Quick bit of advice
Discussion
I'm hoping to buy my first Chim in the next day or so. I've got answers to most questions (thanks in part to this group) but have a few more...
1) The Chim I'm hoping to get has been well maintained, yet the seats are still cracked fairly badly (no rips) despite apparently being treated once/twice per year. What's the best way to refurb them, how easy and costly is it?
2) I've seen that changing the dash is quite fiddly. Roughly how much does a new dash cost (fitted vs materials only)?
3) There's a chance I'll need to store it outside some of the time. Not ideal and I know I should try to avoid it. If I have to, should I put a cover on or not? If yes, and recommendations?
Cheers and fingers crossed...
1) The Chim I'm hoping to get has been well maintained, yet the seats are still cracked fairly badly (no rips) despite apparently being treated once/twice per year. What's the best way to refurb them, how easy and costly is it?
2) I've seen that changing the dash is quite fiddly. Roughly how much does a new dash cost (fitted vs materials only)?
3) There's a chance I'll need to store it outside some of the time. Not ideal and I know I should try to avoid it. If I have to, should I put a cover on or not? If yes, and recommendations?
Cheers and fingers crossed...
Furniture clinic seems to be well regarded if you do it yourself, I haven’t done it myself yet but it seems that if you take your time and follow the instructions then the results look very good, search a bit more and you will see some great before and after photos.
I did my dash a few years ago, bought them from I think from TVR Mads I think it was, just over £200 for the walnut finish, others strip there’s down and do an assortment of stick on finished, no idea on labour cost, it takes several hours.
I did my dash a few years ago, bought them from I think from TVR Mads I think it was, just over £200 for the walnut finish, others strip there’s down and do an assortment of stick on finished, no idea on labour cost, it takes several hours.
Storing outdoors, i use a Leven top half cover on the Griff. Heavy, doesn't flap about and excellent quality. Only problem is I believe they are no longer available so it's a matter of keeping an eye on the classifieds.
Some good photo's on this old thread
I was quoted about £700 for a dash replacement when i was buying my chim recently.
My drivers seat is a bit scuffed and cracked, i am planning on having a go with the furniture clinic stuff, in fact i might drive over there later as they are only a few miles from me.
The half cover sounds like a good idea, mine leaked quite a bit when i had to keep it outside whilst sorting my garage out.
My drivers seat is a bit scuffed and cracked, i am planning on having a go with the furniture clinic stuff, in fact i might drive over there later as they are only a few miles from me.
The half cover sounds like a good idea, mine leaked quite a bit when i had to keep it outside whilst sorting my garage out.
phillpot said:
Storing outdoors, i use a Leven top half cover on the Griff. Heavy, doesn't flap about and excellent quality. Only problem is I believe they are no longer available so it's a matter of keeping an eye on the classifieds.
Some good photo's on this old thread
This is the only way to keep both the car dry and your soft top in good order. Some good photo's on this old thread
Sadly they are no longer available other than second hand.
I still see a small cottage industry opening here for someone good with a sowing machine,, any takers.
Classic Chim said:
I still see a small cottage industry opening here for someone good with a sewing machine,, any takers.
my sister is pretty handy with a sewing machine, would obviously need to find a supplier for suitable fabric etc. but any idea what they sold for when they were available?Stripping the dash is mostly about removing the dash top, a very challenging task first time around, mostly due to poor access to the drivers side nut. Once done though future removals can be very easy. I replaced the drivers side bolt & nut fixing with a locating bung, that way I no longer need to access that at all. The two nuts on the passenger side can be replaced with wing nuts for simple removal. My dash top can now be removed in a couple of minutes though the unfinished GRP still takes its toll on my hands
phillpot said:
my sister is pretty handy with a sewing machine, would obviously need to find a supplier for suitable fabric etc. but any idea what they sold for when they were available?
About 400 quid or there abouts. I have a brand new one never used if you need a sample. Material is quality so not cheap in small quantities i’d expect.
It does’nt look like the easiest thing to produce in 1/2 hr put it that way.
Really need someone to do these for all models if that’s possible.
I ruined a soft top and carpets not using one so what does that cost, infact I reckon my riggers got more rot from water coming from inside the car for years through chassis bolt holes than from outside. Months of damp at a time.
Edited by Classic Chim on Saturday 11th January 12:22
Edited by Classic Chim on Saturday 11th January 12:23
sawman said:
I was quoted about £700 for a dash replacement when i was buying my chim recently.
My drivers seat is a bit scuffed and cracked, i am planning on having a go with the furniture clinic stuff, in fact i might drive over there later as they are only a few miles from me.
The half cover sounds like a good idea, mine leaked quite a bit when i had to keep it outside whilst sorting my garage out.
You're getting duff advice. Dash is £240-£258 plus postage. Three/four hours labour to fit.My drivers seat is a bit scuffed and cracked, i am planning on having a go with the furniture clinic stuff, in fact i might drive over there later as they are only a few miles from me.
The half cover sounds like a good idea, mine leaked quite a bit when i had to keep it outside whilst sorting my garage out.
TVR-MADS said:
You're getting duff advice. Dash is £240-£258 plus postage. Three/four hours labour to fit.
You might be right, i was trying to get it chucked into my purchase deal, but had already scored sorting out of a few other issues , so didnt push it much. Figured i’d have a crack at it myself at some pointsawman said:
Someone who makes sails or boat covers would be ideal to make these, a normal domestic sewing machine would not cut it, they would also have access to decent materials and making things that are an odd shape
True. Trouble is any mention of boats and the price rises faster than TVR values fall
Plenty of options if you google. They are all one size and not really fitted.........but better than nothing.
The cover on the Audi looks about the right size.
https://www.classicadditions.com/en-GB/outdoor-car...
The cover on the Audi looks about the right size.
https://www.classicadditions.com/en-GB/outdoor-car...
sawman said:
You might be right, i was trying to get it chucked into my purchase deal, but had already scored sorting out of a few other issues , so didnt push it much. Figured i’d have a crack at it myself at some point
£275 for a new dash, 4 hours labour at £95 an hour not much change out of £700Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff