So I am coming to the Fiero community here on the forum for some advice. I am looking to "tastefully" upgrade my 84 Fiero's Interior. My Fiero has the brown/tan interior.

Here are links to the interior...
http://www.cargurus.com/Car...res-c8048_pi35811009
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonrev/5850452929/
I do have the sheepskin/suede seat covers and all leather steering wheel, but both are not installed currently.
http://www.cardomain.com/ri...8/1984-pontiac-fiero

Tentative upgrades...

Wood dash look (water transfer printing): https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum4/HTML/053586.html
THIS IS WHERE I REALLY NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am having a hard time picking the best wood look for my 84 brown/tan interior.
http://www.tvhydrodip.com/patterns.html (1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 11)
http://www.filmpatterns.com/?page_id=53 (so many more options here!)

Can you guys please give me suggestions as to what pattern you think will look best? Please browse through both sites. Your help is sooooo truly appreciated!

I will be using the wood dash look on the 3 plastic bezels... gauges, shifter surround, and radio/vents.

LED gauge cluster lights (red): http://www.tlg-store.com/product_p/fieroled020.htm

Cup holder arm rest w/ 12v plugin: http://www.tlg-store.com/product_p/fieroint001.htm
Or https://www.fiero.nl/forum/F...4/HTML/055991-6.html (which are done by TXGOOD).
I am not sure what the difference is between the two, but I would probably like to buy from a forum member to support their work and effort to our community.

Leather Shift Knob: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum4/HTML/047955.html
What matches the interior better? #3. brown knob or #4. grainy feeling brown? Thanks!

Rodney Dickman's Competition Short Throw Shifter: http://rodneydickman.com/ca...th=36&products_id=38
More functional than appealing, but I think it looks better too.

LED Dome Lights:
Lv 1: http://www.tlg-store.com/product_p/fieroled003.htm
Lv 2: http://www.tlg-store.com/Pr...ductCode=FIEROLED004
What is the difference between the two? Is Lv. 2 really worth the increased price?

LED ashtray lights: http://www.tlg-store.com/product_p/fieroled001.htm

LED courtesy lights: http://www.tlg-store.com/product_p/fieroled006.htm

I am also looking for the door map pockets that came out for the 84 brown/tan interior if anyone has any they are willing to sell.

Electric window helpers (Rodney Dickman): http://rodneydickman.com/ca...h=24&products_id=271
Again, more functional.

Well, I think that is it for now. What do you guys think?

Please help with picking the pattern for the water transfer printing!

Thanks for all of your help! Happy Holidays!

Number 2 from Hydrodip is the nicest. The dash kits that stick-on are usually the darker color and they look very nice so if you have the choice, the darker one will look very good.

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: Number 2 from Hydrodip is the nicest. The dash kits that stick-on are usually the darker color and they look very nice so if you have the choice, the darker one will look very good.

I also kinda like #2. I believe that look is called "burl wood". Would the burl wood look better than the straight wood design look better in the interior?

Straight wood: http://www.filmpatterns.com/?page_id=53&nggpage=4
SWG-22 looks pretty nice (first one of page 4)

Thanks! Need more advice and opinions!

[This message has been edited by FirstDrCar (edited 11-24-2011).]

I'm betting the upholder / armrest that TLG sells are made by TXGOOD, so I'd get them directly from him. I have one that he made, and I'll be the first to tell your they are high quality armrests. You can't go wrong getting them from him, and will likely save a few extra $$$ too.

Will also say that the Shifter Knobs redone by MMEYER are first rate as well. Nice quality workmanship from both forum members.

Robert

[This message has been edited by Axdrenalin (edited 11-24-2011).]

To give you a better idea of how they will look in a darker woodgrain, here is the stick on kit:

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: To give you a better idea of how they will look in a darker woodgrain, here is the stick on kit:

Wow! That looks awesome! That interior is not the same color as mine, though. Is that beechwood? I wonder how good the darker woodgrain will look in the 84...

What does everyone think of the straight wood look?
Straight wood: http://www.filmpatterns.com/?page_id=53&nggpage=4
SWG-22 looks pretty nice (first one of page 4)

Wish there were more pics of Fieros with the wood grain interior...

Honestly, every time I look at the straight grain wood patterns, I think that I am viewing a catalog for Lowes/Home Depot composite flooring kits. Nothing wrong with it but usually even the high-end exotics go with a burlwood that has no grain marks.

