Wood Finished Dash with Pictures
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OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
I'm a fan of the wood finished dash. MINI makes a 5 piece Dash replacement kit with a dark brown glossy finish but the cost is about $495 for the parts and about one hour of labor to swap them with the stock dash.
I was interested in removing more parts and doing a custom finish in wood. I first went to a wood artisan and he said it could be done with laminates and he could do it for $40 /hour labor with minimal costs for materials. Each dash piece would be soaked in water to soften it then vacuum shaped to the Dash pieces. Solid pieces would be alot more and add to the weight compared to the stock parts. Durability in a hot car exposed to UV light and the elements was a consideration. Lots of hand work would be needed.
I took apart my dash and downtubes, clock cover, air vents on the top dash cover, cup holder and coin holder, and shift ring. I took them over to an airbrush specialist an in a few days he was done. We were trying to get the Koa wood look.
Cost of airbrushing was about $320. Dennis who did the work used to do wood working.
Wide view of Dash
Wide view of center dash
Right and center console
The dash part removals were not that hard to do. Just need a philips and torx screw driver and allen key for the downtubes. Everything went back in fine and there are no squeaks or rattles. The pictures are not as good as what it looks like in person. In the daylight the browns glow and at night it looks even better.
Thank you Dennis at Cosmic Airbrush.
Thank you Kohu'UlaMINI with the mirror cover swap
I've been planning this conversion for over a year.
I was interested in removing more parts and doing a custom finish in wood. I first went to a wood artisan and he said it could be done with laminates and he could do it for $40 /hour labor with minimal costs for materials. Each dash piece would be soaked in water to soften it then vacuum shaped to the Dash pieces. Solid pieces would be alot more and add to the weight compared to the stock parts. Durability in a hot car exposed to UV light and the elements was a consideration. Lots of hand work would be needed.
I took apart my dash and downtubes, clock cover, air vents on the top dash cover, cup holder and coin holder, and shift ring. I took them over to an airbrush specialist an in a few days he was done. We were trying to get the Koa wood look.
Cost of airbrushing was about $320. Dennis who did the work used to do wood working.
Wide view of Dash
Wide view of center dash
Right and center console
The dash part removals were not that hard to do. Just need a philips and torx screw driver and allen key for the downtubes. Everything went back in fine and there are no squeaks or rattles. The pictures are not as good as what it looks like in person. In the daylight the browns glow and at night it looks even better.
Thank you Dennis at Cosmic Airbrush.
Thank you Kohu'UlaMINI with the mirror cover swap
I've been planning this conversion for over a year.
Last edited by minihune; Jun 27, 2007 at 12:57 PM. Reason: Pictures updated
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Asbolutely beautiful. Great work, and it looks amazing in the MINI, especially in contrast to the blue/grey leather seats and blue carpet. It doesn't look "plasticy" at all, and is a huge improvement over the OEM wood panels at a very fair price. Rock On in your Custom-Koa MINI!
-Joe
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: HAWAII
"I'm a fan of the wood finished dash. MINI makes a 5 piece Dash replacement kit with a dark brown glossy finish but the cost is about $495 for the parts and about one hour of labor to swap them with the stock dash. "
AWESOME!!!
BTW, in case you're wondering, I'm not at work. Starting evening in-House shift at noon.
AWESOME!!!
BTW, in case you're wondering, I'm not at work. Starting evening in-House shift at noon.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta/Amsterdam
Not a big fan of the wood. I think it looks aweful. It looks fake, partly because of the airbrush and partly because the of the extensive use of the wood. That is more wood than on the Rolls Royce dash. Wood is used to evoque the feel of a luxury and elegant automobile, like a Rolls Royce. It looks totally out of place in a small sub $20,000 car (barely under $20,000), that in and of itself looks fake. To each his own, since I am sure there are probably things that people wouldn't like about my car.
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 97
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From: HAWAII
>>Not a big fan of the wood. I think it looks aweful. It looks fake, partly because of the airbrush and partly because the of the extensive use of the wood. That is more wood than on the Rolls Royce dash. Wood is used to evoque the feel of a luxury and elegant automobile, like a Rolls Royce. It looks totally out of place in a small sub $20,000 car (barely under $20,000), that in and of itself looks fake. To each his own, since I am sure there are probably things that people wouldn't like about my car.
I'm sure Minihune does what he does to his car because it suits him, not because he wants to be ostentatious as many nouveau riche do. He has already afforded considerably over $30K for his car, money which he could have used to buy a more impressive (to those superficial folks) marquee. But he chose the MINI because it's fun, and he's enjoying his modifications.
I've spent money myself on brands like Acura, Volvo, BMW, but the MINI is a fun car to own and drive! If you can get a new one that's not stripped down for under $20K, more power to you. That's something I would be proud of, because it would be a testament to financial acumen.
Just another man's opinion. :smile:
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2004 SG/B MC; CVT, xenon, HONDA ELEMENT ANTENNA!!!
MINIlani, Hawaii
I'm sure Minihune does what he does to his car because it suits him, not because he wants to be ostentatious as many nouveau riche do. He has already afforded considerably over $30K for his car, money which he could have used to buy a more impressive (to those superficial folks) marquee. But he chose the MINI because it's fun, and he's enjoying his modifications.
I've spent money myself on brands like Acura, Volvo, BMW, but the MINI is a fun car to own and drive! If you can get a new one that's not stripped down for under $20K, more power to you. That's something I would be proud of, because it would be a testament to financial acumen.
Just another man's opinion. :smile:
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2004 SG/B MC; CVT, xenon, HONDA ELEMENT ANTENNA!!!MINIlani, Hawaii
Coordinator :: Mid-Atlantic
Joined: May 2002
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From: Baltiluthermonium
You know...I would have thought I wouldn't like this...but actually it looks pretty freakin' sweet! 
And you know what else?? It reminds me of Hawaii for some reason. Don't ask me why.
And you know what else?? It reminds me of Hawaii for some reason. Don't ask me why.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,730
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That is very nice work. However, I'm not feeling it just like dgszweda1. It does seem out of place as it clashes with the minimalist interior design of the MINI. Perhaps if the downtubes and cup holders did not have that finish, it would look more fitting. I just can't place my finger on it. Maybe it is the koa wood design since I'm a fan of darker woods. A nice zebrano, burl walnut or a darker curly koa would have been nice.
nobias - Minihune has spent way more than $10k on his car. Including purchase price, he probably has $40k in it.
nobias - Minihune has spent way more than $10k on his car. Including purchase price, he probably has $40k in it.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 1
From: Bucks
I think it came out really well. I'm sure it looks even better in person. I personally am not a fan of the wood dash. I just think it doesn't work to well with our interior...but well done for doing something unique and fun!
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 1
From: Neenah, WI
Not my style, but the airbrushing is impressive. I looked at the pics before reading the text and I thought it was real. I agree with Beastmaster that the downtubes are a little much. I'd like to see it with just the horizontal dash parts in wood.
edit:
I do like it more the more I look at it, but I think I figured out what is turning me off - the steering wheel. Put out a wood rimmed steering wheel in there and that would balance out the rest of the wood.
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edit:
I do like it more the more I look at it, but I think I figured out what is turning me off - the steering wheel. Put out a wood rimmed steering wheel in there and that would balance out the rest of the wood.
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5th Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 861
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From: hawaii
how's about some exerior koa woody work? that'd take the cake.
and this whole time i was thinking you was gonna make the interior dash and all indi blue.
and that is some pretty darn good work. gotta see it in person.
and this whole time i was thinking you was gonna make the interior dash and all indi blue.
and that is some pretty darn good work. gotta see it in person.
