vanster

I just purchased a half way decent dash with the intent of recovering it.
Wondering now if vinyl is a better option than leather. The question is, which one last longer and the next question is what is longer? Granted the factory leather dashes cracked and pealed back in short notice but with care and I would assume todays better materials ( not the cows) but adhesives is leather a viable option?
I checked with a local upholstery shop and of course they have all the answers, thought that the best option was to just paint the dash, (tacky in my opinion) because leather would not last long and vinyl is not much better.
My current dash is black leather or once was. Budd has very nice kits that don't look that difficult to do.

danglerb

When new my 81 with a leather dash and not that rigorous of treating, was starting to pull up around the windshield vents after 6 years in California. My 83 with vinyl dash and I suspect considerably more care in placing a shade in the windows just recently had its first tiny crack appear between two of the vent slots.

Assuming I have learned something since then, and regularly conditioned the leather and kept a sun shield up when it was parked, I would expect the leather to last much longer. Also I think the design and stitching of replacement leather might better anticipate shrinking around the vents.

I can't say I am entirely satisfied with any vinyl repair.

My own plan, Alcantara.

ROG100

Here in the TX heat I have gone with Vinyl but included french seams so it has the same look as a leather.
Less maitainance for vinyl and I think it will outlast the leather.

Five-8

FWIW...I've been in the upholstery business for almost 20 years (residential not automotive) but IMO leather which is regularly conditioned, will outlast vinyl by a significant period of time.
Find an old school leather conditioner( not some new-fangled multi-purpose conditioner ) be **** about treating the leather on a regular basis and it will stand up far better than vinyl (even purpose made marine or automotive vinyls)
Vinyls are a petroleum based product and will not respond to conditioners...time will always make it brittle eventually, no matter what the environment.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Cheers

Adrian

ROG100

Less maitainance means more to me than how long it will last.
Fairly cheap and easy to change a dash after 20 years - expecting myself, wife and daughters to maintain the leather not realistic.

Cole

Right. Taking notes......"don't buy a car from this guy"

martinss

After some debate I went with vinyl using a kit from Robert Budd - pic here: https://rennlist.com/forums/8643533-post1242.html

As you know, all of the dashes were 'vinyl', as in a molded vinyl casing over a foam and metal core. When applied, leather was put over the vinyl dash. The main issue was shrinkage of the leather. This could not have been prevented by better glues since the leather remained stuck to the underlying vinyl and simply distorted it in most cases. When I repaired my rear quarter panels I found about an inch of leather shrinkage. I don't believe there was any issue with the stitching.

On the issue of wear, you can't compare the suitability of leather vs. vinyl on a seat that obviously takes all of the wear of someone sitting in it, to a vinyl cover on the dash that is very seldom abraded or distorted by pressure. For a dash it is about survival under extreme heat and light conditions.

Also, the stock vinyl dash was a molding, not a fabric backed vinyl cover. As with Roger, I went with a french-seamed vinyl cover. It is also worth noting that Robert provides foam underlayment that is first adhered to the old dash. It will tend to separate the dash from the vinyl cover and allow some independent movement.

I did the recover myself and have a number of pics if you are interested.

Five-8

You are absolutely right roger...vinyl is virtually maintenance free.The question was...which WILL last longer.To me Vinyl is a poor substitute for leather on all counts...but that doesnt mean vinyl wouldnt be the best choice for some folks.

oh and BTW Rog...where is my y pipe and the other stuff i asked about LOL!!!

Cheers

Adrian

S4ordie

Can someone post some pics of their vinyl covered dash with french seams. In the extreme very dry heat here in AZ (often < 5% humidity) I think vinyl will last longer. I treat the seats on my Zyclamrot car monthly and they still seem to dry out.

Pics please of the vinyl with French seams. Sounds nice

Bill Ball

I don't think either vinyl or leather will survive well with AZ (or TX or CA) sun exposure, but either will do well if you use something like Nicole's essentially 100% occlusive sunshades anytime the car is parked outside. My interior is proof of that.

Speedtoys

If you wanna invest in it, the 3M 10% "tint" (invisible to the eye) is 100% UV and close to 90% IR blocking IIRC.

If I ever need a new front window..I'll probly do that.

S4ordie

In my case it's not the sun exposure (full clear 100% UV filter tint on all glass to include windshield) it's the high inside temps and very low humidity.

Chuck Schreiber

Cowboy,

Are you daily driving the Zyclo Car?
If so, Not sure if anything is going to help other than covered parking in AZ.

If still using as a weekend driver, you're probably ok w a sunshield and crack the sunroof and the windows.

Bill Ball

100% UV block may prevent you from getting a sunburn but it does not block heat all that well from IR and visible light. Unless your tint is completely opaque and reflective, the occlusive sunshades will still help a lot keep the heat down. Also, it helps to crack the sunroof and one window slightly so trapped heat can escape. So, with complete window occlusion and some ventilation the interior temp will rise very little over ambient and even on a 120F day, the interior will be able to tolerate it.

S4ordie

I guess I'm not being clear. I do not drive my car daily. If and when it has to sit in the sun the cover goes on. Mos of its life is in the garage which gets very hot as the metal uninsulated door faces SW. I've measured 131f / 55c in the late afternoon in the garage. This heat combined with very very low humidity is what my questions are in reference to. What is best in this environment? Leather,or ,vinyl? Hostile to both I know but which one will hold up better? Assume monthly conditioning during the summer.

Still looking for pics of the vinyl dash with French seams.