Woodgrain replacement

[bilge rat]

Here's my problem-  My 83 Eagle Limited wagon has virtually no body rust, the original copper brown paint is a  bit faded, but holding up nicely for being 30 years old.  The "woodgrain" panels, however, are flaking off, and it's time to give the old girl some new makeup.  My first thought was to replace the vinyl panels with REAL wood veneer, something a bit exotic like purpleheart or butternut.  Upon reflection, 2 points kept running through my head (no, not my horns!).  1.  Real wood will require maintenance, and I'd rather drive my Eagle than work on it.  2.  I really don't even like the look of woodgrain.

My missus works in the digital imaging business, and I can have anything I want printed on vinyl, so I'm looking for ideas.  I would like this print to reflect ME, so a bit about ME- Canadian, 3 days older than dirt, outdoorsy, fishin' campin' and explorin' , you get the idea.  Any and all suggestions will be considered, so let your imaginations run wild!
Thanks in advance.

[MudPuppy]

A type of camoflague would probably be kinda cool looking I think.  Maybe base it somewhat near to the color of your car so it doesn't look awkward.
My 87 came factory with wood grain and the PO had it removed,  I think it looks sharper without it...  just another idea. 

[maddog]

I say go camouflage as well if you don't like the woodgrain look. me personally I kind of like it.

[Monkeyjoe]

Make a "Flat" lettering made in the word "Eagle" match the color of the car  like ghost letters

[vangremlin]

You might go something like an eagle theme, with a big bird in front of an outdoorsy type theme.  When you're adding customization like this, I always think its important to make sure it can be removed easily, as what reflects you might not reflect potential buyers, if you ever want to sell it.  Let us know what you decide!

[Prafeston]

Stick with the woodgrain. It's classy!

[1985amceagle]

I believe jim had a writeup on how to replace woodgrain

edit, found it, turns out it was wondereagle

http://amceaglesden.com/guide/index.php?title=Replacing_Exterior_Woodgrain_Vinyl

[IowaEagle]

Good search.   Jim (RIP) did a good job with that.

[rollguy]

I would go with "Real Tree" camo myself (kinda like on Duck Dynasty).  You could have the colors changed from greens to browns. Just my .02

[Prafeston]

I did some research when trying to match a woodgrain for a project I was going to do with my old Eagle. Found a very close match on eBay. Metrostyling has several very close matches in Teak Woodgrain.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_osacat=0&_armrs=1&_ssn=metrorestyling&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xteak&_nkw=teak&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[Nightpath]

Nyan cat. Or penises.

Why not stand out?

In all honesty, I'd avoid that. Here's what you SHOULD do :

Tape off the edges of where you want to paint. Go to your local girly store, pick up 2-3 bottles of the color changing fingernail polish with the base color of what you like. Thin it out a tonne with whatever (paint thinner I think), then find a deck sprayer and paint where you had the old crappy flaking fake wood stuff.

Profit.

When you roll down the road, the sides of your car will change color. I have a friend who works in this stuff, did his whole late 60's Bug in it. It appears black, but as you walk around it it turns purple and green, and needed VERY little wet sanding before a clear coat...and it looks AWESOME. ( similar to this : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGGmmxJ8fqI )

I will be doing my Eagle like this in the summer, after all the mechanical gremlins are kicked out.

This is the effect you should have : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqU_1PNrX8Q

[macdude443]

3M makes adhesive woodgrain material for this purpose.  Honestly, I'd be proud of myself for tackling the job and having it come out looking original.  Looks like a tough job.  http://www.stripeman.com/woodgrain-decal.htm

[vangremlin]

Here is an option on this wagon for sale in PA

http://york.craigslist.org/cto/4426514853.html