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Originally Posted by blkvrtswp
Thanks, Mike. Good luck on yours too. I'm probably almost as picky as you are  so I appreciate the advice. Did you wrap your dash yourself or have it done?
I'm less worried about the console. Hell - I'll file the holes bigger if the lighter/switch/ashtray won't go in nicely due to the leather. I have a spare console so I can afford to get a little crazy. I also thought about jigsawing the whole black ashtray surround area out and tucking the leather around it.  But I really do not like the OEM finish there - I would prefer to cover it.
I'm going for a real CF plus red-stitched leather theme, so OEM black plastic is not in the end game plan. I already have the radio bezel, arm rest and ashtray in CF. Vents, column cover, door switches also will be done in CF eventually.
That leaves the rear vert seat and side panels - currently both are ok but will need to be redone to match the front.
Question - Would anyone recommend using some kind of tape over the single, not deep crack I have on the dash? Or just leave it? Wondering if the crack would show thru the leather. |
Do not use the word "jigsaw" when working with your interior. Jigsaw is not a precise tool. Get yourself some rotary tools (ie: dremel type tools and bits) and pray that you do a good job.
As for being as picky as me, I doubt it. Have you gotten checked for being OCD? I havent, but I can assure you that my line of work is therapeutic for my condition - assuming that I am OCD. I havent gotten it checked, but I am going to assume I am as it takes one to know one. Nowadays when I go home I could give a flying fuck if this or that is perfect. I get it out of my system at work.
So to answer your question, yes - strip the fucking dash. I took a mint black dash to my interior shop (way back when) and they did the work. Turned out nice, except they used RED stitching and I requested BLACK. Nothing some dye wont fix.
That wasnt the problem though. You see, when I attempted to fit all the HVAC parts such as the vents - it was too tight a fit. As a test, I left the car parked in the sun (with car cover on) to heat the interior and bake the fresh paint (chassis was fully painted at that point). Well, a few weeks go by and I eventually pull the car back into the garage only to see that some of the vents had cracked due to the reduced tolerances. Learn from me: remove as much of the OEM foam and vinyl, strip that dash down before attempting to wrap it. This way everything fits better.
And to answer your last question: In addition to the damaged HVAC vents, I noticed a seam going down a small section of the dash. What is that seam, you ask? Most likely a crack that developed and is barely visible under the leather material. Now if the material had been stripped, then the crack would had not developed.
So. Learn from my mistakes. I still think the center console & door panels are the biggest challenge though. Dont worry, you'll soon see what I am talking about. :-P