That really doesn't look good and to be honest, the DIY jobs I've seen have looked just as bad
Leather trim issue
- Thread starter Dalek
- Start date
I hear what you say Sean, but to be honest, it can’t look a lot worse than it does at the moment!
Before embarking on refitting new leather I would try and salvage the original. try neatsfoot oil, its pretty good stuff, I am a falconer and for obvious reasons leather care is a very important part of avian management.
Thanks for that. I will give it a go as only the strip is damaged. The hood itself and the dashboard top are fine.
same here with mine i did rub some baby oil into it to try and soften the leather it did sort of work.. and i did manage to push the leather back in but its not good.. also the airbag side on mine was coming away.. really need to get the dash out but its too big of a job i cant be bothered..
My airbag cover came away but managed to get a new one on this group.
The "fix" here in Australia.... a dash mat..... I know its under there but with a black dash mat covering it it cannot be seen.
If I were to replace it... realistically within 4-5 years the issue starts raising it's ugly head again.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Dash...h=item51d6c7549b:g:INoAAOSwiJJbcw1s:rk:1:pf:0
If I were to replace it... realistically within 4-5 years the issue starts raising it's ugly head again.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Dash...h=item51d6c7549b:g:INoAAOSwiJJbcw1s:rk:1:pf:0
My 1996 1.9 did not have a leather dash i.e no problems 
Seats were dark red leather and did show wear on the drivers seat but that was all.
Seats were dark red leather and did show wear on the drivers seat but that was all.
jaguartvr
Zorg Guru (I)
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
- Points
- 95
On old leather I use E45 cream from the chemist, very cheap. If it works on the wife it will do wonders for your hard dried out leather!
For re colouring leather I use shoe polish, available in so many colours. I find the ones you buy on eBay tend to be paint on which look good when first applied but seem to attract the dirt more so 6 months later it looks worse than when you started. Just make sure you polish it all off before sitting on it and make sure you wear your seat belt. If not the first time you use the brakes in anger you will slide off the seat and under the steering wheel, don't ask me how I know.
For re colouring leather I use shoe polish, available in so many colours. I find the ones you buy on eBay tend to be paint on which look good when first applied but seem to attract the dirt more so 6 months later it looks worse than when you started. Just make sure you polish it all off before sitting on it and make sure you wear your seat belt. If not the first time you use the brakes in anger you will slide off the seat and under the steering wheel, don't ask me how I know.
I would have the dash out to do it properly. It's another job you just need to be methodical with. However the 3 screws right under the windscreen at the back are a pig to get out. I had to remove just 1 last night to do the loom and 30 minutes later I still didn't have it out fully. Though it was enough for the job I was doing.
You have the help of a very, very good tutorial in this:
https://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38747
The leather repair itself I wouldn't touch with a barge pole if I wanted it done preoperly. As some of you know I restore leather seats, I've repaired large holes, I've repaired bolsters, re-coloured leather etc etc. But I honestly think you're on to a loser trying to repair shrunk leather. Just the same as trying to shrink saggy leather on seats.
I would be asking a specialist trimmer like Bespoke Leathering or even Royal Steering Wheels. The leather is surprisingly inexpensive. But the labour is not going to be. If a steering wheel is around £150 I would guess £300-£400 if you were re-doing the entire dash. Which you might want to do to keep matching grain leather.
However if you don't want to spend that sort of money then gluing it back with the right glue is a lot better than nothing. I use this to repair bolsters, it's easy to apply, is very strong and works with leather too.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trim-Fix...eather-Adhesive-Glue-Spray-500ml/223160081810
You have the help of a very, very good tutorial in this:
https://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38747
The leather repair itself I wouldn't touch with a barge pole if I wanted it done preoperly. As some of you know I restore leather seats, I've repaired large holes, I've repaired bolsters, re-coloured leather etc etc. But I honestly think you're on to a loser trying to repair shrunk leather. Just the same as trying to shrink saggy leather on seats.
I would be asking a specialist trimmer like Bespoke Leathering or even Royal Steering Wheels. The leather is surprisingly inexpensive. But the labour is not going to be. If a steering wheel is around £150 I would guess £300-£400 if you were re-doing the entire dash. Which you might want to do to keep matching grain leather.
However if you don't want to spend that sort of money then gluing it back with the right glue is a lot better than nothing. I use this to repair bolsters, it's easy to apply, is very strong and works with leather too.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trim-Fix...eather-Adhesive-Glue-Spray-500ml/223160081810
This is what I used for the speedo pod. It worked a treat and looks like it came out of the factory. I wouldn't even start trying to fit the replacement leather on the rest of the trim, too many bends and crevices to get the leather glued down correctly.
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2011
- Points
- 137
- Location
- Peak District
- Model of Z
- Z3 2.2 sport, Z4 Coupe 3.0Si, E38 728i Oxford green and beige interior
Have a trip up north and let Jim the Trim sort it.
https://zroadster.org/threads/autotrim-denton-aka-jim-the-trim.25600/
https://zroadster.org/threads/autotrim-denton-aka-jim-the-trim.25600/
Happy to help if needed.... Ive done it twice as has Southernboy (aka Barry).... Im not sure id want to do it a 3rd time ha ha