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: Honestly, every time I look at the straight grain wood patterns, I think that I am viewing a catalog for Lowes/Home Depot composite flooring kits. Nothing wrong with it but usually even the high-end exotics go with a burlwood that has no grain marks.

Where did you purchase that stick on kit from? How much was it?

What has better appeal and more durability... stick on kit or water transfer printing?

Thanks again for all of the help!

quote Originally posted by FirstDrCar: Where did you purchase that stick on kit from? How much was it? What has better appeal and more durability... stick on kit or water transfer printing? Thanks again for all of the help!

That actually is not my car. I just found the images for you. The kits can be purchased on Ebay or the Fiero Store although the Fiero Store will find a way to rip you off somehow. Here is the Ebay link and also scroll down to the bottom for more woodgrain choices. Also, their kit has EVERYTHING for the map pocket to the door pockets as well as the AC vents:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PON...&hash=item45fe6248d7

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 11-24-2011).]

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: That actually is not my car. I just found the images for you. The kits can be purchased on Ebay or the Fiero Store although the Fiero Store will find a way to rip you off somehow. Here is the Ebay link and also scroll down to the bottom for more woodgrain choices. Also, their kit has EVERYTHING for the map pocket to the door pockets as well as the AC vents: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PON...&hash=item45fe6248d7

Holy cow that is a good price! Would you go with the "classic burl wood"?

Seems like you get a lot of pieces for that price. And you can put on what you want when installing in your car.

Does anyone know the durability of these as compared to the water transfer printing?

Thanks again! +++++ for you IMSA GT

[This message has been edited by FirstDrCar (edited 11-24-2011).]

Being that today is a holiday and the forum is slow today, give this thread a few more days for some of the guys that have the woodgrain dash kits. They can give you an idea of the quality of the dash kits as well as the TLG products. Here is the kit from another member on here who bought the kit in 2008 for $134.00:

You can see this thread for more ideas as well as the guy who installed the above kit in his car:
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...110502-1-069174.html

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 11-24-2011).]

quote Originally posted by FirstDrCar: I am looking to "tastefully" upgrade my 84 Fiero's Interior. My Fiero has the brown/tan interior.... THIS IS WHERE I REALLY NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am having a hard time picking the best wood look for my 84 brown/tan interior. http://www.tvhydrodip.com/patterns.html (1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 11) http://www.filmpatterns.com/?page_id=53 (so many more options here!) Can you guys please give me suggestions as to what pattern you think will look best? Please browse through both sites. Your help is sooooo truly appreciated! I will be using the wood dash look on the 3 plastic bezels... gauges, shifter surround, and radio/vents.

The color combination in the picture of your Fiero's interior looks very similar to mine. This makes it easy for me to render an opinion re your question above, because I agonized over what was much the same question --- except with regard to real wood --- several years ago.

I'd go with the dark burlwood applique depicted by tvhydrodip "wood" item "# 2" in this link you provided within your opening post for this thread: http://www.tvhydrodip.com/patterns.html .

And yes, the next link you provided did contain, as you'd ponted out, "many more options" --- but I didn't see them as better options.

***Addendum***
Well, this is interesting, FirstDrCar: I see now that despite the large number of "wood-look" alternatives you provided us, IMSA GT and I independently both agreed on which one of those was best:

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: Number 2 from Hydrodip is the nicest.

quote Originally posted by project34: The color combination in the picture of your Fiero's interior looks very similar to mine. This makes it easy for me to render an opinion re your question above, because I agonized over what was much the same question --- except with regard to real wood --- several years ago. I'd go with the dark burlwood applique depicted by tvhydrodip "wood" item "# 2" in this link you provided within your opening post for this thread: http://www.tvhydrodip.com/patterns.html . And yes, the next link you provided did contain, as you'd ponted out, "many more options" --- but I didn't see them as better options.

Thank you for your opinion! It seems that #2 may be the option to go with if I go with the water transfer printing.

Project34... can you post pics of your interior with your actual wood dash? I was looking at another thread that had a similar idea here...
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...050818-1-049746.html
Seems like a fun project to possibly take on this winter.. Gotta get a dremel and a carpenter friend lol. I wonder if I can get a "burl wood" look if I go the actual wood look.

