Replacement woodgrain di-noc: I likey

This is from woodgrain4wagons. It is slightly deeper brown with red tones than what's on my '90 Colony Park. The grain pattern is "Country Squire" and mimics, in larger scale, the pattern used on early 1970's CS's. Good thickness for molding to tricky contours, glossy finish, but not too glossy, and 3M adhesive-backed.

 

Take a pic up against your CP......

 

Here are two photos, no flash, next to the Colony's di-noc. First one on sunny side of car, second on shady side.

 

I like the original CP grain better, but that's just me........

 

And me...

 

The original definitely is quality product and it's not that I like the replacement better, but it is now so hard to find any kind of replacement vinyl that I'd even consider good enough to use. I would not hesitate to use this if I had to re-wood the wagon.

 

I agree that the original looks better. How was the price on it compared to another supplier? As a matter of interest, my neighbor is a retired professional body man and painter and he does good work. He told me awhile back that the colour of the paint behind the woodgrain can change the tone of the product once it is on the car. I have noticed on our Buicks, that the paint behind the woodgrain is different shades of brown depending on the colour of the car and the tone of the woodgrain. you might want to ask about that. Apparently, according to Ron, the woodgrain sheeting is somewhat transparent. Anybody else have any information on that subject?

 

It's definitely not cheap - I think between 700 and 900 to do a large wagon. Also, the paint color does have some effect on the tone of the woodgrain. I notice on my CP it looks more golden brown and on lighter CP's it appears redder. In the early 70's, Pontiac LeMans Safaris took it a step further and the vinyl was almost see-through so the woodgrain took on the tone of the underlying paint. You can find old ads that showed this. For a time, too, Ford used a reflective woodgrain on the tailgates and this was marketed as a night-time safety feature. With all that said, I'm still imnpressed with the woodgrain4wagons product.

 

Thanks for your continued research on this serious resto problem, Merc. I have seen the sample you show on several cars and I have to say that the red tint in that particular product really put me off. It screams after market at first glance. At least to me. I have, as stated above, been appreciative of your relentless search for a factory look Di-Noc product. I still have to contend, however, that there simply isn't any out there that I have ever seen. While you would not hesitate to use the product that you are showing here on your wagon....I would be very sad to see that ever happen. The color is just wrong to me.
The other major problem that I see regarding after market Di-Noc products is that, while they look pretty in viewing them, the wood grain on most of them, if not all, is far to large and open with too much contrast as well. They look nice, but, when placed on a car they look too heavy and "woody". Your eye goes to the heavy wood look instead of to the car in general. Again, I appreciate your tenacity, but, I have yet to see a factory match or one even very close. As KK said....maybe that's just me.

 

Thanks for the thoughtful post Fox. I do hear what you're saying,and I really never want to have to re-wood the Colony, but realistically I drive it daily and can't just lock it away in a museum. So I like to have a "Plan B" and this is what I have come up with so far that works for me. Another approach I posted about before is professionally painted woodgrain, but that's even pricier.

 

I also appreciate the research that you have performed, 90merc. As a new owner of an 85 Country Squire, I am hesitant to use anything other than whatever I can find that is closest to the original, regardless of cost.

I have one fender that bubbled and needs to be addressed this winter. While it would be great to only do one fender, I expect to have to replace the woodgrain on the rest of the car to match it. If I can't do it right, I won't do it at all.

Again, thanks for the pics of that woodgrain. It looks an awful lot like what I have on the wagon. I'll contact the supplier for a piece of it to compare. So far, it's the closest I've seen in my short time doing my own queries.

Thanks again!

 

You're welcome Zal. I agree about the all or none approach. The sample I am showing has a much wider grain pattern than what's on your Squire, so you couldn't do just one panel, plus the color won't match. I think it would look decent if you used it on the whole car, but it's not cheap either. If I ever need to redo my Colony Park, I'll either use this stuff or have the woodgrain painted on by a specialist. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

I completely understand where you're coming from '90. It's a close match, and we have to face facts that they haven't made the Colony Park since 1991. I'm very thankful you're doing this research, as I just noticed my wood on my '90 CP is looking a little weak in some places and if I should ever need to replace it, it's good to know that someone's done some research. Like you, I drive mine daily (minus the salty road season) and am not locking it up in a museum (it's nowhere near museum quality) and if worst comes to worst, it's good to know I can at least replace it with SOMETHING, unlike the many times you see that section of wagons just painted brown.

 

tuff call 90 my friend....but i think id look for something closer...if it were me

I have some at work that I got from my 'glass' supplier for a 73 Clam we restored.
...i will try to get a decent pic of it...and post it this week

 

Thanks CE, I appreciate the comments. I have seen that "painted brown" look too, and it just doesn't do it for me. Granted the woodgrain4wagons "Country Squire" pattern di-noc I'm showing here is not a perfect substitute by any means, but I do feel that it offers an acceptable solution. As I've said before, I really like the look of professionally painted woodgrain and know where I could have it done (Woodgrain Specialists, Littlestown, PA) but I have not priced it, knowing that it would be very costly and knowing that I hope to get another 15 years out of the factory di-noc, barring any accidents.

Thanks Rev. I do hear you about the match, but I agree with CE that if worse came to worst, I'd be fine with the "Country Squire" pattern.
I'm really curious to see the '73 Clamshell di-noc because the Chevy pattern was very large grained, almost metallic gold looking, the Pontiac was wide-patterned and reddish, and the Buick and Olds were a finer pattern, both brown, with the Buick being darker. Also, if the product dates from the '70's, the adhesive will be shot, and applying it to the body would require additional steps to make sure it didn't bubble and peel.