Dash Skin

[lotuska]

Just browsing ebay and spotted these, never seen these before:

YELLOW-STITCH-DASH-DASHBOARD-LEATHER

Not sure if its my sort of thing, but interesting and possible solution if you want to smarten up a dash that's look a bit old and worn.

[dapinky]

It's a recent addition to their catalogue - and will match the other trims/gaters that they make - oddly enough, I was perusing their website this afternoon looking at their door pockets, and I didn't see the dash covers

Doesn't seem a bad price for the work involved, and if you ask them, they'll do the stitching in any colour you like (as long as they can get it!)

[novacaine]

In my opinion, that has the potential to look very tacky

[dapinky]

Probably no different than any other leather trimmed dash - as with most of these things, it's going to be down to the skills of the trimmer/fitter......

.....I'm sure that someone taking proper care and removing the dash first, could do a decent job, but someone who hopes to fit it without taking the dash out will end up with a lesser result.

(That said, I won't be getting one myself)

[epipete]

I think that they might do better if they were to offer the work in range of colours, I'd consider a pale gray (and stitching) to go with my seats maybe!

[mitreklov]

I saw these and I have to say I think it would be pretty tricky to get the skin to hug all the ridges and contours of the dash.

I think I'll pass on this one.

Has anyone ever fitted any of their other products? I was thinking of replacing the gear stick gaiter and handbrake gaiter. How does the black look against the grey in our cars?

[tb10]

I saw these and I have to say I think it would be pretty tricky to get the skin to hug all the ridges and contours of the dash.

I think I'll pass on this one.

Has anyone ever fitted any of their other products? I was thinking of replacing the gear stick gaiter and handbrake gaiter. How does the black look against the grey in our cars?

Hi All,

I've bought both and they are fine. I did put some SLK seats in my car so I have black seats now so I cannot say how they would match the grey.

Regards

John

[lotos]

Post some pics of your dash, I'd love to see it installed. How much labor was it?

[Brit-Car-Nut]

I believe his "both" were the handbrake and gearshift gaiters.

It would be interesting to see the complete dash cover installed...

[lotos]

In my head, I'm firmly in the "this would be an endless job removing the dash, applying the cover, getting the wrinkles out, and reinstalling" camp. I imagine it being double-digit hours of labor but maybe I'm way off. That's a lot to add yellow stitching although I think it would be a tasteful look in our cars.

I forgot we could get the gaiters done. Mine are looking worse for wear, that is probably a quick job I'm assuming. Hmm.

[tb10]

I believe his "both" were the handbrake and gearshift gaiters.

It would be interesting to see the complete dash cover installed...

Correct!! Sorry for any confusion. Handbrake and Gear gaiters only!

Regards


John

[novacaine]

I've bought both and they are fine. I did put some SLK seats in my car so I have black seats now so I cannot say how they would match the grey

any pics of the SLK seat in your elan?

[alan e]

I have both gear stick and handbrake gaiters also door pockets fitted on mine the wire around the bottom of the handbrake gaiter is thin but the black leather looks good with yellow stitching, if you want to have a look i will be at the goodwood breakfast club on the 1st June.

[Elanlover]

I've installed their stuff on my car and its very good quality. Nice looking leather and good stitching. For those looking for different colours other than black just give them a call. They'll customize the colours and stitching for you. I'm currently talking to them about a dash cover for the FED version.

[Squirtydog]

Just installed gear stick gaiter, handbrake boot going in tomorrow. Quality product. Looks great in mine with red stitching. Thinner wire on the gaiter actually gives a better fit than original on mine.

The 'black' is just off black and is a good match for the black fascia. Does not clash with the grey at all.

[Enright]

Insert "this-thread-needs-more-pics" smiley here!

[epipete]

I'm currently talking to them about a dash cover for the FED version.

I hope amongst your questions will be: 'how to glue it down so that the summer heat doesn't 'lift' it '

I'd also love yo see some pics when it is installed

Pete

[Squirtydog]

[lotos]

I agree, that really looks great! What's involved with swapping the gaiter (and the handbrake one) ?

[Enright]

Swapping the gear lever gaiter is dead easy - if you push it down the gearstick it reveals a very small allen grubscrew at the bottom of the gearknob. Undo that and the gearknob simply unscrews, then with a bit of gentle teasing out of its recess, the gaiter will just lift off.

The handbrake gaiter is a bit more tricky - ideally the centre-console needs to come out. The gearknob should be off first.
There are a couple of crosshead screws in the bottom of the oddments tray underneath the armrest - remove them and lift out the tray.
Now you'll see 2 big screws securing the rear of the armrest to the chassis - take them out.
There are 2 similar screws hidden by the electric window switches. Gently prise the switches out, disconnect them and remove the screws.
The centre console should now be moving reasonably freely, but you need to unplug the mirror controls at the front (and the alarm LED if it has the standard early Lotus system).
At the back there is a piece of trim covered in carpet that slips under the map pocket. This can be slid out sideways.
The handbrake needs to be on fully - in fact you may even have to loosen it a bit to get it up at more of an angle, but with a bit of jiggling back and forth, and angling up and down, the centre console should now come out.

After all that lot, the handbrake gaiter just slides out!