Thanks again for the links IMSA GT!!! So very helpful.

quote Originally posted by Axdrenalin: I'm betting the upholder / armrest that TLG sells are made by TXGOOD, so I'd get them directly from him. I have one that he made, and I'll be the first to tell your they are high quality armrests. You can't go wrong getting them from him, and will likely save a few extra $$$ too. Will also say that the Shifter Knobs redone by MMEYER are first rate as well. Nice quality workmanship from both forum members. Robert

I agree. Buying products from forum members is the way to go.

Just a suggestion since you're upgrading the interiors to consider Speedhut indiglo gauge face overlays. (as opposed to upgrading the bulbs/lighting) I absolutely love mine.
You can order them just about any way you want them. You can choose letter type, font size,
add symbols, choose your own text and background colors, etc...
I chose black text on white face background and added the Fiero Pegasus in them.
That and you can also order a color change potentiometer/switch thingie.
I can switch mine from green to blue and adjust sensitivity at the touch of a switch.
Gauge visibility is FANTASTIC!
Was about $109.00+ shipping (several years ago)

Kit

quote Originally posted by Kitskaboodle: Just a suggestion since you're upgrading the interiors to consider Speedhut indiglo gauge face overlays. (as opposed to upgrading the bulbs/lighting) I absolutely love mine. You can order them just about any way you want them. You can choose letter type, font size, add symbols, choose your own text and background colors, etc... I chose black text on white face background and added the Fiero Pegasus in them. That and you can also order a color change potentiometer/switch thingie. I can switch mine from green to blue and adjust sensitivity at the touch of a switch. Gauge visibility is FANTASTIC! Was about $109.00+ shipping (several years ago) Kit

I am actually not a very big fan or those but thanks!

[This message has been edited by FirstDrCar (edited 11-25-2011).]

PM sent......

quote Originally posted by FirstDrCar: Thank you for your opinion! It seems that #2 may be the option to go with if I go with the water transfer printing.

You're welcome, and yes, if you go with tvhydrodip.com, I think that would be the one of theirs that would look best with your interior's color combination.

If you instead decide to go with filmpatterns.com, I'd go with one of three of theirs that are similar in appearance to the one I just mentioned above, either WSG-02 (the lightest I'd go), WSG-108, or WSG-132 (the darkest I would go with your interior's color combination).

quote Originally posted by FirstDrCar: Project34... can you post pics of your interior with your actual wood dash? I was looking at another thread that had a similar idea here... https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...050818-1-049746.html

Unfortunately, I've no pictures of it to post, and The Fiero Store (where I bought that particular burlwood trim for my dash) discontinued it some time ago.

I don't care as much for the appearance of the "woodgrain dash kit" currently marketed by The Fiero Store ( http://fierostore.com/Product/Detail.aspx?s=50132 ) because its color is much lighter than mine, and it has a quite pronounced, vertical, straight grain pattern to it, unlike my burlwood dash (which The Fiero Store marketed previously). I'd also say that the wood dash you referenced above ( https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...050818-1-049746.html ) really isn't "a similar idea" to mine, at least not in terms of its appearance. It's much more similar in appearance to the one currently marketed by The Fiero Store than it is to mine.

quote Originally posted by FirstDrCar: I wonder if I can get a "burl wood" look if I go the actual wood look.

If by "the actual wood look", you are referring to what you'd earlier called "straight wood", the answer is no, that can't easily be made to look like burlwood. Simply speaking, perhaps the easiest way to get a burlwood look is to start out with a burlwood look, similar to the four already discussed above in regard to those afforded by tvhydrodip.com and filmpatterns.com.

Also, be forewarned of one appearance disadvantage that until now you may not have been aware of when using real burlwood in a Fiero's interior: That wood can be comparatively thick. More specifically, for example, the burlwood in my Fiero's interior is roughly 1/4th inch thick. At the instrument surround, this isn't a problem, because that thickness is concealed by the burlwood being recessed within that instrument surround. In contrast, the top of the burlwood trim on my Fiero's center console is roughly 1/4th inch higher than the remainder of the center console, which in my opinion doesn't enhance the otherwise svelte appearance of the burlwood.

quote Originally posted by project34: If by "the actual wood look", you are referring to what you'd earlier called "straight wood", the answer is no, that can't easily be made to look like burlwood. Simply speaking, perhaps the easiest way to get a burlwood look is to start out with a burlwood look, similar to the four already discussed above in regard to those afforded by tvhydrodip.com and filmpatterns.com. Also, be forewarned of one appearance disadvantage that until now you may not have been aware of when using real burlwood in a Fiero's interior: That wood can be comparatively thick. More specifically, for example, the burlwood in my Fiero's interior is roughly 1/4th inch thick. At the instrument surround, this isn't a problem, because that thickness is concealed by the burlwood being recessed within that instrument surround. In contrast, the top of the burlwood trim on my Fiero's center console is roughly 1/4th inch higher than the remainder of the center console, which in my opinion doesn't enhance the otherwise svelte appearance of the burlwood.

What I was saying in regards to the "actual wood look" was that I would like to use real wood that had the burl wood look. Instead of going with the water transfer printing or buying the fake plastic pieces from an ebay vendor, I am thinking of using actual wood. Is the thinnest I can go 1/4th inches? I have a carpenter next door to me that I plan on asking to help. Can I get real wood with the burl wood look to cut bezel pieces out of.

IMSA GT.. thank you for the pm. Very helpful. I am coming up with a detailed response full of questions and opinions. Thanks!

[This message has been edited by FirstDrCar (edited 11-25-2011).]

Thank you for clarifying things, FirstDrCar:

quote Originally posted by FirstDrCar: What I was saying in regards to the "actual wood look" was that I would like to use real wood that had the burl wood look. Instead of going with the water transfer printing or buying the fake plastic pieces from an ebay vendor, I am thinking of using actual wood. Is the thinnest I can go 1/4th inches? I have a carpenter next door to me that I plan on asking to help. Can I get real wood with the burl wood look to cut bezel pieces out of.

Yes, it looks like you can do that, and in thicknesses considerably less than 1/4th inch --- ranging from 1/5th inch, apparently all the way down to 1/40th inch --- IF I'm interpreting correctly the comments re those dimensions which I found in this link at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Walnu...d=1322283020&sr=8-22 .

However, I may be misintrepreting those comments at that link, so perhaps your carpenter neighbor next door can provide us his interpretation of them.

In any case, I readily can ernvision how successfully creating one's own wood dash trim from burl wood could be extremely satisfying!

quote Originally posted by FirstDrCar: So I am coming to the Fiero community here on the forum for some advice. I am looking to "tastefully" upgrade my 84 Fiero's Interior. My Fiero has the brown/tan interior. LED Dome Lights: Lv 1: http://www.tlg-store.com/product_p/fieroled003.htm Lv 2: http://www.tlg-store.com/Pr...ductCode=FIEROLED004 What is the difference between the two? Is Lv. 2 really worth the increased price?

The difference between the LVL 1 and LVL 2 is significant.

With the level 1 kit you get LED bulb replacements that have a 360 degree light output, essentially only facing 2 of the LEDs per bulb downward, the rest sine around inside the housing and reflect out just like the stock bulbs.

The level 2 kits give you 10 high power LEDs firing straight down so you get way more light output.

The level 1 kit is still bright, looks great, and is easier to install, but the level 2 kit is more functional.

quote Originally posted by project34: Thank you for clarifying things, FirstDrCar: Yes, it looks like you can do that, and in thicknesses considerably less than 1/4th inch --- ranging from 1/5th inch, apparently all the way down to 1/40th inch --- IF I'm interpreting correctly the comments re those dimensions which I found in this link at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Walnu...d=1322283020&sr=8-22 . However, I may be misintrepreting those comments at that link, so perhaps your carpenter neighbor next door can provide us his interpretation of them. In any case, I readily can ernvision how successfully creating one's own wood dash trim from burl wood could be extremely satisfying!

I am glad we got that all settled Yes, I definitely have to talk to my neighbor regarding this project. Right now I am looking to find the three bezel trim pieces to use as templates for the project so that I do not have to take mine out of the car. And you're right, I would be very satisfied with real wood trim. Some luxury cars even come with real wood trim.

quote Originally posted by Oslo: The difference between the LVL 1 and LVL 2 is significant. With the level 1 kit you get LED bulb replacements that have a 360 degree light output, essentially only facing 2 of the LEDs per bulb downward, the rest sine around inside the housing and reflect out just like the stock bulbs. The level 2 kits give you 10 high power LEDs firing straight down so you get way more light output. The level 1 kit is still bright, looks great, and is easier to install, but the level 2 kit is more functional.

Thank you for the clarification, Oslo!