tmJak Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 As some of you may remember, I decided to get some of my interior trimmed, like the centre console, door cards and the bits on the dash that carry on from the door cards. I got myself a spare centre console and eventually found a trimmer who was willing to give it a go. Knowing nothing of leather trimming, I thought this would be quite easy for a trimmer to do, and expected it would take a couple of days. But, I quickly found out the difficulties that were involved. If the centre console was just trimmed in leather, it wouldn't fit back on the dash, none of the dials would fit and the cubby would not open or close. Where the leather is stitched, it makes it about double as thick as normal, so the seam would stick out like a ridge. The hardest bit by far is getting the cubby hole to still operate. I gave the trimmer my spare centre console months ago and he got to work. He had to shave the back of the leather to make it thinner, and has also had to massively trim down the plastic. He has been doing this with a razor blade, as dremmels are not accurate enough and can leave a poor finish. You can be precise with a razor, and take strips away milimetres at a time. I went for a fitting last week to check out the centre console. It looks like this: Unfortunately, it needed a further 1/16th of an inch shaving around the air con controls, around the gear stick where the shiny surround insert goes, and around the stereo hole. He also has to further shave down most of where the console meets the dash. Just so you know how much shaving of the plastic he's had to do, I've done a pretty diagram : Around 2 weeks ago, I had a few days off so removed my dash so he could start trimming the end bits. Just for those who have never seen the guts of a Zed, here's my car: I have got the dash all fitted back together now, and the bits he had done are superb and much better looking that the tacky plastic. I'm booked in to get it all completed at the end of the month, including the door cards. Wanted to get it finished for Wales, but was not to be Thought I'd do my thread this way so I can just add bits when they're done, and post up any of the more interesting pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Wow, that is fantastic! Kudos to you for going for it and taking the whole dash out!! Can't wait to see the finished article!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Quads Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Very interesting - You got any close up pics of the various bits of the dash. One of the drawbacks of leather is the thickness of it, one of the advantages of looking at Alcantara. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Finally dude! Good skills for going for going through with this though... i didnt realise everything would have to be trimmed down... what a nightmare! Looking forward to seeing the progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M350ZB Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Some fantastic work there, look forward to seeing alot more , well done buddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmJak Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 A couple of pics of the side bit done. Took pics in the dark so not the best. Needs a bit of a polish to darken the leather a bit, but will wait till it's all done for that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmJak Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 One of the drawbacks of leather is the thickness of it, one of the advantages of looking at Alcantara. Had considered it, but wanted the subtle look rather than the racecar look. Alacantara reminds me of the inside of stripped out supercars like Lambo's. It'd also really annoy me if it didn't all go in the same direction. I'd probably end up brushing it Was thinking of using some alacantara, like on the door cards, but conscious that if I have too many different textures of material in the car it will look a bit scary and not well thought out. Gonna stick to leather and carbon fibre. Marzman - Know it's been a long time, but I had been working on it. My centre console had been with the trimmer for so long I didn't want to post up till I had some results. He's very good at what he does, but he takes his time with it and has been quite ill so that delayed everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I wonder if anybody is gonna do an "Alligator Skin" re-trim... Looking great btw, glad you got the patience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MITZ@CougarStore Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 That looks very good... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H5 Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I had my last car done in Alcantara - massively expensive (the proper stuff from Italy ) and I did spend a lot of time brushing it the right way!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3FIDDYZ Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Nice work Would love to know cost details when your done... Also! Whats he doing about the passanger airbag section on the dash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I had my last car done in Alcantara - massively expensive (the proper stuff from Italy ) and I did spend a lot of time brushing it the right way!! +1 Had it in the Lambo and i used to find myself brushing it the same way whilst at traffic lights. To outsiders it must of looked like I was stroking my car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Great thread, please keep us updated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I had my last car done in Alcantara - massively expensive (the proper stuff from Italy ) and I did spend a lot of time brushing it the right way!! +1 Had it in the Lambo and i used to find myself brushing it the same way whilst at traffic lights. To outsiders it must of looked like I was stroking my car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Quads Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 While it may take some stoking lol it just feels so much nicer than bare plastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1 HNK Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 great job, looking forward to see the final results Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 This is looking very good, Chris. Hope ist not going to bankrupt you though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Looks great so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrenz123 Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Have to say, that centre console looks stunning! Would love to get mine done like that plus the arm rest on the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomer816 Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Looks realy good mate. Good on ya for going for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmJak Posted May 30, 2009 Author Share Posted May 30, 2009 Just for anyone following, I was meant to take the car in today to get everything finished over the weekend but my trimmer is ill - he's not been well recently. Hoping for next weekend if he's recovered. The work is pretty good value to be fair, have paid £250 so far and only got the door cards to trim which should be easy to do, just the cost of leather really with his labour on top. He gave me a quote at the start for just the centre console for £200, and it took much more work than he expected. He still charged the same price tho, so he's being pretty good on his word. The side bits of the dash have cost £50. All in it should be less then £600. You can pay that for an induction kit so it could be worse 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrenz123 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 I'm very, very interested in getting some of my interior done too, think im going to have to find a good local upholsterer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanS16 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Any updates? Think this is one of the best mods i've seen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT4 Zed Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Any updates? Think this is one of the best mods i've seen +1 i have been toting with this idea but was put off by the possible exhorbitant cost but it seems affordable compared to other mods can't wait for completed pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M350ZB Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Any updates? Think this is one of the best mods i've seen +1, does look the business Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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