Hi

I have an '81 928 with just over 30,000 orig miles. Recently the leather dash on the bottom edge around the passenger air/defrost vent has began to warp just a little. Is there any fixes for this?

Kerry

 

There are a couple of leather experts on the forum. Champagne and Budd I believe? Maybe you should show them a picture of your problem area, I'm sure they would have an answer!

 

Here's a photo - you can see the dash pulling away from the bottem edge of the vent.

any ideas?

Kerry

 

Leather shrinkage, unfortunately it seems to be inevitable.

I can only suggest using Leatherique rejuvenator oil regularly to minimize it.

 

I may be able to offer a solution. It's not ideal, but short of replacing the leather, very little can be done to make the problem area disappear.

What I do is make a set of leather covers for the plastic vent trims. They would be made in the same color as the dash of course, and extend over the problem area. They are glued to the plastic and have seamed borders for a nice custom look.



Paul

 

I can vouch for Paul Champage's work, to be sure. And if the leather is pulling away, it's not going to improve with oils or cleansers.

Good luck,

Tim

 

I would treat the leather and not attempt to manipulate it, because it very likely may tear. Oil it as suggested with Rejuvenator Oil, and massage it a week later. Do no more than that. If you like Paul's solution, then that would be an option, but still, do not try to stretch your leather.

 

Best preventive is to keep the dash out of direct heat as much as possible. Mine is an 83 full leather, and so far the dash is, IMHO, in the high 90% area for condition. Also being white, any flaws would be very obvious.
I am very careful to cover the dash with a reflector thing when its out in the light, and give it some treatment regularly - Meguiars Gold Class until recently, lately Lexol. I tried some Megiuars leather wipe tissues recently, (convenient to carry and use), but they made the seat as slippery as an ice rink, it was almost undriveable.
jp 83 Euro S AT 52k