Just age, or was it too much Leatherique causing flaw at edge of windshield? | FerrariChat
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Just age, or was it too much Leatherique causing flaw at edge of windshield?

Discussion in '348/355' started by roadracer311, Jun 19, 2011.

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?

Did I cause it, or is it just age?

  1. Yes, too much Leatherique.

  2. No, just a matter of age.

  3. No, just age. In fact my car has the same thing.

  4. Something else caused it.

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  1. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

    May 6, 2009
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    Paul
    #1 roadracer311, Jun 19, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    So, I'm hoping you guys can help me feel better about this one.

    I'm an obsessive owner. I've had my 1995 F355 for 1 1/4 years now and have put on about 2,800 miles in that time (total miles on the car are about 2,900 now).

    I spend a ridiculous amount of time fussing over it trying to keep it as perfect at possible. (I generally really enjoy this part)

    To that end, I'm just completing my second annual treatment with Leatherique. Because my dashboard is an exceptionally good one, I went out of my way to make sure I got Leatherique all the way up to the front edge of the dashboard. After letting it soak for several days I noticed a flaw appearing at the front edge of my windshield.

    My question for you all is:
    Did I cause this, with too much Leatherique, or is this just something that all windshields are prone to over time?
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  2. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

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    #2 roadracer311, Jun 19, 2011
    In case it's not clear in the photo, the flaw is in the form of a small string of bubbles right at the edge of the windshield, against the metal window frame.
     
  3. cuneo

    cuneo Formula 3
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    #3 cuneo, Jun 19, 2011
    Paul, I think they delaminate over time, leatherique or not. Mine did it way worse than that with no Leatherique. Is it possible you didn't notice it before the treatment?

    BTW, I still want to see your car, mine is back on the road and I'm driving it a bunch. 1500
    miles in a month! Would be way more but work is crazy right now. Hope the shop is doing well.
     
  4. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
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    Tim Keseluk
    #4 2NA, Jun 19, 2011
    Normal age-related delamination. Just a cosmetic flaw.
     
  5. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2007
    35,997
    Kalifornia
    #5 Kaivball, Jun 19, 2011
    My windshield on my 348 has begun delaminating as well. I don't think it has anything to do with leatherique.

    Kai
     
  6. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

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    #6 roadracer311, Jun 20, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Thanks guys. I feel a lot better now. After much digging through my photos, I found a shot that supports the idea that it's purely age.

    Here's a photo from when it came off of the delivery truck March of 2010 with 124 miles on it, showing that it was already brewing. (The windshield has the same defect on the passenger side, which I thought I remembered seeing there for a while, but wasn't sure).

    They're tiny little things. Now that I'm pretty sure I didn't cause them, they'll be much easier to ignore.
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  7. MicroFirm

    MicroFirm Karting

    Dec 6, 2010
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    Colorado
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    Frank
    #7 MicroFirm, Jun 20, 2011
    Talk about garage queens, 15 years and only 124 total miles. Was it with 1 owner before that or is it possible that more than 1 owner never drove it. In any case it sounds like an astounding find. Congrats!
     
  8. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #8 AceMaster, Jun 20, 2011
    I wouldn't sweat it - natural after this many years.
     
  9. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
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    #9 Sandy Eggo, Jun 20, 2011
    If you want a new one (windshield) to rid yourself of this malady, it'll cost you $4,500 installed...ask me how I know.

    Darn stone chips. I am looking forward to a brand new windshield on my 42,000 miler!

    :)
     
  10. vegas1

    vegas1 F1 Rookie

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    #10 vegas1, Jun 20, 2011
    Don't write the leatherique treatment off as good.

    I've had some bad experiences with it.

    I use Zymol leather conditioner on my 348 to great avail. Wouldn't dare use leatherique on my seats. It once stripped the colouring out of the leather seats on a Jaguar I owned. And it's too greasy, et al. Just my opinion.
     
  11. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 tazandjan, Jun 20, 2011
    V1- Zymol for me too. Never caused a problem and the leather smells like it is brand new from the factory. Some really good pros like Leatherique, but one or two horror stories is all it takes for me. For instance, never use leatherique on old Mercedes leather. You do not want to know what happens.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  12. tclark

    tclark Formula Junior

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    #12 tclark, Jun 20, 2011
    The upper half of the 348 dashboard is vinyl, not leather. No need for leatherique in that area anyway.
     
  13. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

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    #13 roadracer311, Jun 20, 2011
    Mine is a 355. Leather leather everywhere.
     
  14. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

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    #14 roadracer311, Jun 20, 2011
    It was one owner before me. He apparently had many cars, and just never drove this one.
     
  15. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

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    #15 roadracer311, Jun 20, 2011
    Wow Rick! I've been pricing them out, just out of curiosity. That's a lot more than I thought! Sorry to hear about your stone chip. I hope insurance covered it for you.
     
  16. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
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    #16 Sandy Eggo, Jun 21, 2011
    Yep, insurance is covering it. The cost is more than the glass + labor. You need new moldings as well as extra time to loosen some body panels a 1/4 inch to get the glass out. Make sure you get someone who has done one of these cars a few times.
     
  17. ddnguyen

    ddnguyen Karting

    Aug 11, 2005
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    #17 ddnguyen, Jun 21, 2011
    What a coincidence - my windshield cracked too and the replacement is $6500 on a Maranello (glass + molding + labor). Claimed through insurance as well...
     
  18. Stentboy

    Stentboy F1 Rookie
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    #18 Stentboy, Jun 22, 2011
    The same thing has happened to my 1900 mile 348 that is housed in a climate controlled garage. Is there a fix short of replacing the windshield; which is not an option I would consider?
     
  19. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

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    #19 roadracer311, Jun 22, 2011
    I've been researching it. From what I've read, it moves very slowly, but there isn't a fix to stop it. I was looking into having the edge glued, and even if I could find someone who knew how to do it. It would involve removing the window frame, which apparently can't be re-used, and costs about $1k.
     
  20. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #20 tazandjan, Jun 22, 2011
    I screwed up. I do not use Zymol, but Zaino on my leather. Guess all those Z-names sound the same. Especially after a couple of beers.

    Zaino makes a cleaner and leather in a bottle. Great stuff and makes the leather smell brand new.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  21. vegas1

    vegas1 F1 Rookie

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    #21 vegas1, Jun 22, 2011
    Zymol is still a great product and highly recommended, including their car polishes and waxes.
     
  22. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

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    #22 roadracer311, Jun 23, 2011
    Interesting. I've used Sonus on my Porsche (recently changed their product and I really really don't like it anymore), but haven't tried Zymol. I love the Zaino paint care line. Next time I do the Porsche leather, I'll try one of the two Z companies leather stuff.
     
  23. vegas1

    vegas1 F1 Rookie

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    #23 vegas1, Jun 23, 2011
    Zymol is a great product but it ain't cheap.

    Then again, classic cars need classic products and pampering.

    You pay for what you get.
     

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