Discussion
So now, I am at the point where I am planning the covering of my dash.
Yonks ago I bought a hide thinking I was going the leather route, but since my planned dash has many contours, curves and the like, I wanted to be sure that leather was the best way forward, especially as I am not a fan of Alconatra.
How much of a nightmare is leather to work with?
I have access to a good sewing machine so can run seams and the like.
I saw some internet comments about shrinking being a problem.
Never having worked with leather, I did wonder what pearls of wisdom might be around on this subject?
Also I found a link to another typ of fabric called IZIT leather izitleather.com that purports to be top stuff, easier to work with etc etc... Anyone used this?
Keith
Yonks ago I bought a hide thinking I was going the leather route, but since my planned dash has many contours, curves and the like, I wanted to be sure that leather was the best way forward, especially as I am not a fan of Alconatra.
How much of a nightmare is leather to work with?
I have access to a good sewing machine so can run seams and the like.
I saw some internet comments about shrinking being a problem.
Never having worked with leather, I did wonder what pearls of wisdom might be around on this subject?
Also I found a link to another typ of fabric called IZIT leather izitleather.com that purports to be top stuff, easier to work with etc etc... Anyone used this?
Keith
Hi Keith,
We did the dash with the factory supplied leather so can't help on the custom front. However, with the factory supplied option as long as you take your time when applying it then an excellent finish can be achieved althouth the concave curves on each side of the dash were extremely difficult to get right. We did it in sections using contact adhesive and putting down grease proof paper as we went so that we could get small areas done at a time without worrying about getting it stuck in the wrong place. Much easier with two people as well!!
I think in terms of ease of doing it the alcontara would have been a lot more workable but once complete the leather really does look the b
ks!!
Cheers
Chris
We did the dash with the factory supplied leather so can't help on the custom front. However, with the factory supplied option as long as you take your time when applying it then an excellent finish can be achieved althouth the concave curves on each side of the dash were extremely difficult to get right. We did it in sections using contact adhesive and putting down grease proof paper as we went so that we could get small areas done at a time without worrying about getting it stuck in the wrong place. Much easier with two people as well!!
I think in terms of ease of doing it the alcontara would have been a lot more workable but once complete the leather really does look the b
ks!!Cheers
Chris
Leather is the way to go as Alcontara will fade over time.
The leather will need to be sewn in a number of places. A normal (modern) sewing machine will not be man enough. An old Singer with a leather needle will do it but I've done a fair bit of this and never got the stitching to look as neat as I would have liked so may be worth giving this bit to an expert.
Steve
The leather will need to be sewn in a number of places. A normal (modern) sewing machine will not be man enough. An old Singer with a leather needle will do it but I've done a fair bit of this and never got the stitching to look as neat as I would have liked so may be worth giving this bit to an expert.
Steve
Hi Keith.
Having fitted the factory alcontara and leather kits - leather is far harder to work with (bearing in mind that it was all stitched up and ready to go too). You need a steamer to get it to conform to all the curved properly and any imperfection will be there to greet you every time you sit in the car
To be honest, if you're going for leather, it's a job I'd say was best left to an expert especially if you've just got an unstitched hide to work with. Do yourself a favour and get a professional trimmer to do it
Having fitted the factory alcontara and leather kits - leather is far harder to work with (bearing in mind that it was all stitched up and ready to go too). You need a steamer to get it to conform to all the curved properly and any imperfection will be there to greet you every time you sit in the car
To be honest, if you're going for leather, it's a job I'd say was best left to an expert especially if you've just got an unstitched hide to work with. Do yourself a favour and get a professional trimmer to do it
crafty said:
One of the Canam boys should be able to help you with the sewing! 
Didn't I just KNOW that a certain-person-who-is-generally-out-of-reach for us UK guys, would make such a outrageously defamatory comment such as that!Are you suggesting that Can-am owners are lacking a smidgen of .........erone?
How very DARE you!
crafty said:
One of the Canam boys should be able to help you with the sewing!
Funny I saw a Sowing machine at Andy's house once, had to ask him what it was first time I'd seen one...He did say he "took up his own jeans"......No idea what he's was talking about at the time (thought it was just a euphemism for something) but the wife has since explained..
BogBeast said:
This is an old application with a new twist!In the 70's (ouch!), I worked for a Ford main dealer, and a few Escorts were actually coated in this stuff (the bodywork)! The shell was sprayed with this base-coat ansd when wet the fibres were added using a special 'static charge' gun. One was done in green, the other -red! tThey looked like Huge Hush-puppies!
Must admit, it was certainly unique, and raised some eyebrows!
But then came the problems! after only a year, they suffered from premature balding! small black patches were starting to show through where the fibres had become thin or just dropped out. Needless to say, this idea did not last long!
V8 Vum said:
This is an old application with a new twist!
In the 70's (ouch!), I worked for a Ford main dealer, and a few Escorts were actually coated in this stuff (the bodywork)! The shell was sprayed with this base-coat and when wet the fibres were added using a special 'static charge' gun. One was done in green, the other -red! They looked like Huge Hush-puppies!
Must admit, it was certainly unique, and raised some eyebrows!
But then came the problems! after only a year, they suffered from premature balding! small black patches were starting to show through where the fibres had become thin or just dropped out. Needless to say, this idea did not last long!
In the 70's (ouch!), I worked for a Ford main dealer, and a few Escorts were actually coated in this stuff (the bodywork)! The shell was sprayed with this base-coat and when wet the fibres were added using a special 'static charge' gun. One was done in green, the other -red! They looked like Huge Hush-puppies!
Must admit, it was certainly unique, and raised some eyebrows!
But then came the problems! after only a year, they suffered from premature balding! small black patches were starting to show through where the fibres had become thin or just dropped out. Needless to say, this idea did not last long!
V8 Vum said:
This is an old application with a new twist!
In the 70's (ouch!), I worked for a Ford main dealer, and a few Escorts were actually coated in this stuff (the bodywork)! The shell was sprayed with this base-coat ansd when wet the fibres were added using a special 'static charge' gun. One was done in green, the other -red! tThey looked like Huge Hush-puppies!
Must admit, it was certainly unique, and raised some eyebrows!
But then came the problems! after only a year, they suffered from premature balding! small black patches were starting to show through where the fibres had become thin or just dropped out. Needless to say, this idea did not last long!
I flocked some of my parts In the 70's (ouch!), I worked for a Ford main dealer, and a few Escorts were actually coated in this stuff (the bodywork)! The shell was sprayed with this base-coat ansd when wet the fibres were added using a special 'static charge' gun. One was done in green, the other -red! tThey looked like Huge Hush-puppies!
Must admit, it was certainly unique, and raised some eyebrows!
But then came the problems! after only a year, they suffered from premature balding! small black patches were starting to show through where the fibres had become thin or just dropped out. Needless to say, this idea did not last long!
Used a 2 pack adhesive which I think is likely to last a lot longer. I flocked some of the interior of my Sport 8 years ago and it shows no sign of falling out or wearing thin (unlike my hair..) looks a lot better than just painting the GRP. Admittedly the areas I have flocked don't get much contact, but then nor would a dash.... Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff