Is Cadillac's Wood Panelling REAL?

[RoyalScottish]

I have my doubts on nearly every model made from the mid-80's on, but you'd think Cadillac wouldn't stint...or am I wrong?

Anyone know for certain if the Cadillac wood-trim is always/sometimes/never real wood?

[Rawja]

Cadillac started using real wood in the mid to late eighties, depending on the model.

[RoyalScottish]

So before that, it was a fake?

[NTX5467]

I know for a fact that the current production wood trim on the DeVilles and such IS real wood . . . to the tune of about $700.00 retail for the piece between the a/c vents on the instrument panel. Many have been replaced due to a/c vent issues AND it usually gets chinked on one edge by the tech in the process, which is a tricky process to even do (much less not "damage" the wood in the process).

If you want to get a definitive answer to your question, find a GM parts countersales person at a dealership that is in a "lull" period and get them to check prices. The real finished wood will be very expensive and the "decal" wood panels will be significantly less, I suspect.

The wood they use seems to have a highly involved and lengthy refinishing process rather than just some slick varnish sprayed on like paint on the fenders. If it's like the wood kits for many of the upscale truck conversions, it's done in "coats" and each coat must be fully dried and sanded before the next one can happen. One reason they have such good durability, unlike many of the cheesy conversions of the '80s where the varnish was evaporating inside of one year in the southwest USA summer heat.

Enjoy!

NTX5467