Taking the leather off the interior to redye, Please advise!
Discussion
Hi guys - in the process of taking all the leather off the car to redye in black and dark red. Then redoing the flocking in alacantara - same colour scheme (except light grey roof as I think a dark roof lining feels opressive (hence why I like open topped cars!).
Any links to useful guides, your experience of disassembling interior parts etc. very gratefully received! So far I've managed to take the leather off from around the steering wheel/rev lights and the leather seats but that's it.
I'm really enjoying getting to know the car and it's wonderful to be able to have the confidence to have a go even though I don't have much experience with cars because of helpful fellow tvr owners such as yourselves.
Thank you!
Darren
Any links to useful guides, your experience of disassembling interior parts etc. very gratefully received! So far I've managed to take the leather off from around the steering wheel/rev lights and the leather seats but that's it.
I'm really enjoying getting to know the car and it's wonderful to be able to have the confidence to have a go even though I don't have much experience with cars because of helpful fellow tvr owners such as yourselves.
Thank you!
Darren
Remove the transmission tunnel cover by unscrewing to two screws at the front on either side, then remove the rear air vent and remove the screw underneath it.
To remove the radio pod, remove the radio and the control boxes underneath it that were uncovered by the tunnel cover. There is a threaded bar that goes through the radio pod and lower dash shelf, this needs undoing to remove the radio pod.
The lower dash is the most awkward, it was originally fitted before the steering column therefore a small bit of fibreglass that loops around the steering column need to be cut away withy a hacksaw. Undo the screws on either side and it should come out. It is a tight fit though.
The upper dash has one or two bolts at both ends (can't remember exactly), access them from directly underneath the dash. It also has the pipes coming through the bulkhead from the heater. When I removed mine I had the remove the black cold air module that is in the engine bay in order to remove to pipe as it was really tight.
That is all I can remember of the top of my head but if you have any specific problems give me a shout and I might be able to help.
Rich
To remove the radio pod, remove the radio and the control boxes underneath it that were uncovered by the tunnel cover. There is a threaded bar that goes through the radio pod and lower dash shelf, this needs undoing to remove the radio pod.
The lower dash is the most awkward, it was originally fitted before the steering column therefore a small bit of fibreglass that loops around the steering column need to be cut away withy a hacksaw. Undo the screws on either side and it should come out. It is a tight fit though.
The upper dash has one or two bolts at both ends (can't remember exactly), access them from directly underneath the dash. It also has the pipes coming through the bulkhead from the heater. When I removed mine I had the remove the black cold air module that is in the engine bay in order to remove to pipe as it was really tight.
That is all I can remember of the top of my head but if you have any specific problems give me a shout and I might be able to help.
Rich
Dischordant said:
yep I think so - will have a go yanking it off...+ the columns leading up to the roof on either side of the windscreen - anyone know if they are stuck on?
I think I might velcro in the carpet instead of using adhesive..is there any downside to doing it this way?
The trim was fitted before the glass, same as the side pieces at the back.I think I might velcro in the carpet instead of using adhesive..is there any downside to doing it this way?
I have the radio and centre console off + handbrake gaiter - however the gear knob will not budge =/ Ordering this to try to do the job: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00096JDK8/ref=...
Edited by Dischordant on Sunday 4th May 19:16
Mostly just a boring black I'm afraid - but it contrasts so nicely with the silver in the dash/head unit etc. and matches the colour scheme of the car overall.
The odd parts I'm doing dark red - was planning seat square, gaiters, bottom leather part of the dash, door leather.
Then going to get some alcantara to go over areas with flocking - again sticking with the black or red theme, apart from the roof which I'm doing a light grey to mimic the silver - I just find any dark colour above makes the car feel less spacious.
New carpets waiting to be fitted are black with dark red.
I'm also redoing the audio system but haven't decided on speaker positions yet.
The odd parts I'm doing dark red - was planning seat square, gaiters, bottom leather part of the dash, door leather.
Then going to get some alcantara to go over areas with flocking - again sticking with the black or red theme, apart from the roof which I'm doing a light grey to mimic the silver - I just find any dark colour above makes the car feel less spacious.
New carpets waiting to be fitted are black with dark red.
I'm also redoing the audio system but haven't decided on speaker positions yet.
I'm struggling to get to the two bolts to remove the top section of the dash - are they the ones positioned pointing outwards on either side of the car? They are tucked right up above the shelf and seem to be allen bolts from the impression on my finger! Unfortunately the only allen key large enough to fit them is to chunky to then rotate in that area.
Am I doing it in the wrong order or is there something I'm missing?!
Cheers!
Am I doing it in the wrong order or is there something I'm missing?!
Cheers!
nm - figured out removing of the top dash thanks to this guide here (before I was trying to remove the bottom bolts - I think two on either side - I'm hoping this will enable me to remove the bottom section http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=5&a...
Now to try to take the bottom part off!
Some photos so far:
Now to try to take the bottom part off!
Some photos so far:
Edited by Dischordant on Tuesday 6th May 19:52
Edited by Dischordant on Tuesday 6th May 19:52
Wow - ok this part seems particularly difficult - again I may be going about this wrong! I've started removing the bolts that attach the horizontal shiney metal section just above the bottom dashboard - there seems to be like 20 nuts! Is this correct before I continue to remove them all? I still can't manage to undo the 2 large allen bolts at the ends pointing outwards - I just don't have room to put pressure on an allen key of sufficient size in such a small space. =/
Advice welcomed! =)
Advice welcomed! =)
Thanks Rich, hope I can do a decent job of it! I'm picking up some crappy sheets tomorrow from Primark to then tape up all the interior so I can dye the parts that can't be removed.
Just noticed that 4 of my rear indicator bulbs have gone on the back left indicator - anyone know where I can buy replacements from?
There was a bit of plastic in the air vent that I think was meant to be attached to the interior bit of hose - upon trying to get it out it's fallen inside instead into the front of the car. Is it a simple enough job to retrieve the once the main bonnet is off?
Just noticed that 4 of my rear indicator bulbs have gone on the back left indicator - anyone know where I can buy replacements from?
There was a bit of plastic in the air vent that I think was meant to be attached to the interior bit of hose - upon trying to get it out it's fallen inside instead into the front of the car. Is it a simple enough job to retrieve the once the main bonnet is off?
Looking good, what carpet are you using to replace it. I did mine a while ago with a bit of a write up here if it helps. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=900...
Yep threads like yours were ones that inspired me to give it a go myself - save some money and get to know the car better. As I needed to do the leather too it was a no brainer to have a go - worse case scenario I cock it up and pay someone else to do it. Carpet was bought through Lakewell.com - They've seemed good so far!
Any ideas on the air vent plastic piece retrieval? Possibility of any damage caused by it rattling around inside? I'd have had a look already but it's not that easy taking the bonnet off solo!
Any ideas on the air vent plastic piece retrieval? Possibility of any damage caused by it rattling around inside? I'd have had a look already but it's not that easy taking the bonnet off solo!
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