herman maire

pulled the dash out of my 1980 project, it was really pretty difficult if anybody is wondering. I just removed the old leather cover because it had shrunk pretty bad.

A few questions-

1-Is it fairly straight forward to install a leather dash cover?

2- who sells these and whats a fair price to pay?

3- is it better to go with a vinyl? less chance of shrinking

anybody have a black cover they want to sell if they decided not to do this project?

Any other advise appreciated.

thanks

herman maire

I just found rennlister Rob, from http://www.classic9leathershop.com/D...el_Covers.html
pretty impressive stuff.

Still wondering if vinyl is a safer bet.....

syoo8

Robert Budd did my leather dash. His dashes are unique insofar as he adds a foam underlayment under the leather, which apparently helps prevent leather from pulling from the dash in the future. I also like the "puffy" look. (I've seen some leather dashes where you can see cracks underneath the leather dash cover.)

He is also a really nice guy and he did my job absolutely on time. (This has been a problem in reupholstery projects for me in the past.)

I don't think it is as easy as it looks, but I am not particularly adept at those types of things. I think the tricky part is getting the plastic defroster vents to fit. I think Bob charges $250 or so to install the cover (and repair any dash cracks.) Since the leather cover is over $300 I didn't want to take a chance on ruining it. OTOH I know other Rennlisters have done it themselves with great success.

GlenL

I installed my own and it wasn't hard to do but it's difficult to get right. If I was to do it again I'd send in the dash for someone else to cover. Mr. Budd would be my first choice for that. The leather cover I got from him looks great, but I can see the flaws of my installation.

herman maire

thank you for the reply's... I appreciate it.

I am still wondering about the finish product of the vinyl dash cover VS leather. Also wondering if the vinyl will stand up to the sun better.

thanks again

Rob M Budd

Thanks Scott, GlennL for the kind words.

Vinyl will hold up to sunlight better. I use the same seam pattern on the vinyl as I do with leather, so the appearance is the same.
If it's a daily driver and gets parked in the sun a lot, I'd go with vinyl.
For a garage queen, or if one is uses a sunshade, parks it inside, etc, I'd go with leather.

herman maire

Rob,

If I put my order in some time today - dash cover , glove box cover , pod cover ect... how long will it take to ship? I have my dash out now and I am in somewhat of a rush to get it back together. I would be ordering just the kits since shipping from canada would be to expensive.

Another crazy question, does the leather covers give a nice smell when inside the cabin VS vinyl?

Also, what glue do you recommend? I have used 3M super weather stripping glue ( the yellow stuff that comes in a tube) and it works Ok . Thats about the only glue that I have had any luck with but it still leaves a lot to be desired as far as adhesives go.

Thanks again.

syoo8

The leather covers smell fantastic. When I first entered my car after installation of new pod, dash, glove box, center console and A-pillars, it smelled like a new car.

I don't know about vinyl.

Rod Underwood

I did my own on the 82 and have had Rob do the others. It's just simplier and you get a better job than most can do themselves. He "might" also help fix other things while he's in there is he has time.

Rod

Rob M Budd

It will take about a week to 10 days to make and ship the covers.

Yes. The leather has a pleasing aroma to it.

I recommend this adhesive DAP WELDWOOD HHR Solvent Type Spray Grade Contact Cement

herman maire

thank you everybody and Rob for your replys.

I will put my order in today.