I just finished this custom job. I covered the speaker with PVC plastic, filled and feathered the edges. I also re-cut the defroster vent area for an aftermarket trim piece and added an embroidered Porsche crest in red.
A job like this runs $900

 

Very nice rob!

 

Howabout a 'lister discount?

 

nice, im not sure if you mentioned this or not, but what is the thing that you removed from the center of the dash? you can see it in V2Rocket's picture

 

It's a cover for a speaker; the original sound system was available in either mono (one speaker in the middle) or stereo (in the doors).

 

Now Rob, I have a question...
How do you get the leather/vinyl material to follow the shape of the dash? Do you have to prepare it at all or can you just take a sheet and sew it into place? Any scoring for folds required, etc? I'm a total newbie to upholstery and want to redo my dash but if its too complicated I'll have probably you do it

 

We patterned the dash cover to fit the contours of the dash. That's why there are several French seams.
Prepping the dash is what takes the time.
The defrost duct on the underside is removed.
The old vinyl and foam on the top is trimmed down to the cardboard to allow fitment of the new defroster trim.
The cardboard is cut to match the openings of the new trim piece.
A piece of flat PVC is cut, trimmed to fit the opening for the defrost vent trim. This gives it a solid base for anchoring.
Cracks are filled on the dash.
The filler is smoothed and feathered.
The whole dash is wiped with solvent to remove all the armorall or other waxes.
A layer of foam is added to the entire top and face of the dash.
The foam is trimmed and feather to meet the contours.
The switch openings and AC vent openings are enlarged about 1/8 inch. I use a dremel or exacto knife.
The leather cover is then trimmed and fitted.
The defrost vent is bolted down through the PVC and cardboard.
The defrost duct is replaced with new adhesive and then stapled in place.

Other work to be done is
Trim 1/8 inch off the perimeter of the cluster bezel to allow for the leather.
Glove box covering and adjustment.
The latch mounting on the glove box needs to trimmed to alllw for the leather cover.

It takes me about 10-16 hours to do one of these dashes.

 

that is just beautiful. i really like the updated dash, but that take the early dash right there with it.

 

So if I mailed you my dash and wanted it fixed up in brown leather it would run about $900 for labor?

 

It would be $850 for the same as above with the glove box lid but without the speaker delete or Porsche crest.

 

um, my car has the dash speaker and a speaker at the font bottom corner of each door. thought it was stock

 

Looks beautiful... but isn't there a structural mounting point where that speaker grill is?

Once I have the extra funds (suspension is coming first, then interior goodies) I'll be contacting you to do the same thing to my dash (minus the crest, though)

Do you also cover the glovebox door for that price?

Also, the early dash has a sort of 'upper' and 'lower' part with a groove separating them (you can see this in V2Rockets pics) and this lines up with the door panel... I can't tell from your pics of the recovered dash but does this remain?

Thanks!

 

porcho - While there is a very slight groove like you're talking about, it is highlighted in my picture because that is a plastic dashcap. It's really bugging me (it just popped up...again) and that's why I'm looking into a complete recover.

jts - is there actually a speaker in the middle or just the grille? It wouldn't be hard to install a third speaker in that space.

And yes, under where the speaker goes is one of the bolt-on points for the dash to the car.

 

Trust me on this gents, you will not be disappointed by both the quality of work and the quality of service you'll get from Rob.

Rob: Gorgeous!

 

better than porno. keep posting Rob!