Don Carter

I found a small upholstery shop in town and had them do some work on one of my boat seats a few weeks ago. The seemed to know what they were doing, so when I picked up the boat seat, I gave them a VERY nasty old cracked and dried out pod to see what they could do with it. They said they could recover the entire pod in vinyl or leather, but came up with another idea to keep the cost down. Just recover the top and re-dye the front. I don't remember seeing this approach posted here, so thought I would post pics.

The top is padded and covered in leather. Obviously there's a glue joint on top but hopefully it will hold up. The front is probably more shiny than stock, but looks pretty good.

I'm not sure if I will use this pod or not in my 89 since I have an original uncracked pod to go into it. If I get the time, I might pull the 89 dash and let them cover it in leather. Anyway, this one might be for sale soon.

Before anyone asks, this is a tiny place run by Mexicans that don't speak much English. They don't ship so their work is local only.

SeanR

Looks pretty good to me.

77tony

Looks great Don. What did it cost you? T

Tony

not bad.

test will be how it holds up through a summer. My pod has always had a split down the center, i just have the pod tipped where i cant see it when i drive.

Ive got some flex fill i may try but its hard to blend with the surrounding texture.

Rob M Budd

I think it looks great. Much easier and less expensive than re-wrapping the whole pod. I expect if the shop used the normal professional adhesive and prepped the surface, so it should hold up very well.

rgs944

That does look like a nice alternative. I woulld be interested in it for my newest S4 if you decide not to use it. PM sent with contact info.

Kevin in Atlanta

That could be an interesting alternative to pulling a cracked dash and upgrading the look with leather. Very nice indeed.

Alan

Neat idea - haven't seen it before - it looks pretty good I think. For a pod that's in good shape except for cracks or sun damage on the top it is a great solution. Seems you could do a deliberate contrasting color too.

Alan

Five-8

Looks very good.I've not yet had my pod out, i am wondering if it is possible to staple(back tack) the seamed edge and pull it to the underside edges thus eliminating the possibility of the seamed edge lifting/delaminating?
Don't know if one can staple(pneumatic) into the pod construction itself...possible?

Cheers,

toofast928

Looks good. I like the stitching.

Rob M Budd

Under the vinyl there is just foam and further down steel. I don't think staples will hold and are not necessary.
I really don't think there will be an issue with the front edge lifting if the surface is prepped properly, IE cleaned and sanded, and a professional quality contact cement is used.

rgs944

Rob, I get the feeling that you may be thinking about making something up that would have your qaulity and would be a more economical option for top pod cracks. I hope so.

mnotz

I definitely like how that came out. That's something I'd like to show a friend of mine who owns an upholstery shop in town because even though the pod in my '80 is in really nice condition, it looks kind of odd that it is just a plain pod when the console and dash both have stitching. That would make it look more uniform I think!

Great idea!

martinss

I really like it. I've never liked the front faced wrapped in leather with a full recover - but that's probably just me.

Rob M Budd

You're right.
It'll be way easier and a lot less than a $550 leather or $450 vinyl re-wrap of the whole pod.