Eaglemoss 1:8 Scale Aston Martin DB5, Part 10, Interior Door Panels

Particularly at 1:8 scale, the black plastic interior door panels are pretty disappointing in details. That crude area that's supposed to be a pocket is especially unconvincing.

I had already committed to a grey leather interior so this would have to be covered anyway. The area along the top of the door is, as far as I can tell, painted gloss on the real car, matching that area above and around the main instruments on the dash. The area below the pocket is likewise a black material, probably painted but possible rubber or plastic. The rest needs to be the interior grey leather, including the armrest.

The line along the door this image highlights is a piping bead. Some cars have two tones of leather above and below this detail. I'll add the piping, matching the seat I already did. 

Note how huge the molded bulge is. What's the deal with that? 

Anyway, I trimmed a piece of tape to this shape so I can find it later on both doors.

I put the tape an a piece of card stock and cut that out. That gives me the path of that piping.

Next I masked off the areas I plan to leave without grey leather.

Now for the scary part. There's no going back from this.

By grinding and sanding, I got rid of all the raised features leaving the door panel mainly flat. Where the pocket is that leaves a hole, which will be convenient later. I'll use that mystery groove the part includes as the guide for the piping.

On with the leather, a little at a time, stretching it tight.

Here's the end result. I was meaning the go right up to that chrome trim piece but my knife found a groove a little above it. Obviously I couldn't see under the material when doing to trimming. I think I can work with this though.

The armrest is yet to be covered. It's just loose fit in place here. And the leather color is different in different light, later in the day.

I made another paper template for the pocket so that it will be the same on both sides. I want to fold over the edges of the leather. That will be difficult, but hopefully a good look. 

Here's the finished left door panel in a very unforgiving close up photo. I think it will look pretty good in the car though. And the pocket is real so there's a good place for Bond to stash his fake passports, microfilm and pistol or whatever.

I've never done anything like this before, the leather work that is. It's not as difficult as one might think, at least to get a somewhat flawed but pretty good at a glance result. It feels like the sort of thing one could get good at and really make a difference in the finished product. I'm certainly glad I did it.

See all the posts for this project here.