And how about leather touch up any sources out there to recomend?
i had a quick look at your seats yesterday Rob...i thought maybe only a strip and redye. but it was only a glance... here's some QV seats that Serge from New Image ( 416-752-0883) did for me... he's done 9 or 10 interiors for me. he's a really good guy and will accomodate your budget. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Call speedway upholstery and see what they have to say. Personally I would take my car or a client's car there before anywhere else. Yes they have pic's of before/after work. Cheer's! James Simpson
Red, Removal and install was done by myself. Took me about 2 hours to take out and I would say about 2 hours to re-install. My radio casing was good and didn't need any work. Gary Nolan's contact number is 905-726-3221. Rob, He actually just did a removal, re-die and padding on crema testa seats a little while ago. I talked to the owner and said he was very pleased with the work. The person is a fellow F-chatter and maybe he may chime in. He may also have some before and after shots of the seats. Brett, Looks like Serge does nice work! More importantly, how's the baby. Sleeping through the night yet? I'll keep everyone posted on the progress and post pics as soon as I get them.
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glad to see you taking on the dash project Rocco...it'll clean things up really nicely. and thanks, Bananastasia doing very well...but sleep ? no, no... not yet. i hope all is well with you and yours.
Hey Brett how's things going? The machine at Ricks is really shaping up, I would be excited if it were my car but moreover I cant wait to see the masterpiece you will deliver to him. I'm there getting progress reports nearly every day and I think I'm more excited than he is. I keep giving him **** for not taking care of all those issues the first time around but I think he needs someone to give him guidance when it comes to motor issues and the finer details and who better than someone who lives and breathes those cars. The Brettster!! Looking forward to the final outcome of both works of art. BTW when you get tired of the 512 rims on your TR you know where to reach me. Ciao for now.
Crap Brett I quoted your post previously and forgot to reply on the topic at hand. I called Rick today and had him call Serge to have him drop by and take a look at my seats, which he did. Serge had redone, let me rephrase, Serge used new leather seat covers which I supplied to recover my Porsche seats. The workmanship was great but the seat covers I sourced were sub-par. I originally had Serge quote on redoing them from scratch but I figured if I could source the covers myself and have him install them it would be better but I was wrong. I should have had him do them from scratch. Don't get me wrong the covers were good quality but the colour match was not perfect. You'd think Porsche black shouldn't be too hard to match but I guess so for some. I will not accept anything less that perfect on the TR. P.S. Red GT4's look stunning and even better when they have the original small round side marker lights. Now's the time. Rob Hey Rocco let me know how the dash comes out. Geez if I knew you were a dash guy I would have called you back in the day when I was doing car audio dash jobs for insurance companies. A big undertaking, good for you. I bet the labour alone just for the re and re would cost as much if not more than what you are paying for the re-upholstery work. That type of "electrical" work isn't cheap. Good on ya!
Thanks Rocco, - takes ballie to do that job on your own JohnP, nice improvement...im wondering how long the redye lasts on the seats ? My driver side is getting worn cause of my fat ass compared to the passenger...did you do both sides ? How was the match on the rest of the interior can you tell of a fade on other pieces of the leather ? Or did you do all the creme pieces redye ? Thanks for the feedback and pics
Rob, i have the same dilemma...you go through the process and then your not satisfied and you spend double the money. THats what im afraid of...but so many difference of opionins...redye ? Redo ? do the seats only ? do the entire interior....its all messed this crap...makes me want to sell these **** boxes...hence why i havent done anything.
You guys may be over estimating the complexity of taking out the dash. It's actually pretty easy to do. Unlike some other cars where heater cores are involved, the TR dash is very simple. If anyone wants to undertake the work, I'd be glad to come by and give some advise. I'd imagine to re & re the dash would be 4 hours of shop time, so about $300 at any upholstery shop.
BTW, I found during my research on Diamond Trim, Gary has done a few F-cars for Lance Hill, one of which was his 250GT. He has also done a few cars for Chip Foose.
I guess what really worries me is my level of expectation based on what I'm told. I'm told a 99% match. I guess that 1% will explain the "not quite a match" syndrome. Once you commit you've gone past the point of no return and then it's too late if it doesn't meet your satisfaction. I just want to have a near perfect example to cherish for a while. As for selling, well that's just crazy talk Ricky. I don't think you should sell, I think you'd end up regretting it forever. I hate those, "I used to have a Ferrari" stories. The only way I would sell is if something really interesting came along but even then I'm greedy and want it all. Ciao
One client re-did his whole 355 interior....$8000 later he had a BRAND new interior....looked great but like black is, within month's crack's were showing.
Anyone here ever deal with Ed Mann at Caledon Trim Shop. I saw an arcticle on him in an old FCA newsletter & if I remember correctly he has done work for FOO.
sounds about right, the TR was quoted around the 10K mark (including taxes with a bill)...the head liner, those crappy big seats, and the rugs....hence my problem...and as Rob mentions also, your either all in or all out after if you get 99% match...if that 1% is visable to you , it will bug the crap out of me everytime i get it in. RoccoM when your done, i would love to see it and JohnP since you guys are very close to me , i would like to put all 3 side by side to see how far gone i am....actually, i can make it my maiden voyeuage to 60,000kms when we meet up. Thks Gents !
Update. Picked up the dash and the cluster housing today from Gary. The workmanship was very good and Gary was great to deal with. The leather is not an exact match to the original (but very very close), but that is to be expected with the age of the existing leather. The existing leather has years of compounds and Armoral that has damaged and shined the surface. I would definitely recommend Gary to do your interior pieces for your exotic. I attached the pictures of the pieces, but again, PM me if you want to see them in person. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
BTW, when I went to pick up the pieces, the bill was $100 less. He said it took him less time than expected. That never happens!
Looks nice Rocco, i see you did the cover over the gauges...even though the leather wasnt a 100% match to orignal how does it look against the radio case, steering wheel glove box and front speakers ? I would like to see how it came out once in ....... would you know if the new leather is treated better these days than 25 yrs ago ? would it last longer or is it all the same ? Thanks !
I would imagine that the leather would last longer now because of all we know about not using conditioners and armoral. The match is good but not perfect. It's due to the old and new leather. The new leather seems much softer and new. The old leather is hard and shinny.
I've had work done by Serge at New Image on my 911 Turbo - does a nice job. He joins us on a lot of the runs - he's the guy with the 57 Corvette. I was at his place last fall to have him look at my 348. The rain has killed my F-40 seats and interior needs some touchup. I haven't asked Serge yet, so maybe he can help, but anyone know of someone that can seal that damn targa roof so I don't have a puddle every time it rains? The bucket racing seat hold a demi-gan of water - f#%k - and takes 3 months to dry! And Ricky - don't be silly! I took my car out for a drive this week after work a few times and couldn't believe what pleasure it brings - not mention the heads turning well in advance of the car arriving.
