355 Dash Leather and Sticky Parts Refurb

Hi guys, nice thread!

Just want to add.. DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THE SWITCHES! I disassembled the sport switch in my 360 and mixed parts with a working switch.. it isn't easy to assemble back to working... don't do it!

 

Thus why I sent mine to Robbie! Mess up just one switch and it will cost many times more to replace that one switch than what you will spend to have it done right.

 

It isn't necessary to disasemble the switches to refurb them. Just be careful to keep everying as dry as possible, and mask the pictograms before respraying. I also masked off the moving part of the switches, and only resprayed the housings (using Plasti-dip). They look brand new.

 

Switches just came!!!!!! Can't wait to install them this evening. They look great, thanks Robbie. Pictures to come later

 

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Finished! It may be 14 years old but it looks like it just came off the showroom floor. NO STICKY STUFF
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looks great.. just re-assembled my 360.. robbie re finished every part inside the car and it looks perfect.. brand new showroom condition..i highly reccomend him.. it's completely worth the price..

 

I agree. I had Robbie refinish all the switches. He not only turned them around in less than one day, he called me to tell me he had them and would be shipping them out same day. Great communication and excellent work! Thanks Robbie.

That said, it's 60* and sunny here in central California. The car is down off the lift and my wife and I just got back from a beautiful little drive. I haven't driven the 355 in some time. It still sends a thrill up my leg driving this beautiful car. I'm used to having people take pictures of the Gallardo but today a guy followed me for about 3 miles taking a score of pictures. The F355B is still a classic in my opinion.

 

I have dealt with that crack many times, they seem to break there all the time. I refinish, put it all back together and then epoxy it. That way there is no stress on the parts when putting it back together... Give that a try

 

Any time--Glad they arrived safely

 

Very well done! It's great to see another 355 restored to its previous glory!

 

Wow great job!! You are inspiring! Going to tackle a few pieces myself soon. I'm also admiring your floor mats. Where did you get them. Ricambi?

 

Thanks, I waited so too long since I was a bit intimidated in taking the door handles apart. Once I watched Robbie's video it was easy. The techniques in this thread were very helpful. Again though, it isn't perfect (close). If you want perfect, send the parts to Robbie. Don't remember where I got the mats now. I've had them for quite some time. They may have come from Italiancarparts.com, just don't remember. I'll look to see if they came with the car or I bought them. Somehow I think I did.

 

Thanks I appreciate it. They are very nice.

 

I've begun refinishing the dash with leather and I am only at the beginning. However, there is no way to staple it because the dash is rock hard.

Jay, did you only use glue on the back side or what?

I am worried that there isn't a mechanical hold on the leather. What do you think?

 

I was just wondering. You said you primed the ashtray before the textured paint. I have my ashtray wooled down to the metal ready to go. And right before I was going to spray the texture I remembered about that. Could you please clarify what you primed the ashtray with before you spayed the rustoleum textured paint on it? Thanks. And thanks for giving us newbies the opportunity to tinker with some stuff. These are building blocks for us...:>)

 

The ashtray cover is aluminium so it's best to sandblast it so it has an etching and then avoid touching it with bare hands. After that, use a chromate primer (you can buy it in a can). Allow proper dry time and then finish with final coat.

Here's my complete sticky solution with lots of pictures:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=359291

 

or just use a metal etch primer (available in spray can) before you paint the final coat.....available at any automotive paint supplier.

 

lol

 

I am done with my wheel housing and halfway done with my ashtray. So far everything is looking just as it should. So, I want t give a "SHOUTOUT" to all the newbies that might run across this thread with a 355 they just bought wondering WTF. As the addage goes. "If I can do it, so can you". Try it! It's rewarding. If you hit a snag there is plenty of help on here! :>)

 

Bare Aluminium and bare metal have different properties so using the same products for both is equivalent to using dishwashing soap to shampoo your hair. It may work but it's not made for that and the surfaces are completely different.

Get the proper stuff to do a proper job. Do it right, do it once....

 

The product I use is Dupont Etch Primer A-4115S.
I have used this product on all alloy parts (except truly high heat applications like header heat shields where I use a ceramic based product) in the engine compartment including cast brake rotors hats & alloy calipers and have had no issues at all.
This product is rated for: "Direct to steel, galvanized steel and aluminum"
and was recommended by the automotive paint suppier.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=dupont%20etch%20primer%20a-4115s&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpc.dupont.com%2Fdpc%2Fen%2FUS%2Fhtml%2Fvisitor%2Fcommon%2Fpdfs%2Fb%2Fproduct%2Fdr%2FChromaSystemLV%2FDAF_a4114s-a4115s_TDS.pdf&ei=Pny3UNaDC-r7yAH1pYDgCA&usg=AFQjCNERSKK9nIhu8tIs6YSmR1uNAqLtPg

 

Zinc chromate primer is still better for bare aluminium and you can buy it for 8 bucks. Why not spring for it?

 

That light ridge on the ashtray is the lighting not a forgotten area....

 

Nice Job!