HIROMEI Co., Ltd.
Denki car
The world’s first!?
A fully veneer-clad machine —
the ultimate eco car powered by an EV engine!!
There are 10 types of veneer used for the body this time, and each one has a different grain pattern. Mr. Sato, who has 30 years of experience in this field, has made a choice and arrangement with a focus on "how to bring out the goodness of natural veneer." Another interesting point is that dark-colored veneer (ebony) is arranged from the bonnet to the ceiling to the rear to create a racing stripe style.
The interior is packed with veneer craftsmanship and advanced finishing techniques.
The interior matches the exterior, fully embracing a wood-grain theme.
The ceiling and side panels are finished with natural wood veneer, just like the exterior surfaces,
while the dashboard and wheel housings feature a wood-grain wrap paint treatment.
In addition, the front seats are crafted from wooden floor chairs,
which have been specially modified, finished with veneer, and carefully coated for durability.
The craftsmanship of the veneer on the curved surface shines
Veneer is normally applied to flat surfaces.
In vehicles, however, elements such as bumpers and wheels are composed almost entirely of curves.
In these situations, the veneer is carefully incised toward the curved surface,
with the cuts subtly offset from one another so that the wood grain aligns seamlessly.
Behind what appears to be a smooth surface lies a precise and delicate technique,
one that allows wood to follow complex curves without losing its continuity.
How do you attach the board?
Mr. Sato was in charge of attaching the veneer. Applying adhesive to both the position of the body and the back side of the veneer, "when the adhesive is dry on both sides", apply the heat of the iron as shown in the image. The process of attaching. However, after pasting, you have to spray water many times and hold down the float of the board while pasting. Originally, a commercial woodworking adhesive was used, but since it is not suitable for car bodies, a rubber bond with strong adhesion is used this time.