dashboard re-covered

[dw1]

Note:
This original post has been edited to clarify that 928 Leather is a high-quality supplier and that this shop's proprietor, Robert Budd, is a stand-up guy who stands behind his work.

I ask that Bob & everyone in this community accept a big apology from me.

I also strongly suggest that if anyone decided against having 928 Leather do work on their vehicle as a result of my original post reconsider that decision.

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A few suggestions from my experience:

1. If you want the dash perfectly stock looking, i.e. without the stitching around the instrument area, call Bob and discuss it with him. He's happy to explain all of the pluses and minuses. I think the stitching adds a "custom look" that goes well with the stitching on the door panels, but the concours folks may require a "100% factory" appearance.

2. Porsche changed the dashboard a/c vent between '85 and '86. The best thing to do is send the dashboard for recovering WITH the vent, so the shop can insure everything fits properly.

3. One should carefully consider the selection of covering material. Both leather and vinyl have their advantages and disadvantages. Again, call Bob and he'll be happy to discuss them with you to make the right choice.

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Suffering from the common dash cracks, I removed the dash pad from by '87 (yes, it can be done without removing the windshield, but it is a major PITA) & sent it to 928Leather for recovering.

None of the items listed below make me regret getting the dash recovered - it certainly looks better without the cracks

Most important, the center-dash a/c vent doesn't fit properly because the dash rectangular opening is too small and the corner radii are too large. [Again, I didn't originally send the vent with the dash, so this cannot be blamed on the shop that did the work.]

When I received the recovered dash the first thing I noticed was the stitching around the instrument area. Not that it is bad, but I honestly didn't know to ask, because I didn't expect the extra stitching.

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IMPORTANT UPDATE:

The owner of 928Leather offered to recover the dash again, and I'm going to take him up on it. This time, I'm sending my dash vent. I'll let the community know how it turns out.

I'm impressed with his integrity in standing behind his work.

[1982911SCTarga]

Thanks for the report, since I'll be eventually re-covering my cabriolet's dash as part of a bunch of cosmetic work. I'm also sorry that the repair work wasn't up to snuff.

The key to a successful dash re-covering has to be proper preparation and renewal of what lies beneath. That's my starting point, anyway.

Brian

[dw1]

Ironically, it seems like 928Leather did a o.k. job on the important task of restoring the padding under the covering, it's just the covering itself is not as good as I had hoped.

Brian, I also saw your post from a few days ago about DIY covering, and that's one of the things that got me thinking about reworking it myself at some time in the future. When you do it, be sure to let us know how it turns out.

I wrote my original post NOT to just complain (well, maybe a little), but to offer insight.

For example, perhaps one should never send a dash out to be recovered without the center A/C vent so the shop can insure a good fit.

Also, one should be sure to ask whether the covering will be in the stock configuration, or will there be extra stitching, etc.

Oh, well... live & learn.

Dan

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There are no "experts". There are those who have made the mistakes, and those who will make the mistakes.

[1982911SCTarga]

I'm wondering if on the DIY re-cover, one should really start with trial fitting the new covering and the dash vent together. From an appearance standpoint, that nexus is so important -- people's eyes just get drawn there and it has too look "right."

Brian

[1303RS]

Dan,
Sorry to here about your dash experience. I don't know why they put the stitching around the gauge area except to maybe make it easier to wrap or just for looks. I have wrapped these dashes without the sem in a very nice German vinyl and they look great. I own an auto upholstery shop and when I do dashes I do what I can to do it like the factory look. If the customer wants stitching I do it. I recently did a 944 dash in alcantera with no stitching. I can wrap them in leather also. Be careful about the vinyl repair. It can looked repaired. How bad are the blemishes? I'm glad you did the dash removal with out taking the glass out. There is no need to remove the front windshield unless to replace the seal. As for the a/c vent, I ask for the vent so I can check for fit. It insures for a better end result. I can email photos of some of the dashes to anyone interested in dash recovering.
If you have questions about the vinyl repair or other upholstery questions I can be reached at 928-453-8140
Mark

[1982911SCTarga]

Mark, are there any helpful tips you might be able to offer regarding how to re-square and keep square the dashboard armature prior to and during the re-covering? How do you ensure that there are no waves or twists (like the area above and around the five gauges) as you re-cover? Do you mount the dash armature in a fixture or anything? Thanks!

