BMW Z3 Leather Dashboard - Delaminated, shrunken, dry. Please help!

I recently purchased some old sun-dried and possibly water damaged leather dashboard components for my BMW Z3. The leather being a dashboard likely saw a lot of sun, and it's shrunken in certain areas and peeled up from the plastic substrate. It's dry, brittle, pruned, and slightly discolored compared to the material not exposed to the sun.

I am aware I'll likely need to go with this product. Kit-At5.ws - Auto Leather Rain & Sun Stiffness Restoration Kit But I wanted to get some extra insight before I tackle this project and potentially ruin the leather.

If I could get some direction or help on these topics, or any I missed, I would greatly appreciate it!!

1. It looks like I'll need to stretch the material significantly in some areas to get the edges of the leather to hang back over the plastic in a way they can be later secured - Is there any concern with stretching the material this much?

2. Should I pull all the panels off the plastic, refurb them, then try to re-attach them? Or is it better to make do with what I have and leave the leather on the plastic?

3. I'll need to eventually use some type of contact cement to get the leather to stick back down. Will any of the restore products hinder the adhesion?

Thanks!

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>>> 1. It looks like I'll need to stretch the material significantly in some areas to get the edges of the leather to hang back over the plastic in a way they can be later secured - Is there any concern with stretching the material this much?

When the leather is well hydrated with Hydrator-3.3 in combination with Fatliquor-5.0 stretching it will not be a problem.


>>> 2. Should I pull all the panels off the plastic, refurb them, then try to re-attach them? Or is it better to make do with what I have and leave the leather on the plastic?

Removing off the plastic and stretching during the Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 process back to the plastic frame will produce a better result.


3. I'll need to eventually use some type of contact cement to get the leather to stick back down. Will any of the restore products hinder the adhesion?

>>> Before the final fitting, the leather surface Fatliquor-5.0 of both sides are clean off with Hydrator-3.3, thus Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 for the final clean off is practice that both sides are free from any dry residue of Fatliquor-5.0. Note that any solvent-based contact cement will dry off the fat and oil. Use water based leather bond like Leather Doctor Bond-3D becomes part of the leather.

Attachment 8390
Roger Koh
Leather, Skin & Hair Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor / Coaching
web: www.leatherdoctor.com
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
email: [email protected]

having same care and same leather. wanted to ask OP (if still here) how it all worked out on the main course of cleaning it? do you have any photos left? sorry for posting on an old topic

If you post some pictures, we may discuss further . . .