Saving a leather dash

rw229 · 08:13 PM

My dash is just starting to show signs of shrinkage. There is an area on the top where the leather has shrunk and is lifting from the base material. It still looks fine, but if you press on it can tell. Other than using a leather conditioner, what steps (if any) can I take to prevent it from getting worse?

Along the same lines, the rear deck has shrunk to the point where the leather has pulled about a 1/2 inch from the rear window. Is there any way to soften and re-stretch it back in place?

1985RedTarga · 01-28-2012, 08:24 PM

I've been there and done that. Mine was WAY worse. I had to pay for a used, "new" to me, dash that was vinyl. 600 bucks, installed.

Since it doesn't seem as bad as my old one, you should be able to recover it before the sub structure goes really bad and leather should be an option.

I've been told by experts that the worst thing you can do to a dash it to put Amorall on it. Just a cloth with a little water.

timmy2 · timmy2's Garage

Home Page | Leatherique Restoration Products

Takes a while but it seems to work.

Reiver · 01-29-2012, 05:05 PM

I've worked with leather for years (horses/saddles) and am sold on ' Leather New ' products.
I'd get the leather new oil (deep conditioner) and oil the hell out of it to keep it supple and once the oil 'stands' and needs to be wiped off then use Leather New saddle soap (spray bottle).
If you can go to a saddle shop and ask for scrap pieces of sheep skin/hide that they line saddles with, great for an applicator.
I used these products on my 28 year old 911SC leather that was very dry and stiff, now very flex and supple.
It will not harm the stitching either and many products will weaken the sewing.

rw229 · 01-29-2012, 06:05 PM

Thanks for the tips guys. I've tried Lexol and another product (which name escapes me) While the leather is a bit softer than before, it's still pretty tight. I'm not even sure if its possible to soften it enough to where it will stretch and "relax".

I know Leatherique requires a good bit of heat to work well. (they recommend letting the car sit in the sun on a hot day) Do the Leather New products require the same?

j911brick · 01-29-2012, 09:49 PM

I don't think you can save it. I would just remove the leather before it gets worse.

1985RedTarga · 01-30-2012, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j911brick

I don't think you can save it. I would just remove the leather before it gets worse.

Ditto.

Reiver · 01-31-2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rw229

Thanks for the tips guys. I've tried Lexol and another product (which name escapes me) While the leather is a bit softer than before, it's still pretty tight. I'm not even sure if its possible to soften it enough to where it will stretch and "relax".

I know Leatherique requires a good bit of heat to work well. (they recommend letting the car sit in the sun on a hot day) Do the Leather New products require the same?

I've had my '83 sc for 3 months now and the front seats were really dry/hard. I soaked them in the Leather New deep conditioner about 3 times (in a 7 day period) until the oil would stand and need wiping...then I used the saddle soap.
They are pretty supple now and look much better (feel good, flexible).
Lexol is just an ok product and leatherique is expensive average stuff. If you soften it enough it will become flexible but may not actually stretch out like you want. You can keep it from further deterioration tho.
Just keep at it and periodically redo the whole process. I have saddles that are over 100 years old that are still flexible and that's all that I use on them.

1985RedTarga · 02-01-2012, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reiver

I've worked with leather for years (horses/saddles) and am sold on ' Leather New ' products.
I'd get the leather new oil (deep conditioner) and oil the hell out of it to keep it supple and once the oil 'stands' and needs to be wiped off then use Leather New saddle soap (spray bottle).
If you can go to a saddle shop and ask for scrap pieces of sheep skin/hide that they line saddles with, great for an applicator.
I used these products on my 28 year old 911SC leather that was very dry and stiff, now very flex and supple.
It will not harm the stitching either and many products will weaken the sewing.

Where a good place on the net to get these products?