Already impressed by the leather visors & console saddle provided by Mr. Mike's, and not wanting to end up with mismatched colors, I purchased a sheet of leather from them as well.
Sourmug's technique (see above link) was used to strip down, clean, and re-create the squishy layer which hides under the cover. We stopped short of re-attaching the vinyl however, keeping only the area which sits directly behind the latch handle. The same polyurethane adhesive was used to glue this one enduring piece of the vinyl to the door's skeleton. (the shiney stuff is some ¼" foam carpet undermatting that was lying about in the garage, and felt like dontaing itself to this project)
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his: 1985 2M6 SE mostly stock, but becoming more my creation than GM's with each passing day
hers: 1984 2M4 all stock... with plans for something bigger in the future
[This message has been edited by dguy (edited 03-25-2004).]
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08:29 AM
PFF
System Bot
dguy Member
Posts: 2416 From: Beckwith Township, ON, Canada Registered: Jan 2003
Now grab a needle, some heavy thread, and start sewing.
As you sew, pull the leather in tight against the raised lip. Once an edge is complete, trim the edge of the leather so that it is flush with the raised edge of the door.
[This message has been edited by dguy (edited 03-25-2004).]
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08:38 AM
dguy Member
Posts: 2416 From: Beckwith Township, ON, Canada Registered: Jan 2003
Once finished all four edges, you'll have a little "ear" at each corner. Trim away the excess material, leaving enough so that you can pull it in tight and stitch it down. More or less pinching & rounding the corner of the box cover.
Here's a close-up of one of the corners in progress. It should be noted that when drilling the holes, the top two corners of the box's door require long holes to be carefully drilled through the mysterious plastic blocks which are only present at the top of the door.
[This message has been edited by dguy (edited 03-25-2004).]
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08:41 AM
dguy Member
Posts: 2416 From: Beckwith Township, ON, Canada Registered: Jan 2003
Using the sharpest knife you can find, trim away the leather which is hiding the latch hole, and re-install the latch. Use your imagination to finish off the seam between the leather & the vinyl "insert". We chose to use a piece of leftover leather, cut it to the same size & shape as the hood ornament, and glue it on with fabric cement.
[This message has been edited by dguy (edited 03-25-2004).]
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08:45 AM
dguy Member
Posts: 2416 From: Beckwith Township, ON, Canada Registered: Jan 2003
I just kept refreshing my browser to watch you post this. Very nice, premium work!!!
------------------ John DuRette Black 85 SE, undergoing work as we speak! Battery re-located up front using a V8 Archie box Remote Start/Window Rollup/Lock/Trunk Release/Alarm White Gauge Faces w/120 MPH Speedometer Conversion Hidden Antenna Urethane Suspension Bushings Sequential Tallights Custom Painted Dash Panels Oreif's painted door tabs and horn button Shortened Automatic Shifter w/Beretta shiftknob SpyHunter Intake Scoop H4 Headlight Conversion - done right! LED Third Brake Light/Custom Headliner Thunderbird Turbo hood scoops Braided Steel Brake Hoses Lowered an inch
Still not on the road!
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08:57 AM
dguy Member
Posts: 2416 From: Beckwith Township, ON, Canada Registered: Jan 2003
Originally posted by USFiero: I just kept refreshing my browser to watch you post this. Very nice, premium work!!!
Thanks! Though I can't take all the credit. Just in case she's watching , my wife did most of the sewing, and came up with the idea for the trim piece around the latch.
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09:11 AM
Scott-Wa Member
Posts: 5392 From: Tacoma, WA, USA Registered: Mar 2002
As I understand it wetting the leather will allow it to streach. Once it dries it will shrink slightly making a tighter fit.
That's what I suspected, but I wasn't sure. :insert memories of getting caught by one hell of a t-storm, while on my motorcycle, and about 30 minutes from home here:
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Once again, nice job it really looks great.
Thanks for sharing your reconstruction fix.
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Originally posted by dguy:
What advantages are there to getting it wet?
Well now I'm disappointed. I baited the dirty mind hook, but no one bit. I must be slipping.
Great job, wetting the leather will also alow it to mold to the part better. My wife loves decorating shows, I don’t mind because I spend time on the computer. But every now and then she will find something that I might be able to use on the car and I will watch. It was such a show that I saw a mask covered in leather and some very intricate curves put into it. They wet the leather and molded it with their hands, when it dried it retained the shape.
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10:30 AM
Apr 1st, 2004
The_Ikon Member
Posts: 629 From: Mississippi, USA Registered: Mar 2004
Though I can't take all the credit. Just in case she's watching 
