Leather Experts - help needed

[Coastr]

My car has the full leather interior option - and the rear shelf has bent itself upwards.

I don't know if this is from the leather tightening and pulling the lip of the rear shelf up, or if someone fitted it wrong and bent up the end and the leather tightened itself up in the sun.

Either way I have a shelf with a bend in the back that shouldn't be there.



You can see the kick up underneath



Observe this pic I stole from the classifieds, which shows a flat shelf (also leather covered)



Question for anyone knowledgeable in interior leather:

What would be the best way to bend the shelf back down again and (presumably) stretch the leather back out again? I really want to get the shelf sitting flat under the rear window seal again, instaed of sticking up like a black ducks beak. The shelf itself appears to be some type of plastic or fibreglass. Am I going to need a lot of heat and leave it under something heavy for a while?

[Harpo]

One option would be to wet down the rear shelf then flatten it out between two boards and some cement blocks. The speakers would have to come out before attempting this

[Coastr]

Originally Posted by Harpo

One option would be to wet down the rear shelf then flatten it out between two boards and some cement blocks. The speakers would have to come out before attempting this

I'm not sure what the shelf is made from? I was expecting some type of wood product but it doesn't appear to be. There's also the issue of the leather which is currently stretched very tight. Even if I can get the board to go flat with some weight I think the leather is going to pull it back again.

[wilnj]

Originally Posted by Coastr

I'm not sure what the shelf is made from? I was expecting some type of wood product but it doesn't appear to be. There's also the issue of the leather which is currently stretched very tight. Even if I can get the board to go flat with some weight I think the leather is going to pull it back again.

Can you reinforce it by epoxying an aluminum tube to the underside of the shelf once you’ve flattened it back out?


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[4flyboy]

Looks to be a leather issue.

The leather dashes on period cars are famous for shrinking and distorting the dash around the center A/C vent.

If it were mine I'd condition the leather over a considerable period of time until it was supple again ....I wouldn't rush this. I'd lay a flat wood plank over the area and add some even weight....

[autobonrun]

Originally Posted by wilnj

Can you reinforce it by epoxying an aluminum tube to the underside of the shelf once you’ve flattened it back out?


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That's what I'm thinking as well. Chances are the fiber board has formed a 'memory' at this point; probably from the moisture and heat. It's hard to tell if the curvature is from the leather or the particle board.

I would remove all the disintegrating material off the back and create some rib bracing to keep it flat. Use Liquid-Nails and some very strong metal bars at the correct spots on the back to keep it flat. I imagine the bars would need to be at least 1/2" x 1/2" to keep it flat over any distance. The problem will be can you place them at the appropriate spot and still be able to fasten it back down. I can't recall if there is metal underneath this shelf or not. If so, the 1/2" bar wouldn't work, you'd have to find something thinner but very strong to form a bracing.

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by wilnj

Can you reinforce it by epoxying an aluminum tube to the underside of the shelf once you’ve flattened it back out?

I like this idea but I would use a long piece to 1/8" x2 " flat stock. Once in place there is little chance of it ever curling again..

[Dpmulvan]

I would replace it, remove leather and backing wet piece clamp it flat then trace it on to new material cut it out replace foam/ leather. Don't cob it up do it once do it right. A lot of heat back there.

[Coastr]

Originally Posted by 4flyboy

Looks to be a leather issue.

The leather dashes on period cars are famous for shrinking and distorting the dash around the center A/C vent.

If it were mine I'd condition the leather over a considerable period of time until it was supple again ....I wouldn't rush this. I'd lay a flat wood plank over the area and add some even weight....

I was thinking this but not sure if old leather will loosen up? I have chemical bros conditioner - might start putting that on frequently and see where I get

[Solamar]

Originally Posted by Coastr

I really want to get the shelf sitting flat under the rear window seal again

Doesnt this style parcel shelf sit on top of the rear window rubber seal?

[SkiVT]

I had a similarly curled rear shelf. I tried detaching the leather to let it relax, used weights on the underlying material to flatten, and finally attached metal to hold it flat. None of this worked very well. The edge was still very uneven. My original plan was to get it close and then have it re-covered. I ended up buying a used shelf off ebay. So not saying it can't be done successfully but I failed.

[Coastr]

Originally Posted by SkiVT

I had a similarly curled rear shelf. I tried detaching the leather to let it relax, used weights on the underlying material to flatten, and finally attached metal to hold it flat. None of this worked very well. The edge was still very uneven. My original plan was to get it close and then have it re-covered. I ended up buying a used shelf off ebay. So not saying it can't be done successfully but I failed.

Hmm that’s a bummer. Did the leather relax at all? Or once shrunk it was shrunk for good?

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Coastr

I was thinking this but not sure if old leather will loosen up? I have chemical bros conditioner - might start putting that on frequently and see where I get

Leatherique. I've spent decades treating leather with various products - but since I used this for the first time, it's the only one I buy.

I bought some Sport seats intending to re-dye them to the color I wanted. Leather was hard as iron, totally inflexible. Driver's bolster was worn, cracked, scuffed up.

I started on the driver's seat as a control. Per Leatherique's instructions, before dying or dye prep, you treat the leather to get it in good condition.

By the time I got done feeding it 32oz (!!!! for one seat!!!) of Leatherique over a 4 week period (you can tell when its done; it won't accept any more product and little white crystals that look like salt come floating out of the leather), it was as soft as brand-new leather. Amazingly, all the scuffs and damage I'd thought was near-terminal had "healed" and looked way better.

