Stretching dash leather
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malcolm
- Regular Poster
- Posts: 185
- Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2006 11:48
- Model: se
- Colour: essex blue
- Year: 1986
- Location: maidstone kent
Stretching dash leather
On a leather dash top its come unglued and shrunk back in the sunlight. Is it possible to stretch the leather back. Do I need to soften it first before stretching and gluing. Or is it new leather time.
1986 Excel SE Essex Blue.
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chrisw2811
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 1806
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 18:37
- Model: Excel SE
- Colour: Calypso Red
- Year: 1986
- Location: Wellow, Hampshire
Re: Stretching dash leather
I haven't had to repair the dashboard leather, but regular application of Gliptone leather treatment has made the previously dry and brittle leather of my seats and trim (including dashboard) much more flexible and resilient, so using a leather treatment or renovator should be worth a try.
1986 Excel SE, 1985 FJ1100, 2012 Passat TDI Estate, 2012 Golf TSi, 2010 Mini R56, 1985 Yamaha Salient 1964 Raleigh Runabout 1960 Motobecane 1979 Honda NC50 , '02 Montesa 315R
Well, if I was right all the time I'd get to be predictable!
Well, if I was right all the time I'd get to be predictable!
Re: Stretching dash leather
Yep Gliptone leather conditioner, small amounts over time will soften the leather and make it pliable again.
Don't be tempted to dump a load on though, one of my seats suffered a bit when I did this, ans it disrupts the dye, (reciprocity failure!!!).
Because my SE had been sitting in a field for three years, the dash leather had shrunk so much that it had pulled the fibreglass that butted up against the windscreen up at an angle.
I seperated the dashboard shell, from the leather, cut the curved bit, and GRP'd a flat bit in.
softened the leather as above, bit of thin foam under, then glued the leather back.
Simples !
Don't be tempted to dump a load on though, one of my seats suffered a bit when I did this, ans it disrupts the dye, (reciprocity failure!!!).
Because my SE had been sitting in a field for three years, the dash leather had shrunk so much that it had pulled the fibreglass that butted up against the windscreen up at an angle.
I seperated the dashboard shell, from the leather, cut the curved bit, and GRP'd a flat bit in.
softened the leather as above, bit of thin foam under, then glued the leather back.
Simples !
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jpm6591
- Junior Poster
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:32
- Model: Lotus Excel
- Colour: Green
- Year: 1984
- Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts
Re: Stretching dash leather
Hi,
I have the same problem.
Can the strip be removed, with windscreen in situ.
How is strip secured?
Ta
Jim
I have the same problem.
Can the strip be removed, with windscreen in situ.
How is strip secured?
Ta
Jim
Re: Stretching dash leather
I think, it's just glued in, but cannot quite remember.
It can be removed with the windscreen in situ, but it tucks under the back of the dashboard, which isn't the easiest job in the world, but not impossible.
Note. If you do take the dashboard out fix a peice of 2X1 wood along the bottom edge and screw through existing holes, otherwise it's a bit floppy to move/store.
Terry
It can be removed with the windscreen in situ, but it tucks under the back of the dashboard, which isn't the easiest job in the world, but not impossible.
Note. If you do take the dashboard out fix a peice of 2X1 wood along the bottom edge and screw through existing holes, otherwise it's a bit floppy to move/store.
Terry