quality01

I'm new to this site. I have a 1983 928 and would like to replace the dashboard and pod. My question is, were they leather covered? or just vinyl? My dashboard is leather and my pod is vinyl. I would also like to purchase a used pod and dashboard and have these sent out and have them recovered. Thanks in advance for the help.

karl ruiter

There is a galvanized sheet metal frame, covered with a hard foam, them a layer of hard vinyl or plastic of some sort. Some dashes have a leather covering over the vinyl. Best reputation for recover is this guy: http://www.classic9leathershop.com/

GT6ixer

They came in both vinyl and leather or a mix like you have. Leather dashes can get recovered (classic9leathershop is popular). Some folks have had varying levels of success repairing cracked vinyl pods, though your best bet may be trying to find a used one in good condition.

chart928s4

Mark Anderson at 928 International is a good source for used pods and dashes, and many other used (and some new) parts also.

Check the New Visitor stickie - it will answer a lot of questions for you. The key parts vendors are in there.

jeff spahn

Also as a data point. It has been discussed here that under the leather dashes lives a burgundy vinyl dash.

85fortheDrive

It has come across the forum wire recently that Rob Budd, owner of Classic 9, has retired or is retiring. His work with leather restoration is exceptional. I have also heard that, upon his retirement, the shop may be staying open under new leadership.

To be sure, a leather dash and pod represent the high-end solution. Nothing looks better or smells better! But if you live in a hot climate, keep in mind that leather will dry, age, and potentially crack after prolonged exposure to sunlight and heat. Such is why I purchased a vinyl molded dashboard cover on eBay and installed it myself. There is a pod cover that comes with that kit, but I cannot recommend it because it doesn’t sufficiently allow for space around the switch dials. The entire kit was about $200.

If you decide to take the dashboard out, it will provide you with a wonderful opportunity to look at the HVAC system and investigate any problems within the instrument cluster. Good luck!

Regularstormy

Does anyone have a picture of the stripped dash? Wondering what the steel frame shape is and how much foam there is

NoVector

For the OP (Quality01), since it sounds like you want to purchase used and have them recovered while you leave your original in the car, as Chart928s4 said, contact 928 International. HOWEVER, if you can wait 'til Thanksgiving, they usually* have a 1/2-price sale 'til Christmas on their used stuff. In addition to Classic 9, I noticed the other day that Car Bone also does Porsche dash restorations. Although shipping to Poland may make it cost prohibitive. https://car-bone.pl/dashboard-restoration/



* - "usually", meaning they've had it every year for at least the past 5 years, probably a lot longer than that. Up to Mark whether he does it this year, but God I hope he does

captainOCD

I just got a new dash cover (vinyl instead of leather for durability) for classic9. Originally I dealt with Robert, but also dealt with Andrew who's taking over the business. No complaints about dealing with either of them.

mkhargrove

depending on how handy you are, you might be able to order pre-sewn covers and glue them down.

i did mine.

grind down the edges that are peeling up with an angle grinder (as well as any lifted areas around cracks). for the dash this probably mean the back edge and around the defroster vents.

fill in with body filler. grind/sand to proper shape.

spray with the premium interior adhesive from 3m (i forget the name...its on the shelf at many auto parts stores)

lay down the leather cover.

peel it back up to get better alignment (inevitable). if there are any uneven edges in the area where you used filler, take extra 30 minutes to pull the cover back and get them right. you'll be glad you did.

if the dash is out, this is a 3 hour job.

Kongmiami

It takes a minimum of 3-4 hours just to prep(if done right) before laying down the leather. It’s hours and hours to get it right. The final finish is always a sign of the amount of time invested. That’s why a nice one is $1k+ minimum. As for buying the pre-stitched cover, that’s the easy part. The hard part is all the prep and instal techniques to get it looking factory nice in the end.

928Collector

Anyone have a solution to fixing about 7 inches of 1/2 inch high dashboard curl?
My initial thought is to cut thru the leather and dashboard curl.
Put in some sort of filler and sand till smooth.
then I'll probably go with a leather dashboard cap.

Any data points much appreciated as i've tried to soak/soften the curl and flatten unsuccessfully.

928Collector

Any advice on "spot treating" dashboard curl?
The entirety of the curl feels not easily bent
The foam(blue line) seems like it could be chipped away at and removed with some moderate effort.
The leather(red line) apparently can be softened and stretched but after 40 years of shrinkage probably close but not all the way back to the air vent.

What is the dashboard made of PolyPropylene? PolyUrethane? Are there softeners out there?

As a first attempt, would removing the windshield and old/bent foam, building up the treated area with bondo and just reglueing softened stretched old leather be a better fix than removing the dashboard/air vents and replacing the leather?

Rob Edwards

Don't remove the windshield, take the dash out. You can't do a proper re-cover of a dashboard in situ, not a chance.