I just recently joined your site and one of your members very kindly suggested I post my question in this sub forum. I was told to try and buy some simulated wood grain for my 1973 Gran Torino station wagon which I am getting painted. Anybody know where I could get some of this material...I live in BC Canada but willing to get it in from wherever.
Nice! another wagon lover from BC. 3M makes simulated woodgrain called 'Di-noc', I imagine you could purchase some from here.
I bought and replaced my original Ford vinyl with the stuff from J.C. Whitney in 2007. I used a hairdryer to apply it. - BIG Mistake! I didn't have a heat gun, which allows for quick heat without heating the sheetmetal. Now, the J.C. Whitney product, which apparently was made by the original Ford woodgrain vendor, is blistering and pealing. I agree with Bob, the 3M Dinoc is a proven outdoor vinyl. The other option is to check out the painted projects here on our site. Some really nice work. Its worth the time, to do it right, and may cost as much as the vinyl, but you'll never need a heat gun either. Lots of sites offer tips on painting woodgrain by hand. The materials and humidity factors are the trick, given your choice of paint prep and paint and clearcoat products. I roller painted my wagon, then applied the vinyl after the paint cured (about 3 days for Tremclad). Here's the link to my roller project: http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=711 Here's a Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOZAPI9ZqOY And another site on Roller painting http://carpainting.wetpaint.com/page/Roller+Method