GLOCKer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- April 30, 2018
- Messages
- 549
- Reaction score
- 128
- Location
- ATL Area
- City, State
- Marietta, GA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Explorer Limited
Excellent job. That arm rest is precious, it's leather, only the rare Limited's have that. Take care of it, almost all others are torn at this age. The seats and top edge of the door panels are leather also, use a good conditioner for those.
BTW, that wood grain trim, uses a glue that is fairly hard at this age. Mine has it too, very rough shape, and the far right vent piece I removed a little at a time. The trim will come off, but the glue underneath may not come off fully, and would take a long time. I'd keep it as is, or buy trim from another 95-99 model with the same medium grey interior.
I have some pieces that I got painted 12+ years ago, through a group buy here, a carbon fiber dipping process. It looks awesome, and I'll be using it in my 98 Limited. But the radio bezel I did is the AWD/2WD version, without a 4WD switch. I don't think I'll need it because my truck will have the 4WD BW4406 transfer case before long. I'll eventually sell this bezel, hopefully to someone with plans for the similar CF trim etc.
I was shocked that the center console cover is "salvageable" on mine. I cleaned it up from nasty condition and plan on conditioning all of the leather surfaces in the Ex. I have two concerns with the leather in my Limited:
1.) The driver seat has a blotch of red paint on it. (I'll try solvents, working with weaker solvents progressing to harsher solvents until it's off.)
2.) The steering wheel is actually in good shape but the leather feels rough to the touch and has black gunk rubbed into it.
I've been debating about what to do with the wood trim and I think I've decided to just clean it up. I've been concerned about trying to remove it and tearing up the surfaces they are stuck on.