Hi guys We are looking to have our 458 dash upholstered to add contrast stitching. Anyone here done this? Anyone removed the leather dash components and either used a different color or added contrast stitching? Does the entire dash need to be removed? thanks
The drivers binnacle is easily removed. The passenger side cover with the air bag in it is not so easy as there are a few hidden screws that take skill to get out and a clip that can easily break. Glove box has to come out also. Are you just doing the upper dash or the lower portion too such as hvac cover and glove box etc... I have a thread on dash leather that details the binnacle removal as asked for by another member. I would be interested to hear who does your leather work and the approx cost.
Hey DoubleDD, I think we will do the upper and lower dash pieces. It looks like we can remove just the leather portions with the stitching and not have to pull the entire dashboard out. Does that sound right?
Mine is still apart as my sticky buttons shipped out today from Sticky RX. I will upload a few pictures tomorrow of all the panels and pieces.
I have some photos showing the under side of the main dash pad on the right and I also have a spare binnacle here for sale if you are interested. As mentioned, the binnacle comes off relatively easy, but the other side is a bigger job. Ray
Here are a few photos I had saved, back from when I was getting ready to do this job on my 458. It will at least give you an idea of where the attaching points are. I'm also including a PDF which might be helpful. Who are you using for the actual reupholstery work? Finding companies that know what they are doing is not easy. You also want to check into what specific fabrics (and which threads) they are going to be using. Not all threads are created equal. A lot of companies skimp and use Nylon thread in my experience; but polyester is a better choice (if I recall my research correctly). Also, on the Ferrari dash, there is a foam layer, which needs to be put down. Not all foams are the same. For my binnacle, I had to order half a dozen different foams before I found one which mimicked the correct feel and thickness of the foam Ferrari used. If you search Ferrarichat, I have an old thread some place that covers a lot of what I was preparing to do. Another thing, keep in mind contrasting stitching on the dash will reflect up into the windshield. One of the reasons I was going to cover my dash in Alcantara was so I could also switch to black stitching up there. Anyway, if you need any help or anything, feel free to post questions here. If you remove the panels yourself, go slow and be careful. I've seen lots of panels with cracked mounting points, so that tells you something. Also, when I spoke to a Ferrari tech who had actually done the job himself, he indicated the hardest part was the couple of 10mm bolts in the back of the large panel. Don't forget there is an air bag under there also (be sure to disconnect the battery while working). By the way, there's also a guy named TJ Hunt on YouTube who recently rebuilt a wrecked 458 Italia into a 458 GT street car. If you go check his videos, there are some which include taking the dash apart. Ray Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
my 2011 458 italia , mint, only 3100 miles and never in sun, has some "bubbles", leather separating from the plastic base over the tach section of dash cover. Question - can this leather just be re-glued? or do you need to cover with all new leather and stitching? would heating up the leather w/ heat gun while it is in place help it to re-attach ( heat up the glue) ? If it does need to be removed, what dose something like that cost? Thank you in advance!
Your idea of heating to reactivate the glue seems plausible, yes. I have a links to a couple of companies that can recover the dash if you need them. I don't know of the cost off hand, but usually it's between $800 and $2000 plus there would be labor to remove the dash parts, which can be rather time consuming on the 458 from what I have seen. Ray
Reheating the leather with hopes to readhere does not provide a long term solution. Heating the leather may make the leather softer and it might lay flat for a little while, but then will lift again once it cools down and reverts to its previous shape. I had bubbles in the passenger dash section and we pulled the leather to find that the foam had failed, thus causing the glue to fail as well. We added some new foam and then reglued the whole thing. Cost was just about 1500 iirc. My binnacle had shrunk and was pulling at the front edge, which was cut, restitched and then reglued.
