Vantage - how to remove trim panels

[johnnyBv8]

In a fit of OCD I've bought a replacement leather panel to replace the one that runs across the back of the car behind the seats, as it had an inch-long scuff which annoyed me (see thumbnail!). Has anyone removed the interior panels...I realise I'll need to remove the aluminum strut pieces which must be bolted in at the top beneath the roof trim. Does the alacantra roof panel just pull off? I'll also need to remove the panel with the rear speakers in it.

Would normally just investigate and work it out as I go along, but on the Vantage would rather know for certain before I start prizing!

[johnnyBv8]

That's brilliant - thanks!

[johnnyBv8]

Gibberish said:

That scuff must have been much worse than it looks in the picture, did you consider an automotive leather restorer before going down the replacement route?

To be honest it's probably not as bad as it looks in the picture! It was just that I got a used one for a good price (less than getting it re-covered). Will stick my old one up on eBay too, to offset the cost of its replacement.

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Thursday 19th July 11:00

[johnnyBv8]

Gibberish said:

If thats the case, a recover wouldnt have been necessary. It may well have disappeared, with just the usual smooth and re-dye treatment.

But I fully understand you wanting it mint; just looks a faff changing the panels.

If you had ordered a trim panel from Aston Martin, I believe they would have looked back to your build spec and matched the leather grain and colour/grade exactly (all at a price!), so youve been lucky to find an exact match.

To be fair, I haven't seen the replacement yet - so if the grain looks different I may yet end up going to see if I can get mine fixed and just resell the one I've bought.

It's actually not quite as it looks in that picture - it's still black but the scuff is raised...made up of lots of little cuts (hard to describe!), so it catches the light whenever I turn round to reverse.

Edited to add: slightly dubious as to whether AM would really do anything other than match colour as unless a pressed 'pattern' then the grain varies from hide to hide and according to where on the hide the piece comes from - and can't easily be categorised. Without saying too much, I do have some very relevant previous employment history in this area! I also have the build spec for my car and it only states 'obsidian black' for each of the component groups, with no further detail. We shall see though....

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Thursday 19th July 12:16

[johnnyBv8]

X7LDA said:

Sorry but don't think that's true. Have never been asked grain or grade, just the colour.

And i'm sure everyone understands that unless the rest of the leather is brand new then the piece you receive will always be a slightly different colour anyway as it's had zero sun exposure.

I agree.....though you seem to have sort of quoted me saying what Gibberish said!

However, if I were cynical I would say that you may well be able to pay for a grain, grade and colour matching service from AM as Gibberish says, even though what you really receive is a basic colour match!

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Thursday 19th July 13:51