Leather dash anti-shrinking tricks | FerrariChat

Leather dash anti-shrinking tricks

Discussion in 'Detailing & Showroom' started by puckybadger, Apr 27, 2016.

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  1. puckybadger

    puckybadger Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 12, 2016
    319
    Milwaukee, WI USA
    I can't sleep at night worrying about shrinking leather. Any tips to delay what appears to be the inevitable? (2002 456M GT)
     
  2. bball16

    bball16 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 2, 2011
    4,120
    NY LI FtL
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Don't park in the sun alot and condition the leather often.
     
  3. ncjetskier

    ncjetskier Formula 3

    Jul 7, 2012
    1,416
    Eastern NC
    Full Name:
    Chris
    It is not the leather that makes the incredible shrinking dash. It is the result of the foam underneath the leather degrading and breaking down. Once the foam padding degrades, there is nothing to hold the leather in place which causes the "bubbles" in the leather and the front defrosting vent to break free.

    Yes, keep it out of the sun and a moist environment would also keep the foam from drying out. It is a polyurethane foam which dry rots.

    I just did my dash last year, and the car looks great - worth the $4,500.
     
  4. blown daytona

    blown daytona Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2008
    1,679
    maryland
    +1
     
  5. cls

    cls Formula 3

    Jun 12, 2007
    1,663
    Los Angeles/Montreal
    Full Name:
    Chris
    The leather also shrinks.

    It will pull away from where it's glued and pull staples out where it's secured. The best evidence of this is usually the instrument pod: staples will start to creep out from underneath as the leather shrinks. I have some cars where they have moved as much as an inch inwards.

    Also on door panels and headliners where the leather is directly glued to the substrate, it will usually pull away from the convex middle first as the leather shrinks, because it is the weakest point.
     
  6. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 22, 2002
    19,255
    whats wrong with fixing it when it happens? not something you shld stress over
     
  7. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
    6,097
    Bugtussle
  8. John_K_348

    John_K_348 F1 Rookie

    Sep 20, 2013
    2,753
    Boston, MA
    Full Name:
    John E. Kenney
    Nourish, protect, and good parking screens, visors. Think about window tint.
     
  9. raider1968

    raider1968 F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 13, 2008
    4,966
    NC Mnts & Asheville
    Full Name:
    John E
    I've had shrinkage with the car just sitting in A/c heated garage
     

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