pattern--FW888--partly for contrast. Under ideal situations, the DI-NOC can be rough-cut (with nothing more than a pair of scissors) to size, with the edges eventually covered by trim. Once cut to size, it's simply a matter of slowly removing the backing with one hand, while working the DI-NOC onto the surface with the other. No special tools are required here; using your fingers to slowly apply the material while working out air pockets is all that's required. Voilà--woodgrain siding! The total amount of time spent on this test patch after a pre-install cleaning was 10 minutes. A little practice or an extra hand can easily knock that time down.
Contact: Interior Design Solutions, 866-953-4662,
www.dinocfilm.com
