SteveCo

I have been collecting pictures of leather pods for awhile now with a plan to cover my pod in the same manner when I turned to addressing my dash and console. I have a standard pod right now with the obligitory crack running down through the middle. Pod is otherwise perfect.

I have a friend who is a master leathersmith who can do the pod covering for me, but I was hoping to assist him by finding someone who has gone through this process and may have some tips, photos or even a pattern for the work. I don't have a complete set of detailed phtos of a leather pod, so I am looking for a few of these if nothing else.

Anyone care to share their experience? I know the leather has to be thin and that the switch holes will be a tight fit, but what else needs to be considered? What prep should be done to the existing pod surface for attaching the leather...just clean it? Sand rough? Remove the vinyl?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Regards,
SteveCo

bcdavis

I was wondering if there wouldn't be a simple way to remove some material from the light switch holes, so the fit is not so tight...

rixter

here's some pics of a leather pod that Roger now has for his weissach, he may be able to post in more detail.. it's a recover

SteveCo

Excellent!

I assume this is a factory unit (the Weissach edition included a leather pod did it not?)...or is this a custom job?

Regards,
SteveCo in St. John's

docmirror

The above pod ws done by our vinyl guy in NE Ft Worth Tx. He's a good guy, and did my interior with only a few minor issues. Generally very good work. I don't know the exact cost, but it's not cheap. Apparently there's a lot of man hours involved in getting the switch holes lined up and smooth. The stitching around the inst bezel, and the top is called 'Frenched lip', and is also kind of hard to do. It's impossible to do the switch holes in Frenched lip, unless maybe a master leathersmith can do it all by hand.

Doc,

Signature-less, 90GT in resto

heinrich

Don't cut the holes. Under that hard plastic is mushy crappy foam. My pod was factory Porsche brand new 3 years ago. Nothing was cut on that, the leather was "skived" thin. You will definitely have problems working the leather long enough to fit all the way down the holes..... and it should.

SteveCo

Thanks, guys. This is the kind of info I'm looking for. I know I need to do a lot of research before even attempting this.

Keep the comments and pictures coming!

Regards,
SteveCo in St. John's

ROG100

Here are pics of my GTS pod.
Bought from 928 Int with the leather work being done by "Just Dashes" ( I think).
Great job - only problem being the extra leather in the switch holes reducing the overall diameter so that the switches are a very tight fit.
Cost $650 IIRC

Champagne

Hey Steve,

I just want to point out that there is a possibility to change the original design a bit and come up with something original.

Here is a picture of the pod I'm working on. The face is burlwood and the leather is African Ostrich.

I will post a separate topic with more pictures and details soon.



The idea is that the same concept can be adapted to feature brushed metal, carbon fiber and other types of leather. The possibilities outside the original design are endless.

Paul

SteveCo

Rog100;
That very close to what I am planning...mine is black as well. Awesome pod and great pictures. Interesting how this one is a little different from of weissach factory one in the way the leather is joined around the instrument cluster section and the part above the steering column. Excellent example and work all the same.

Champagne;
That's a wild design...far more ambitious then my plans. Can't wait to see more pics and info from your efforts.

Regards,
SteveCo in St. John's

ROG100

The Weissach did not come with a leather pod as far as I am aware.
The one I got from Rixster was an aftermarket leather cover, by whom I dont know.

There is a difference between the early pod design and the later design starting in 1990 IMMSMC.

The GTS leather covering is practically identical to a factory supplied pod.

Weissach

Rog100, can you confirm if it was made by just dashes? I've seen their work, and it's not very good. But man, if they did this pod, it looks factory!! I would gladly pay $650 for something like that.

Paul, man that's radical!! I like it!! Please post more pictures. I've done some pretty crazy 928 interiors, but you beat me....

heinrich

PAUL: WILD ... and very cool .. I have pics of a Gullwing Benz with full ostrich interior .... tres cool.
ROG: Very nice!!
Heinrich

Chuck Schreiber

Doc,

Hi-Tech did a pod? I'd like to see it.
I just had him fix mine (vinyl) but was thinking about doing the ultra-leather which most of the hot Rod guys do. Much cheaper than leather but looks pretty damn close!

John Struthers

What happened to the POD guy out in California?
I'll look for the link... it was still up a year ago but I could get no response from the folks as they were moving the operation -out of house to a facility-.
He even had a step by step, photo's, and dialog with mention of consumables and the process.
Pattycakes now has the atypical center crack (large) and two smaller cracks running parallel.
In other leather news: saddle soaped the seats then Mink oiled the hell out of em' the seats are supple again with minor hairline/spidering cracks on the seat bottoms but all else including bolster are 'A'-O.K.!
I am terrified of using any product on the dash fearing the dreaded lifting and bagging issues.
Paul it was worth the wait!
At least to those of us not involved in the work.