Crashpad refurbish

[Donels]

Following the tales of poorly fitting new +2 crashpads on this forum I decided to have a go at refurbishing my old one. The following is the method, with pics, I've used if anyone wants to have a go.

The existing vinyl was cracked and brittle but easily removed with a sharp putty knife. Before removing make a cardboard template of the inner profile.

You’re left with the floppy form core which I the coated with a couple of layers of tissue to stiffen it a little.

Using the cardboard template check the profile. I found mine had straightened at the ends which can be corrected with a couple of saw cuts part way through to give the correct profile. Then hold in place and apply a layer of matting.

Then apply matting on upper and lower surfaces, sand smooth and apply Hi-build primer followed by sanding to give a smooth finish.

Then get it trimmed with scrim foam and leather.

It takes a while but very rewarding.

[alanr]

Very well done.
It looks lovely!

Alan.

[Lyn7]

Well done. It's amazing what can be achieved with a little patience and application.

[pharriso]

You get a Blue Peter badge for this, very well done!

[ill_will]

Nice job!

[nmauduit]

stunning result! at least from here... the final cover looks very convincing : did you make it yourself (needs a special sewing machine ?), or would you mention where you sourced it ? would you add a close up photo of the grain (and possibly the rear of spare bit if available)? thank you !

[baileyman]

Nicely done. Suggests technique I had not considered but will.

Seeing your workbench, Ron Hickman smiles. John

[Donels]

stunning result! at least from here... the final cover looks very convincing : did you make it yourself (needs a special sewing machine ?), or would you mention where you sourced it ? would you add a close up photo of the grain (and possibly the rear of spare bit if available)? thank you !

It’s a fairly course grain leather, widely available from Martrim, or Aldridge Trimmers. The guy that trimmed it is Mark Menzfield of Car Trimmers in Hinckley. Lovely chap and very competitively priced. I’ll add some more pics.

[Quart Meg Miles]

Rod Little published his efforts with a S1 in "Restoration of 26/0086 unit 3067" in 2010 and it is on the first page. It is a different approach but both have resulted in fine end products and are to be applauded.

[elanfan1]

Definitely!

Well deserved.

[spyzee]

Bit of a timely as I was seriously contemplating doing mine/having it recovered. Nice job by the way and I'm interested in how the corners fit into the door lining. Mine just hang there without any anchoring and I can't see how they should fit/tuck in/screw in or whatever. Does anyone have some pics please?
regards,
Colin

[stugilmour]

Very nicely done!

Another forum member sent me a link to this eBay UK supplier. You can search all his other listings on ‘Lotus Elan’ to see various matched leather skins, door panels, console coverings, etc for various Elans, including the M100. The items look pretty nice, and are available in different stitching colours. Looks like they ship internationally. Might make a nice option, although not stock appearance I guess.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/354826893783?ha ... xy9X5TbI8b

I have a question though. Were there two different crash pads for the Plus 2 depending on the interior generation? My ‘69 Federal crash pad looks different, being a thin molded plastic affair similar to the first generation non-upholstered console. I didn’t know the crash pads changed with the interior update?

Stu in Calgary under six inches of fresh snow

[h20hamelan]

72

68

the 68 is leather like, and much nicer

[h20hamelan]

should have added, haven't taken the 68 apart
but they seem similar, other than the 68 is glass fibre and the 72 is foam

edit: similar to the centre consoles

[Donels]

Additional pics as requested.