I ordered the Ridies 8 piece leather kit several weeks ago. Today, I set about to get it done and pulled my interior apart. The shift boot plastic ring was broken on the drivers side in one place, so I super glued it and then ran a ring of black electrical tape around the bottom edge to keep it from happening again.


I hot glued it to hold it to the ring while I figure out how to staple it similar to the factory. How have any of you solved this problem, or have you done something creative here?

Also, on the center console:


Same problem. What have any of you used to adhere the leather to the brittle famous GM plastic? I have a Stanley T50 electric staple gun, but after checking several stores today, all I could come up with is 1/4" T50 staples, which are way too long. Do they make a 1/8"? After I get it secured, I can hit it with a heat gun and make it smooth as glass. (Side note: Isn't it cool when you uncover places where good Bowling Green folk signed your car?! Makes these jobs even more interesting!)

These are the staples that were in it:

Any idea what these are and how to punch them into the plastic?

Share your experiences and ideas with me. After this job is done and I am out of sunny 60+ degree days, I will park it for the winter and throw the Ridies Nappa seat covers on it.

Thanks!
D

 

I will not help much, I have had a professional to do it for me... I think hot glue is a good one, but I am not specialist.
good luck for the remaining.
TCFS

 

I used Goop adhesive to attach a leather cover to the console lid but only where it folds over the plastic, not on the top surface or edge. It was done in sections and allowed to dry for a day before doing another section, so far it's held fine for over ten years.

 

I actually saw this product at Lowe's while I was looking for staples. I think it was like 6 bucks for a tube. So after you used this product, did it hold up to a heat gun to get the edges tightened up? I was looking at the old one today, and there is definitely a sticky rubber cement type product that was used. I assume that was a product like Goop?

Thanks for the tip!
-D

 

I didn't need a heat gun because it was tight when finished, that's why it wasn't done all at once in one day. Goop isn't contact cement, something has to hold the parts together while the adhesive dries whereas contact cement bonds parts instantly when they are joined. I think Goop would resist heat better than contact cement but you should try whatever you decide on with some scrap material to make sure.

 

I have Ridies interior pieces including the center console cover and I just sandwiched the inside of the new leather cover against the plastic cover that screws in, it's been three plus years with no issues but I only drive around 3-4 thousand miles annually.

 

I have to say that thought crossed my mind. After working the leather around the molded plastic it does seem pretty tight. But I got looking around Amazon and think I am going to give these two items a try.


3M spray adhesive so I can work the leather exactly where I want it, and then I found these staples:



They measure pretty darn close to the original staple. They were about ten bucks for the box, but I also had to order the Spotnails pneumatic staple gun for $65. My gun is electric and only shoots 5/8 to 9/16" staples. The gun should be here next week and I'll see if I can stretch this cover and fasten it pretty close to stock. I'll post back when it gets here.

D