How do I get this:
and
From this?
and this
The answer is some combination of "vinyl" and "thread", but how do you go about it? I tried welding the vinyl like that but it didn't work out at all.
How do I get this:
and
From this?
and this
The answer is some combination of "vinyl" and "thread", but how do you go about it? I tried welding the vinyl like that but it didn't work out at all.
If you're looking for exact reproduction of the molded and heat seamed door panels, it's probably not something you can do at home. Depending on what kind of car they are for, you may be able to get replacements from http://www.smsautofabrics.com/
As for the visors, the trouble there is you have to be able to sew through two layers of vinyl, plus the edging, plus the cardboard backing, so it would require an industrial sewing machine. Most any auto upholstery shop should be able to do them but again it would be difficult at home.
Nothing exact, just something that looks close to OE, but much nicer. Nothing exactly like those pictured either. Basically I want it to look like GM was pretending it actually looked like before they sent it to the lowest bidder and they stamped it out of plastic.
stuart in mn wrote: If you're looking for exact reproduction of the molded and heat seamed door panels, it's probably not something you can do at home. Depending on what kind of car they are for, you may be able to get replacements from http://www.smsautofabrics.com/ As for the visors, the trouble there is you have to be able to sew through two layers of vinyl, plus the edging, plus the cardboard backing, so it would require an industrial sewing machine. Most any auto upholstery shop should be able to do them but again it would be difficult at home.
^This. It's why even the big-time restoration shops farm the upholstery jobs out. They have the tools and the expertise.
I've done a couple of interiors with my Grandmother's Ca. 1923 hand crank Singer. Here's the Truck:
Which did you do, the door panel or the seats?
How about using the old cards as a base, the stretching a faux leather (or other) over it, and glue down with spray adhesive?
You might need a few well-placed mating seams, but not much else.
Disclaimer: I can't see your pics on my phone.
Looks like the new ribbed section is a separate fabricated panel overlaid onto the original. Note that the handle openings don't protrude as much as the ones in the original panel and there's a different number of horizontal lines. Depending on the window crank and door handle design they might rub.
Seat. Door panels would be done the same: Take apart the old one, use as a pattern, sew on the new. For the side panel thing, you're going to need to smooth out what you have there, I think, and then glue/sew down your material. If you don't smooth it down, then you'll probably have to sew down each of those rows. You might also put a layer of thin foam down and the material over that, with a little stitching. The sun visors should be pretty straight forward.
Saw an old Singer at the thrift shop today. Basically like mine, but with the electric motor accessory attachment and in a stand alone desk cabinet thing for $40.
Theres some really good tutorials and info by dan two lakes over on hotrodders.com
Im using them to build the custom panels for the elky. Everything has been available fairly local so far.
There are a few non-industrial machines which will handle auto upholstery. One of them is the Singer Slant-O-Matic. They have all-metal internals and are quite powerful. Mine is like this, a 500A model:
Or you could use contact cement and a heat gun and stretch vinyl fabric over the plastic molding it into the grooves!
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