Difference between revisions of "Leather dashboard"
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
==Leather-covered dashboards and instrument panels== | ==Leather-covered dashboards and instrument panels== | ||
| − | To a full leather trim belongs a leather covered dashboard and instrument | + | To a full leather trim belongs a leather covered dashboard and instrument panel. For [[saddler|saddlers]], leather-covered dashboards are a challenge due to the large, smooth surface with several deformations. |
Dashboards are large areas, and you look obliquely above. Therefore, the selected [[Hide - Skin|hides]] must be checked very carefully for [[Natural markings on leather|skin damages]]. Only 50% of the hides are [[leather quality|good enough]] to be used as dashboard leather. | Dashboards are large areas, and you look obliquely above. Therefore, the selected [[Hide - Skin|hides]] must be checked very carefully for [[Natural markings on leather|skin damages]]. Only 50% of the hides are [[leather quality|good enough]] to be used as dashboard leather. | ||
| Line 38: | Line 38: | ||
==Dashboards with shrinkage of the leather by heat== | ==Dashboards with shrinkage of the leather by heat== | ||
| − | Dashboards are subject of extreme heat so the adhesive must be particularly strong in these areas, and sometimes the leather is also [[Shrunken leather - leather shrinkage| | + | Dashboards are subject of extreme heat so the adhesive must be particularly strong in these areas, and sometimes the leather is also [[Shrunken leather - leather shrinkage|pre-shrunk]] so that it cannot longer shrink later. |
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
</p> | </p> | ||
<p align=center> | <p align=center> | ||
| − | ''[[Shrunken leather - leather shrinkage|Shrunken]] | + | ''[[Shrunken leather - leather shrinkage|Shrunken]] dashboard of a Peugeot 307CC.''<br></p> |
<p> </p> | <p> </p> | ||
| Line 88: | Line 88: | ||
</p> | </p> | ||
<p align=center> | <p align=center> | ||
| − | '' | + | ''Dashboard with [[Alcantara]] covering.''<br></p> |
<p> </p> | <p> </p> | ||
Revision as of 17:18, 5 November 2016
Contents
Leather-covered dashboards and instrument panels
To a full leather trim belongs a leather covered dashboard and instrument panel. For saddlers, leather-covered dashboards are a challenge due to the large, smooth surface with several deformations.
Dashboards are large areas, and you look obliquely above. Therefore, the selected hides must be checked very carefully for skin damages. Only 50% of the hides are good enough to be used as dashboard leather.
Leather dashboards are mostly dark. This is to avoid the light reflecting on the dashboard onto the windscreen. Sometimes drivers want to get bright coloured dashboards to then realise when driving that your visibility has been affected due to light reflecting on it. We recommend to keep this in mind.
For this same reason, car dashboards always have a very matt finish. Only matt surfaces are not reflected in the windshield.
Another challenge are the breaking points at the seams for airbag. These predetermined breaking points are not only reached through the seams. The leather also has a smaller thickness of about 0.45 mm sharpened (normal is 0.9 to 1.2 mm) at the crucial points, so that it tears in the thinner areas in the airbag explosion. Thus, the points are not visible, the area is strengthened by a lamination.
The latest developments are the local cutting of notches on the back of the leather, which are so thin that light symbols can be detected. With and without switch functions.
Dashboards with shrinkage of the leather by heat
Dashboards are subject of extreme heat so the adhesive must be particularly strong in these areas, and sometimes the leather is also pre-shrunk so that it cannot longer shrink later.
Shrunken dashboard of a Peugeot 307CC.
Adhesive detachment in leather-covered dashboard
Although not very common, sometimes the adhesive under the leather cover detaches from the moulding creating bubbles under the leather. In very rare cases you can activate the glue again and re-stick it by putting strong pressure and with the help of a heat gun. In most cases, however, this won’t work and a saddler must change the leather to new. Likewise, attempts to put adhesive with a syringe under the surface will be unsatisfactory. Again, the chances are extremely low, but usually there is nothing to lose and an attempt can be made quickly.
Adhesive detachment. Right: Ferrari F355 GTS.
Cracked dashboards
Old dashboards can break specially in warm climates. These are mostly tired plastic pieces, not covered with leather. Due to the size of the breaks, in most cases repairs are not possible without changing to new.
Cracked dashboards. Left: Mercedes R107 SL - Right: Mercedes SL Pagode.
Dashboards from other materials
Normally dashboards are made of plastic or covered with leatherette or other materials. Rarely are fabrics.
Dashboard with Alcantara covering.
Additional information
a kotori web solution