Maintaining Leather Dash on 355

My new car has an absolutely perfect dark blue dash, and I want to keep it that way. It will occasionally get parked in the sun, just no way to avoid it, and I can't bearto get one of those hideous dash covers.

What do you all think is the best treatment for the dash? Lexol? Zymol leather conditioner? Do they make Connoly Hide Food any more?

I found that Griot's Interior Cleaner seems to do a nice job of controlling the stickiness on the rubber parts.

 

I would highly recommend Leatherique for the dash. Great stuff.

 

+1

 

They seem to make a wide range -- from dyes to Rejuvenator to Prisitne Clean. This is for leather in very good condition.

 

i use leatherique, but it is messy.

 

When I purchased my 355, the interior had been completely redone. The previous owner suggested (strongly) that I use Leatherique to avoid going through the expense he did. Granted it's only a couple of years old (the leather) but it is in perfect shape. Very soft and pliable. Agreed, it is a little more effort than some of the products out there but I think it's worth it.

 

You will want the Rejuvinator Oil. Rub in by hand then let it soak in the sun. It will leave a light residue (including on your windshield). Then use the Pristine clean afterward, The oil is unbeleivable. The Pristine Clean is a little harsh and may even pull a little color from the leather if you use it on your seats, but it is all normal.

I recommend that you also do your seats with the same Oil/Cleaner.

Trust me, it is by far the best.

The old F-Chat forum had a ton of threads on it. After 5 years I am more than happy with their product. It was expensive but I still have the same bottles from 2003.

 

I agree with Leatherique--that stuff is awesome...Another tip!!! Pick up a Berlinetta Shade from Ricambi!! I got one a few weeks ago and they are awesome, I cannot believe the temp difference inside the car after it has sat outside in the sun for a few hours. Keeps the interior much cooler and keeps the UV sun rays from damaging your interior. I honestly think if I had one of these last year at the Reading Concours while the car sat outside in the sun all day my console would still be perfect, but alas after that day the sticky parts starting appearing....It is easy to put on and take off and stows in a tiny little bag. It is not some cheap generic cardboard version, it is specific for each car...Cheap insurance for the price!!!

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/index.php?cPath=100003&osCsid=dc055530a9df1db5863777a842e3f84f

A few pics of it on my car...
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+4 on the Leatherique. I soak my dash at least three or four times per year. Usually just an overnight treatment is fine. To remove the excess, and avoid pulling up dye, DO NOT use the Prestine Clean. Instead, simply use a towel soaked in hot water, and wringed out well. Rinse the hot towel often as you work, and wring it each time real well.

For the rest of the car I use Griot's Garage Leather Care, simply because it is easier to apply and remove, and the rest of the leather does not take the abusive drying effects that the dash seems to experience.

 

How do you drive with that on though

 

I have a black canvas "cock pit cover" thay came with my used Spider. I haven't messed with it too much but can't seem to figure out the anchoring straps.

I assume that is afteramarket and not OEM???

Anyone know?

 

Hideous dash covers?

Do you prefer a shrunken leather dash? I recommend that you change your mind and get a dash cover from dashdesigns.

Now if the car is parked out in the sun, why not use a windshield sun shade? You can get a custom one from www.customcarcover.com

 

Front mounted camera...

 

Get both the Rejuvenator and the pristine clean. Pristine clean is the cleaner, the Rejuvenator is the majic stuff to make leather perfect again. Stuff works great.

 

Can you get this anywhere? If not where is the best place to get it?

 

Only here that I know of...


http://www.leatherique.com

Kind of a hokey website, but the do get it to you.

 

As a maintenance item, I tried the Maguires leather wipes. Don't laugh, it turns out to be a good product. Not so good at restoring thirsty leather, but looks great on conditioned leather if used to wipe up dirt and spills periodically.

 

I ordered the Leatherique products. What a horrible name. Sounds like a late night infomercial product. \

I also ordered the Spider cover from Ricambi... Covers the whole cockpit. Hopefully not too hard to throw on. I just can't abide those mylar looking things... makes me think of a microwave pouch or something!

 

I use Leatherique anually and use this if I get caught in the sun:

http://www.carcoverusa.com/Covercraft-Window-Sun-Shields.html

Make sure to get the UVS100 version, it's solid (not the normal flexible foil kind), not tacky looking, and is the same one BMW throws their logo on for their OEM version. You have to select '96 to get one for a berlinetta and 97 to get one for a spider.

 

I agree that the dash covers look bad, but I usually just keep mine rolled up behind the seat or in the boot when I'm driving, and toss it on when I park outside.

I'm sure all the products mentioned are good, but there's no substitute for just blocking the sun.

 

Hi Mike,

Not to be a sales ho - but I did want to respond to your concerns regarding the Spider Top's ease of use. How does "under a minute to install" sound?
I'm hoping you'll be pleased.

Cheers, Hank
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I used leatherique on my leather couch and chair, what an awesome product. If I was Victor Kiam, I'ld buy the company...

 

Anyone tried Zaino's leather care products? Curious to see how they compare to Leatherique (which I've never used)...

 

how much is the dash fix on the 355
complete dash redo i mean?

 

The old saying "it depends". Lot's of labor to remove the dash, and if you want to remove and install yourself, that saves big dollars. But from previous threads I have seen, figure around $2k...but can go as high as $3k if you are also replacing sticky dash vents and replacing the trim and grill for the defroster vents near the windshield.