ideas (with pics please) for recovering S3 dash

[Longers]

Although I haven't officially taken ownership of my latest S yet I've paid for it, it has been delivered to Mr Plow and Mr Plow has already started taking the dash apart. Why? Because to me the slightly worn original "painted to look like wood but looks nothing like wood" dash really let's the car down.

Seeing as I will spend a lot of time looking at the dash and to make it feel more like mine rather than "his" or "his" I will be getting the dash recovered.

Options:
1. Wood veneer. I know this can look great but I don't think I'm a fan of wood trim in cars (unless it's a Morgan!) and I understand that to do it well it can be expensive.
2. Paint it to match the exterior. I'm sure I've seen this on another S and it would remind me of one of my other fav cars, the Fiat Coupe.
3. Cover it in leather to match/contrast with rest of interior. As with the paint, I'm sure I've seen this on another S.
4. Aluminium.

Current preferences are 3 or 4. Anyone got an opinion on the above or other choices? Photos would obviously help

Cheers,
L'rs

[v8s4me]

Happy Christmas Longers

Longers said:

1. Wood veneer.... and I understand that to do it well it can be expensive.

Yes! Mine was over £400 - London Carriage Craft. it still looks good but I think there's a question mark over long term durability. Given your millage this might be a factor for you to consider.

Longers said:

3. Cover it in leather to match/contrast with rest of interior.

I think Phillpot has done this and it looks good.

How about carbon fibre or brushed stainless?

Edited by v8s4me on Tuesday 24th December 20:14

[Longers]

Hi Joe

Thanks for the comments. I think PompeyTim got his done at London Carriage Craft as well. Looks lovely quality, quite a bit lighter than yours I think. Longevity is a good point...

Thought about carbon (a lot) and although I like the idea (especially with the chrome dial surrounds) I had discounted it as it might be a bit too modern for an S. Could look the dogs danglies though

Phillpot... leather dash...? I hadn't noticed that in all of the miles we've done together!
Mike where are you when I need you?!!


And Happy Xmas to you and yours as well

[barclayboy]

Longers, I was about to say have you thought about carbon, but clearly you have.
No pics but I have a mate with a VW van with a carbon dash and it looks the dogs nuts!
If I keep my S I have to spend some cash on the interior so keep us all in the loop.
Good luck with your latest S
All the best Gary

[Mr Plow]

barclayboy said:

If I keep my S

? ? ? ? ?

[Mr Plow]

Hi All

When making suggestions, please bear in mind the poor soul that has to fit it all.

Happy Christmas merry S owners

Best Wishes

Liam

[v8s4me]

Longers said:

Thought about carbon (a lot) and although I like the idea (especially with the chrome dial surrounds) I had discounted it as it might be a bit too modern for an S.

I saw a wedge with carbon trim during the summer and it looked very tasteful.

Mr Plow said:

.......please bear in mind the poor soul that has to fit it all. ........

Stop whinging and get on with it

[mep12345]

Joe,

The alloy dial surrounds - where did these come from, did you get them from a supplier or are they leebee's custom ones from on here.

Mark

[Scoobimax]

Not a huge fan of wood veneer myself (each to their own).

Mine is covered in black leather around the heater controls / speedo dials area and I painted the switch plate area in the same colour as the dash top/seat piping to match in - I also did the door trim strips in same colour to remove the (chipped) painted veneer effect too.

I'll try and dig out some pics in due course.

Found a couple on my iPad - not the best or specifically of the dash.

Edited by Scoobimax on Tuesday 24th December 18:33

[Niiige]

Mine has been painted the same colour as the bodywork. I wasn't sure at first - but now I think that it's a nice compromise. It looks both contemporary and yet doesn't ruin the overall classic appeal of the interior.

You could make a card template, paint it, put in place and see what you think.

[phillpot]

Longers said:

Mike where are you when I need you?!!

Panic not, I'm here

Dash (and whole interior) was black when I bought the car, "Ambla" I think TVR called it, posh name for vinyl !


Dash recovered in grey to match some door cards and leather seats I swapped for a set of those horrible 5 spoke wheels




Got rid of the little "smoked glass" warnings lights thingy, because it was peeling and chipped, while I was at it.



Cost a bit less than 400 smackers

[mk1fan]

I'd like to see a carbon one. The water transfer method is very effective and pretty cheap. It is what I'd do if I get an S3C.

[v8s4me]

Happy Chtristmas mark

mep12345 said:

The alloy dial surrounds - where did these come from?

I got them from TVR Car Parts, as was, so maybe worth giving Neil (M&L Performance) a call in the New Year.

[mep12345]

Thanks Joe

[Marc C]

phillpot said:

Dash recovered in grey to match some door cards and leather seats I swapped for a set of those horrible 5 spoke wheels

They will be the seats out of my car... can I have them back please as I don't think the xjs seats are gonna work, I reckon I'll be to high up. And the wheels are very nice not currently attached to the car, but still very nice

As for the dash question, well the dash in mine is painted and it's ok, given a choice I think contrasting leather is the way to go, carbon is too modern

[phillpot]

Marc C said:

They will be the seats out of my car... can I have them back please

Nope, but can do you a nice pair of black vinyl seats!

[Sandgrounder]

I had the same painted wood effect in my S3 up until September. Hated it.
So after a lot of stress removing the dash plate, I have tried the fake wood veneer (sticky back plastic). As I now know how flexible the dash plate is, I would hate to pay for real veneer then attempt to install it myself!!

Anyway, looks 100 % better than it was, but I regard it as a temporary improvement and may well try navy leather next time as my interior is Navy and tan.

Sorry, can't do photos!

Graham

[Longers]

Good grief, what a response. Obviously not much else to do on Xmas Eve

Sandgrounder said:

So after a lot of stress removing the dash plate...

Don't tell Liam that!!

Mike, really liking the leather. Looks like it's actually part of the car rather than being an add on and it also wraps around the panel and creates a nice finished edge. Not that I've discounted the aluminium/steel just yet Where did you get it done?

Scoobimax said:

Shame that bloke stood in the way and spoiled the view

[Marc C]

phillpot said:

Nope, but can do you a nice pair of black vinyl seats!

Hummmm, I wonder how much a re-trim in leather would cost

Here's a piccy of a painted dash for the OP


The wiring is an optional extra of course, but it does give you something to get your feet tangled up in

[v8s4me]

Marc C said:

.....I wonder how much a re-trim in leather would cost

Think of a figure and double it!