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Recovering the handbrake lever. Anyone done it and can share tips and sources?
A friend is preparing his car for sale and mentioned the need to replace the worn handbrake lever leather.
I would like new leather in the worn area on my lever as well. A search brought up one source, but the web page is not clear on the kit or the results.
Has anyone recovered the lever and can share tips and sources for the leather?
Hey, I've done it and had almost 100% OE result. I simply removed the old leather and used it as template to cut the exact shape out of new leather. I used Barge glue (the old stuff) to secure the new leather on the hand brake lever.
Hey, I've done it and had almost 100% OE result. I simply removed the old leather and used it as template to cut the exact shape out of new leather. I used Barge glue (the old stuff) to secure the new leather on the hand brake lever.
Exactly what I was looking for. It's impracticable to ship a handbrake to the US for fitting so I've ordered the kit. I'll report back when it's fitted.
Hi, Yes, stitched underneath and stuck on to the lever. Here's mine in detail. Cheers, Paul
Paul, I asked Lakewell why they don't have a kit. They replied that it's an intricate task fitting it which they think is beyond most people. Did you do this yourself?
My friend John at Heritage Classics did all my interior, below is a link to his web site where you can see some of my interior being made. John restores cars from many countries so I wouldn't have thought it would be a problem to him if you were to parcel the bits you need doing and send them to him. He also has a great supplier for beautiful auto quality leather at reasonable prices.
Hi John, My friend John at Heritage Classics did all my interior, below is a link to his web site where you can see some of my interior being made. John restores cars from many countries so I wouldn't have thought it would be a problem to him if you were to parcel the bits you need doing and send them to him. He also has a great supplier for beautiful auto quality leather at reasonable prices. Here's the link http://www.heritage-classics.com/trim-shop Cheers, Paul
Thanks Paul. That's beautiful work and if I was in the US that would be a front runner. However, I'm in New Zealand and there is a real tyranny of distance for those of us down in the Southern Hemisphere. I order everything on line and the postage cost is like another Tax. Add postage each way to the US and I could probably buy new more efficiently. It's one reason I'm so DIY focussed.
The handbrake leather arrived. Some aspects are clearly designed using experience e.g. the **** end leather is shaved to allow it to fit easily over the tight curve. However it doesn't look like the pic on the website. The leather is nowhere near the same grain as OE (granted mine is 26 years old and could be leatherette) but also the stitching on the join is quite coarse and unlikely to produce a satisfactory line. I'm going back to the supplier to see what can be done. I'm not going to fit it. It would drive me nuts if it wasn't close to OE look.
Update. The supplier came back with pics of actual installations. Neither is as neat on the joint as OE. They have advised that the join look is dependent on the installer. Given Lakewell told me they don't produce a kit because it's beyond most DIY installers I think this is a dead end. If I'm obsessed with a perfect handbrake then pony up USD 400 + for a OE one. To be honest I don't think it's worth it considering the original is not that bad. Sometimes it's better to stop and think rather than plow on.
John, ever look into refinishing the leather? I've heard good results on the Leatherique re-dye kits. I have their steering wheel kit to do on my Mercedes (have been too lazy to get started ). That would keep the original fitment and refresh the appearance, at least. I'd imagine some very fine sandpaper on a light wet sanding could soften the scuffs a bit.
03-02-2017, 06:04 PM
Recovering the handbrake lever. Anyone done it and can share tips and sources?
). That would keep the original fitment and refresh the appearance, at least. I'd imagine some very fine sandpaper on a light wet sanding could soften the scuffs a bit.