Another Shrinking Dash - Opinions
#1
Another Shrinking Dash - Opinions
So I have read the 16 page shrinking dash thread. I see 1 or 2 people were able to stretch their dash back into place. Well I have an 07 XKR that I just got from Texas, this one is pretty bad. I happen to have a windshield guy at my shop so I pulled the windshield for $125 R&R to see what I can do. Now my question is for those who have "stretched" their dash back into place is: how far stretched was yours to begin with? I did not see any before and after pics. Of course I need a speaker grill too which seem to run $150 from Jag. The drivers side is good an attached. See attached pics.
#2
fast feline,
I had a similar problem, and I've written many of the posts regarding repair and restretching of the dash. Originally, before your dash leather "shrunk," the leather stretched just enough to cover the front lip, there was not enough to wrap around the underside. When the adhesive gave up on the front lip, that's when all of the issues begin. You need to get it stretched back to that front lip where a long nosed upholstery air stapler can shoot staples through the leather into the front lip of the dash. It also needs staples all the way around the center speaker into the frame. Once this has been done, the leather is anchored forever, and can't move (shrink). It's been about five years since I did mine with the dash removed, and it still looks perfect even though I can tell that there are areas where the adhesive has given up. But with the anchoring of the staples there is nowhere for the leather to retract. Although, I had had my dash removed while I was having other work done on my car, and I took it to my long time furniture upholsterer, I postulated that with the windshield removed, I thought there would be enough room to use a long nosed upholstery stapler to do the required anchoring. I would suggest that you find a local upholsterer with a portable air compressor who can come to where your car is, lay new adhesive and do the stapling. It can be done.
I had a similar problem, and I've written many of the posts regarding repair and restretching of the dash. Originally, before your dash leather "shrunk," the leather stretched just enough to cover the front lip, there was not enough to wrap around the underside. When the adhesive gave up on the front lip, that's when all of the issues begin. You need to get it stretched back to that front lip where a long nosed upholstery air stapler can shoot staples through the leather into the front lip of the dash. It also needs staples all the way around the center speaker into the frame. Once this has been done, the leather is anchored forever, and can't move (shrink). It's been about five years since I did mine with the dash removed, and it still looks perfect even though I can tell that there are areas where the adhesive has given up. But with the anchoring of the staples there is nowhere for the leather to retract. Although, I had had my dash removed while I was having other work done on my car, and I took it to my long time furniture upholsterer, I postulated that with the windshield removed, I thought there would be enough room to use a long nosed upholstery stapler to do the required anchoring. I would suggest that you find a local upholsterer with a portable air compressor who can come to where your car is, lay new adhesive and do the stapling. It can be done.
Last edited by tberg; 07-13-2018 at 10:49 PM.
#3
But, I just bought the C2C15291AMT (Oyster) version that is still available for $36.37 which you can then spray dye charcoal.
Hope that helps,
Dave
#4
FYI, according to my source the LEG (dark Charcoal) is discontinued and was last priced at $143.26.
But, I just bought the C2C15291AMT (Oyster) version that is still available for $36.37 which you can then spray dye charcoal.
Hope that helps,
Dave
But, I just bought the C2C15291AMT (Oyster) version that is still available for $36.37 which you can then spray dye charcoal.
Hope that helps,
Dave
2007-2015 Jaguar XK R S Dash Center Speaker Cover Grille C2C15291LEG 6W83-04454-A LEG small cracked: Jaguar Used Parts, Auto Body Supplies, Salvage Car Wrecking Junk Yard
https://www.sngbarratt.com/us/#!/Eng...4-65574bd0d700
Which part number are you using?
#5
Wow, I paid around $40 two years ago when I replaced my dash. I don't see it listed as discontinued since it was supplied with 2015 models, but spray dye would be a great solution in lieu of a new purchase, but there are a few out there:
2007-2015 Jaguar XK R S Dash Center Speaker Cover Grille C2C15291LEG 6W83-04454-A LEG small cracked: Jaguar Used Parts, Auto Body Supplies, Salvage Car Wrecking Junk Yard
https://www.sngbarratt.com/us/#!/Eng...4-65574bd0d700
Which part number are you using?
2007-2015 Jaguar XK R S Dash Center Speaker Cover Grille C2C15291LEG 6W83-04454-A LEG small cracked: Jaguar Used Parts, Auto Body Supplies, Salvage Car Wrecking Junk Yard
https://www.sngbarratt.com/us/#!/Eng...4-65574bd0d700
Which part number are you using?
Things have changed in 2 years..
I will call my parts manager dude Monday to confirm, but their "discontinued" markings have been 100% accurate so far.
Happy Saturday,
Dave
#6
Thanks tberg! Could you tell me the tools you used to stretch the dash back or if there is another thread you wrote about that you could you link me to.
10XKR - Good info! Ill be ordering that $36 interior oyster grill and paint it. I find it funny that Jaguar discontinued the charcoal as this seems to be the most popular interior color.
10XKR - Good info! Ill be ordering that $36 interior oyster grill and paint it. I find it funny that Jaguar discontinued the charcoal as this seems to be the most popular interior color.
#7
Thanks tberg! Could you tell me the tools you used to stretch the dash back or if there is another thread you wrote about that you could you link me to.
10XKR - Good info! Ill be ordering that $36 interior oyster grill and paint it. I find it funny that Jaguar discontinued the charcoal as this seems to be the most popular interior color.
10XKR - Good info! Ill be ordering that $36 interior oyster grill and paint it. I find it funny that Jaguar discontinued the charcoal as this seems to be the most popular interior color.
It is not that they "discontinued", it is just LEG is the most used Color (Warm Charcoal) and the stock on hand is used up faster, I assume with warranty claims etc.
Happy Saturday,
Dave
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#8
#9
Mandatory Amazon Link, LOL
Best $35 you can ever spend for preserving/rejuvenating your leather.
Happy Sunday,
Dave
The following users liked this post:
chazaroo (07-15-2018)
#10
fast feline,
My upholsterer simply pulled it back to its original shape and stapled it to the frame at the windshield edge and around the center speaker. The leather will stretch back. The staples will show when looking in from the windshield, however, I glued a flat leather braid in the same color that covered the edge and the staples.
My upholsterer simply pulled it back to its original shape and stapled it to the frame at the windshield edge and around the center speaker. The leather will stretch back. The staples will show when looking in from the windshield, however, I glued a flat leather braid in the same color that covered the edge and the staples.
The following users liked this post:
chazaroo (07-15-2018)
#11
fast feline,
My upholsterer simply pulled it back to its original shape and stapled it to the frame at the windshield edge and around the center speaker. The leather will stretch back. The staples will show when looking in from the windshield, however, I glued a flat leather braid in the same color that covered the edge and the staples.
My upholsterer simply pulled it back to its original shape and stapled it to the frame at the windshield edge and around the center speaker. The leather will stretch back. The staples will show when looking in from the windshield, however, I glued a flat leather braid in the same color that covered the edge and the staples.
#13
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#16
One thing to be careful with are the plastic defroster vents. After baking in the sun for years, the plastic is very fragile and can sometimes break just by touching it. So, if the stapler will reach the front lip without removing the vents, you are better off. Otherwise, you will be gluing pieces of the vents together to make it look whole as it will undoubtedly crack in handling.
#17
Yes what Tberg said Fragile doesn’t even describe those defrost vents... not to mention they don’t sell them separate from the dash, almost everyone that has ever had to get close to them is still waiting for someone to 3D print us some replacements. My passenger side one has a small hairline crack in it after removing them when making dash repair...
#20