Maintaining Leather Dash on 355 | FerrariChat

Maintaining Leather Dash on 355

Discussion in '348/355' started by MRONY, Apr 24, 2008.

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  1. MRONY

    MRONY Formula Junior

    Mar 17, 2007
    707
    New York City
    Full Name:
    Mike O.
    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.
     
  2. Ferrari Fanatic

    Ferrari Fanatic Formula 3

    Apr 2, 2003
    1,317
    SoCal
    I would highly recommend Leatherique for the dash. Great stuff.
     
  3. Monteman

    Monteman Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 9, 2006
    2,345
    Santa Barbara, CA
    Full Name:
    Monte
    +1
     
  4. MRONY

    MRONY Formula Junior

    Mar 17, 2007
    707
    New York City
    Full Name:
    Mike O.
    They seem to make a wide range -- from dyes to Rejuvenator to Prisitne Clean. This is for leather in very good condition.
     
  5. coledoggy

    coledoggy Formula 3

    Apr 8, 2007
    2,185
    ole miss
    Full Name:
    todd
    i use leatherique, but it is messy.
     
  6. rvficklen

    rvficklen Karting

    Apr 8, 2007
    88
    McDonough, GA
    Full Name:
    Randy Ficklen
    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.
     
  7. Ferrari Fanatic

    Ferrari Fanatic Formula 3

    Apr 2, 2003
    1,317
    SoCal
    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.
     
  8. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
    20,958
    MD and NE
    Full Name:
    Robbie
    #8 285ferrari, Apr 24, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    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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  9. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,044
    USA
    +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.
     
  10. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed


    How do you drive with that on though :) :) :)
     
  11. Ferrari Fanatic

    Ferrari Fanatic Formula 3

    Apr 2, 2003
    1,317
    SoCal
    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?
     
  12. 348SStb

    348SStb F1 Rookie
    Owner

    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
     
  13. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Sep 11, 2004
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    Robbie
    Front mounted camera...:D
     
  14. mwhitesell

    mwhitesell Formula 3

    Sep 17, 2006
    1,083
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Mark

    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.
     
  15. Vegas-Guy

    Vegas-Guy Formula 3

    Nov 25, 2007
    1,828
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    Reg
    Can you get this anywhere? If not where is the best place to get it?
     
  16. mwhitesell

    mwhitesell Formula 3

    Sep 17, 2006
    1,083
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Mark

    Only here that I know of...


    http://www.leatherique.com

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

    vvassallo F1 Veteran

    Aug 4, 2006
    8,324
    Palos Verdes
    Full Name:
    Vince V
    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.
     
  18. MRONY

    MRONY Formula Junior

    Mar 17, 2007
    707
    New York City
    Full Name:
    Mike O.
    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!
     
  19. Thunberg

    Thunberg Karting

    Jun 19, 2004
    65
    RI
    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.
     
  20. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,594
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    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.
     
  21. hank sound

    hank sound F1 Veteran

    Jan 31, 2004
    5,953
    Burbank, CA
    Full Name:
    Hank Garfield
    #21 hank sound, Apr 24, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    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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  22. Juan-Manuel Fantango

    Juan-Manuel Fantango F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 18, 2004
    14,616
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    Juan
    I used leatherique on my leather couch and chair, what an awesome product. If I was Victor Kiam, I'ld buy the company...
     
  23. Dragster

    Dragster Formula Junior

    Jun 8, 2007
    501
    Charlotte, NC
    Anyone tried Zaino's leather care products? Curious to see how they compare to Leatherique (which I've never used)...
     
  24. Skipper

    Skipper Formula Junior

    Sep 24, 2006
    451
    Full Name:
    Frank Drebin
    how much is the dash fix on the 355
    complete dash redo i mean?
     
  25. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,044
    USA
    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.
     

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