The MGA With An Attitude
Recovering the DASH With LEATHER -- DT-110A
MGA Dashboard Restoration - By Ahmed EL Abasiry
On June 21, 2022, Ahmed EL Abasiry in Calgary, Alberta, Canada wrote:
"I wrapped my dashboard in leather. What a transformation"!
Will skip the bits about repairing the damaged steel dash panel, and jump right into the clean-up and covering process.
"My '58 came with painted dash, but I thought of adding a bit of sizzle with a covered dash so I got this old dash to play with.
Stripped the rust and old paint (wire brush):
![](pics/leather_1s.jpg)
![](pics/leather_2s.jpg)
Sprayed it in black etch primer and painted the back white to match the car:
![](pics/leather_3s.jpg)
Dashes from the factory were covered in Vinyl, but I bought a 1x4 ft section of leather with my interior kit to use on the dash. I think leather will look much nicer. Can't beat the smell or grain looks Laying out the dash on the leather and tracing the outline and holes.
![](pics/leather_4s.jpg)
Factory covered the dash using two separate piece of vinyl. I don't really know their reason for doing so, but I will do it in one piece. Here's after gluing half of it:
![](pics/leather_5s.jpg)
and the back side
![](pics/leather_6s.jpg)
I used an old, rounded plastic chop stick to make the leather conform to the recesses of the dials, switches, etc
![](pics/leather_7s.jpg)
Then clamped some sockets and other round objects on all the recesses until the glue dried. I also clamped the radio blanking plate between two pieces of wood. A woodworking saying comes to mind: "The one with most clamps win!"
![](pics/leather_8s.jpg)
And after the glue dried over night:
![](pics/leather_9s.jpg)
I then traced the width of the lip on the leather to give me an idea where to trim. I will wrap around the edge of the dashboard for extra strength.
![](pics/leather_10s.jpg)
![](pics/leather_11s.jpg)
and marked the mounting ears for cutting:
![](pics/leather_12s.jpg)
![](pics/leather_13s.jpg)
Trimmed the leather and applied glue to the edge of the dash and the leather:
![](pics/leather_14s.jpg)
![](pics/leather_15s.jpg)
Folded the edge then clamped with a million clips (cushioned by folded pieces of cardboard):
![](pics/leather_16s.jpg)
![](pics/leather_17s.jpg)
Front view after it was all glued:
![](pics/leather_18s.jpg)
and rear view:
![](pics/leather_19s.jpg)
Cutting the opening for the speaker grille and horn:
![](pics/leather_20s.jpg)
then glued around the edges:
![](pics/leather_21s.jpg)
![](pics/leather_22s.jpg)
Drilled and riveted the speaker surround and finishing strip (the finishing strip needed quite a bit of msssaging to conform to the dash curves!)
![](pics/leather_23s.jpg)
and drum roll for the finished product:
![](pics/leather_24s.jpg)
I deleted the panel dimmer pot and replaced it with a knob to operate the overdrive in my gearbox.
![](pics/leather_25s.jpg)
I also decided to keep the radio blanking plate in black. gives a nice contrast instead of a "sea of red". Overall, a very satisfying project and came out great. I am still hooked on the smell of leather (and glue!)
![](pics/leather_26s.jpg)
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