I haven't had to deal with those lumber issues, since I mostly build with MDF and paint the pieces. Most of the wood working I do is lamp bases, frames and light boxes for my stained glass work.
I need to get a jointer/planer for some other upcoming projects. I'm going to be building some furniture pieces with glass inlays and I don't want to use MDF for any part of those. I plan to do all the joinery with biscuits, dowels and dovetails where appropriate.
Thanks for the tips.
Oh yeah, I glued the veneer using Weldwood Contact Cement. After looking into it, I figured that would hold up well under the conditions inside a car. It was really easy to work with too. I rolled it on both surfaces, let it dry and used a slip sheet between the layers that I pulled out as I rolled the veneer on. This helped make sure I didn't trap any air bubbles under the veneer. I used a J-roller and rolled it on as hard as I could.
I want to get a vacuum bag system or put one together myself in the near future. I'd like to be able to work with curved surfaces more easily.