All, Searched our forum by did not find this in any of the 29 boot threads. My 1999 355 F1 convertible boot cover leather is in great shape. The underside material is sort of made of a light foam fabric that is deteriorating. I can feel that material flying round in the wind and it gets in the carpet and my eyes (oh boo hoo). The question, has anyone ever replaced or found a spray to reinforce this flexible liner? Thanks. Boaf
I tried to seek out various options from different upholsterers and the like to no avail. Ended up carefully removing the decintigrating yellow backing from the leather boot with scissors and a craft knife. It was possible to remove every minute piece of material from around the stitched edges with no issues. However, if you do undertake this, give yourself plenty of time, be patient and work outside as you don't want any of the excess powdered material in your home! The underside of the leather boot is very soft and does not harm the folded top when fitted. As a plus, the boot is easier to fit over the top and much easier to snap down. Another option is to find a new/used one on eBay but chances are it will start to come apart at some point down the road.
I have the space problem and have contacted a few of the companies that make reproductions and while all were willing to sell me a new one, none were willing to tackly replacing the foam until recently. I contacted "Rich and Famous" here in the LA area after recommendations from a few local FChaters and they have stated that they can do it for me. I just need to bring mine in to get a price and I have been too lazy to do so. If you are interested in it as well, I can stop by their shop in the next week or two and ask them for a price for multiple covers.
just a thought....could you not 'shave' the foam backing off with a electric razer (adjustable for height) made for hair cutting? Then get some 1/8" depth soft foam sheets from the craft store and rubber glue a backing back on........
Thanks, That thought has crossed my mind. I have to really look at that cover in further detail. Boaf
Thanks for the offer to have it re-surfaced. I may wind up removing the material on the underside. Boaf
I suppose you could. Mine had pretty much dryed out completely so I was left with clumps of yellow dust that simply needed to be vacuumed up. The rest, as I said, came away using scissors and a craft knife. Looking at it from the standpoint of replacing the material with something similar; this could lead to a lot of expense and possibly incorrect stitching if you were going to try and make the top look factory new. As far as gluing material to the leather backing? I think that might ruin the leather itself. At this point you might be better off buying NOS but then again, you might be back to the same old mess down the road. Remove the old material thouroghly and you won't look back!
I would be interested. Would like to see the finished product first. If you do yours post some pictures.
Thanks, taking a better look later. I really only saw one bad area, but sure that it is a predecessor of things to come. Boaf
