The current surface isn't the worst brushed ally surface I've seen, it seems to be very lightly brushed. The bigger problem is that it's really soft and has marked badly around the handbrake area. Not sure what the previous owner did to it...
Have considered and discounted leather already as it's supposedly quite tricky getting the edges rolled thin enough to tuck behind it, but that would have been my preferred solution.
@Rally I've had issues with the vinyl rucking up in places, I'll take a picture later to show you. I think you can by some vinyl primer which should help stop it doing it.
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