Finally getting to this little project

[bradp]

I'll let you know how it turns out.  

Thanks in advance to PTK for some tips.  

 

 

Almost forgot the most important part ...

[M20F]

I would suggest a lager might be more appropriate than an IPA for this type of work.

[bonal]

perhaps some single malt scotch would be best in this situation a Macallans goes best with fine leather. Look forward to the after pics

[RLCarter]

Leather to beverage ratio might need correcting, just say'n.

[bradp]

Leather to beverage ratio was addressed.  

Took about 8 hrs of tedious work and I'm not quite done. Many Netflix episodes of various things were on in the background.   

Stretching the leather was like trying to get spandex on an elephant.  

Pretty happy with the result.  Had to put the yoke back on for a flight.  Going to finish with a to panel to keep the suture lines along the corners instead of the middle of the yoke.  Then put the caps back on.   That's why there's extra material at the top of the horns.  Finally I'm going to have the same Classic Mooney bird embroidered in leather for the front plate.  Fun stuff. 

 

[M20F]

23 minutes ago, bradp said:

Leather to beverage ratio was addressed.  

Not so sure about that, stitching looks awfully straight.  Might need to increase beverage intake.

[KSMooniac]

Nice work!

[RLCarter]

Nice work, getting back side of the leather damp helps with the stretching plus as it drys it tightens up a little 

[Guest]

"Stretching the leather was like trying to get spandex on an elephant"

Marauder may have some suggestions for ease of installation. But please no pictures.

Clarence

[Marauder]

"Stretching the leather was like trying to get spandex on an elephant"

Marauder may have some suggestions for ease of installation. But please no pictures.

Clarence

Piece of cake!

Lots of lubricants!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bradp]

Didn't come out so bad.  Only like 15hrs of toiling.  At least everything works.  I was going to put leather on the insignia piece but now I'm not so sure.  I kind of like the black contrast with the black panel.  Maybe I'll just re do the border in black or charcoal leather.   

[carusoam]

Brad's got some skills!

That's just the warm up.  Have you seen some of the leather chairs that have been updated around here?

Scott with the spare J in Kansas used to have a few hides of leather for sale.,,

Best regards,

-a-

[bradp]

I'm going to replace the leather on the side panel of the door and clean up / repair the ABS to just to see how much of a project a DIY interior would be. At that point I'll probably decide to do the plastic / carpet and sidewalls myself and probably do Airtrex for the seats.  

Fun projects though.  I like DIY.   My wife I'm not so sure.   I get a lot of eye rolling when I rattle off all these projects I want to do.  

[carusoam]

Some wives appreciate it when it's done.  They don't like broken and raggy parts at 9,000 ft...

Raggy trim at the door where everyone enters is a highly undesirable memory that last for decades....

combine raggy interior with an odd sounding valve on start-up, your family (Dad) will remind you of it for years to come.  Even after you own a shiny new to you long body.....

New rug is easy at annual time.  Sidewalls were an immediate improvement.  New and snazzy door welting is nice because the old one can be really raggy and highly visible as everyone enters the plane.

Plastic panels are more skill intense.  I started with the new door panels and trimmed and trimmed and then sold the panels with the plane.  I still wish MS was available back then....

Best regards,

-a-

[PTK]

On March 10, 2016 at 11:06 PM, bradp said:

Didn't come out so bad.  Only like 15hrs of toiling.  At least everything works.  I was going to put leather on the insignia piece but now I'm not so sure.  I kind of like the black contrast with the black panel.  Maybe I'll just re do the border in black or charcoal leather.   

That looks great Brad! 

As for the plastics here's some info: