Clark's Garage Message Board

[Cocacolakidd]

Hello all,

There is a slick trick out there to solve the expensive dash repair problem.

In the past I have recovered three dashes with genuine leather and it looked beautiful and factory installed. What I would do is to buy one of those hard plastic (ABS) dash cover overlays (Usually from eBay for $60 to $75 each) then I would order from Tandy Leather an appropriate size of Lamb Skin Leather as it is very stretchable, pliable and soft to work with. I would then apply the leather to the dash overlay with silicone for ease of working, clamping the edges as I went. Make sure that the overlay is trimmed to fit the dash before installing the leather to it. According to the size of the leather, or leather pieces I would sometimes need to sew the leather together (On a normal household sewing machine). The lamb skin is the only leather I have found that is pliable enough to go on the compound curves and easily stretch where needed for a professional look. The dashes then look like factory and feel like a genuine leather dash - well they are.

Have pfunn, Ed.

[Dean924s]

Do you have Pix? I can host them and post if you dont have the ability. I would like to see your handy work.

[Cocacolakidd]

Hello Dean,

No I do not have any past pictures. The first I did was back in 1990 on a 1983 944, and then I did two for friends in 2002, these were 944's. To have some good pics would be nice. Maybe when the weather starts to warm I will take on a project and have many pics of the procedure. I could also record prices so one could guestimate what their project may cost. Maybe also along with a better write up as it goes step by step.

I am still thinking that it is the easiest way to get a great dash that looks great and feels great and not near the cost of recovering a full dash. Plus with a little skill working with the leather any one can do it in a garage or dinning table.

I will keep in contact with this...

Thanks for the reply - Ed.