Brian

[dw1]

Everyone - please see the edited original post & accept my apology for any negative comments about this vendor.

[83-911SC cab]

1982911SCTarga & dw1,

I am looking at getting a spare dash for my car so I can "try" to recover it my self. My question is how much of a PITA is it to remove from the car? The donor car does not have a windshield, gauges, & it appears that a lot of other dash parts are missing.

Any special tools for hard to reach fasteners? Any hidden fasteners? What kinds of nuts, bolts, etc.. hold this puppy on? I have to drive a couple hours to remove this so I am trying to get a list of what might be needed.

Thanks for any help you can give.
Gregg S.

[dshepp806]

Originally Posted by dw1

Everyone - please see the edited original post & accept my apology for any negative comments about this vendor.

Did the vendor specifically ask that you send it in with the vent?

Best,

[911st]

How do you remove dash w/o taking the windsheld out?

Can it be reinstalled w/o then having to remove the windshield?

Thx!

[Shadetree930]

I used 928 Leather Shop (Robert Budd) to recover the leather door pulls on my 930. I learned about him from this thread actually.

Sent them off to him and got them back just a few hours ago.

The quality of his work was excellent! I was very pleased with his prices, communication, and attention to detail.

Spent the last few hours putting the interiors of both doors back together.

I am a very happy customer. Now its time to go driving!

[dw1]

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[QUOTE=dshepp806;3962055]Did the vendor specifically ask that you send it in with the vent?
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No, he didn't, but Bob has a vent he uses for "testing". My guess is that is is a vent from an '85 or earlier. Because his shop works on a lot of things, not just 911's, it's probably best to be as specific as possible and provide him with all the information and parts he needs.

To answer the question about taking the dash out: Yes, it can be done on 911 models that have the single long defroster vent - '86 and later. Some very helpful notes are in the following user's posts:
tchanson - 03-21-2006, 12:22 AM
tchanson - 03-23-2006, 12:04 AM
ewr1 - 06-22-2000, 08:00 PM

prials, I'm glad you're happy with his work. What color were/are the door pulls?

I'm planning on posting photos when I get my dash back. Recently, I've installed a CDR-220 & the car is also now at Euro ride height, both photo-worthy items.

[Shadetree930]

Forgot the obligatory pic!

Interior is full-leather. Interior color code is HQ (Silver-Grey).

[dw1]

prials,

Interesting piping on the seats. Where did you get that work done?

Armrest? Was that "home-made" or is it a commercially-available one? How is it mounted?

[Shadetree930]

Interior is an original full leather from the factory.

Full leather interiors came with the center armrest.

Contrasting piping was also a factory option on the leather.

[lowenslow]

What is a typical turn-around time for 911 dash pad recovering by the 928 Leather Shop?

[Shadetree930]

No clue. Best to contact Robert directly.

313.682.1983

[petrolblue83911]

I had robert find me a core dash and re-cover in leather this winter. His work is extremely well done. Yes-the stitching in the front is different, personally I love it. the quality of leather, padding, etc.. was and is perfect. I will send a pic this evening.

-Adam

[1303RS]

Brian,
I do not mount the dash as I wrap it. As far as twists or waves, it is all in how the material is stretched onto the dash. Is your dash bent? When wrapping a dash, this isnt going to cause anything to become out of square. Im not sure what armiture you are refering to. Hope this helps

[1982911SCTarga]

Mark, wow, thanks for following up! I hadn't been checking this thread because I hadn't seen anything from you.

My dash isn't bent, but it's warped a bit from the covering shrinking. By armature, I was referring to the framing material within a dash that gives it its basic strength, like a skeleton. In some cars -- you already know this -- it can be made of metal. Were 356s like that?

Are you saying that if I remove the covering on my old dash, it will return to a more normal shape? Thanks again.

Brian