I cleaned it and looked at it.

I simply couldn't bring myself to to take 600 grit to it; it went from an old looking seat to about as good as you would expect a 30 year old high-quality "driver" seat to be.

Sold the seats, bought some cores and had them re-covered the color i wanted. And treat them with Leatherique every year or two. They'll out-last me..

[SkiVT]

I used Obenauf's Leather Oil and can't claim the leather itself relaxed much but disconnecting it from the shelf allowed the shelf to flex more easily under weight. However, it really wanted to go back to its curled shape once the weights was removed. I was afraid to flex it the other direction too much to get the curl out as the material seemed like it would break or de-laminate. Your picture looks like a much smaller curl than mine had. The original owner (I am third) said a transport company left windows open allowing rain to get in and it ended up ruining the dash and rear shelf over time. It cost me quite a bit to find a used dashpad and rear shelf, and have both recovered in leather.

There are a series of staples holding the upper curved piece with the speaker holes to the lower piece that supports the rear passenger back rest. I carefully separated the two, had the curved piece off my ebay purchase recovered, and kept the original flat backrest piece as that leather was original and still in fine condition.

[Coastr]

Originally Posted by SkiVT

I used Obenauf's Leather Oil and can't claim the leather itself relaxed much but disconnecting it from the shelf allowed the shelf to flex more easily under weight. However, it really wanted to go back to its curled shape once the weights was removed. I was afraid to flex it the other direction too much to get the curl out as the material seemed like it would break or de-laminate. Your picture looks like a much smaller curl than mine had. The original owner (I am third) said a transport company left windows open allowing rain to get in and it ended up ruining the dash and rear shelf over time. It cost me quite a bit to find a used dashpad and rear shelf, and have both recovered in leather.

There are a series of staples holding the upper curved piece with the speaker holes to the lower piece that supports the rear passenger back rest. I carefully separated the two, had the curved piece off my ebay purchase recovered, and kept the original flat backrest piece as that leather was original and still in fine condition.

Thanks - I was hoping to keep the original leather as it is in good condition apart from the stretch. Dash has already been recovered so probably had the same issue. I’ll try some leather conditioning (maybe finally get some leatherique) and see if I can loosen it up.

I can’t work out if the leather pulled up the shelf or the shelf got put in wrong and leather adapted. Probably the leather pulled it up. There is no sign of water damage at all anywhere so I don’t think it got wet.

[spuggy]

Couple of questions about using Leatherique, so posting here for anyone interested:

Just apply Rejuvenator until it won't take any more. Heat helps a lot at first to open up the leather - like treat, bag it up in a black plastic bin liner and leave in the sun. And time. It takes as long as it takes. It'll be obvious when you're done...

Keep re-applying (working it in with your hands works well at first, until the leather opens up). Re-apply whenever the leather looks matte/dry again. A seat may initially accept 2-3, even 4 or more applications a day. This will slow down, until eventually it just won't take anymore; even after several days the product just sits on the surface. And little white crystals may appear (that's the old salt/toxins/sweat etc, - apparently).

Then use Pristine Clean to remove the tacky. At this point, the leather will be really supple/soft.

Going forward, re-apply Rejuvenator/clean with Pristine Clean as necessary.

I used Neat's Foot Oil on bike jackets, boots, gloves for years - Leatherique is far better. I also use on my leather couch, tail, dash, door tops/cards etc.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Coastr

I can’t work out if the leather pulled up the shelf or the shelf got put in wrong and leather adapted. Probably the leather pulled it up. There is no sign of water damage at all anywhere so I don’t think it got wet.

Leather does shrink and get hard as it dries out, and relaxes and stretches when it's well-fed.

The cars weren't air tight to start with - and certainly are not once the foam in the rear roof vent crumbles to dust... So humidity in the air will get in, and if you're not driving it with the heat on to dry it out or keeping it in a climate-controlled storage area...

Based on my door cards, I think once that fiber board curls up (rain ingress for me), it could be tough to straighten it.

Might work to soak it thoroughly, maybe even steam it?, then clamp flat and let it dry out - but I'm just guessing.

[Coastr]

Originally Posted by spuggy

Leather does shrink and get hard as it dries out, and relaxes and stretches when it's well-fed.

The cars weren't air tight to start with - and certainly are not once the foam in the rear roof vent crumbles to dust... So humidity in the air will get in, and if you're not driving it with the heat on to dry it out or keeping it in a climate-controlled storage area...

Based on my door cards, I think once that fiber board curls up (rain ingress for me), it could be tough to straighten it.

Might work to soak it thoroughly, maybe even steam it?, then clamp flat and let it dry out - but I'm just guessing.

I think working the leather until it is softer and then steaming the back is the way to go. I think I need to build a rig to put pressure on the board and then have steaming going on underneath - time and increasing pressure might work. I can see trying to brace it flat is probably doomed, but steaming might work.

Though I think long term I need a new top and new leather, but I might try repairing the old first.

Right now I have just put it back in because time is not on my side. I gave the leather a lot of conditioner but haven’t tried leatherique yet.

[JK930]

just a thought

make a new rear shelf

remove leather from original

treat it with leather conditioner to make is somewhat supple again

transfer the leather from the original board to the new board.

[targa80]

I would replace the warped hardback board with new and glue and staple the leather to it. I buy the /8 3x5 hardback board from home depot and have used it to replace the door inner boards and to stiffen up the sun visors. Also used same material to replace the driver side wooden floor board. I have posted several threads showing how i did it.