help with puting upholstery on my eclipse

September 17, 2009

I started making plans on how this is going to look and I noticed how flat the grooves were on the door panels. I have a feeling that when I put the material on the door panel that I will be able to see the ends. and I dont like the flat look

I want it to look like this. except with white. you can see how it curves in around that same area.

October 3, 2009

Without seeing it up close, it looks like the blue/black door has been foamed in the insert sections. Use a dense Volara foam (sanded on both sides) and glue it in place. That leaves a channel around the edge to tuck the vinyl into. Just gluing flat looks very unprofessional. Like it's done in a garage.

Another possibility with this one since it has a complete perimeter would be to cut out the center. Then foam it and wrap it all the way around the lip (I like to staple to the backside for added insurance). Then use ABS strips cemented to the back of the door panel holding the insert in place. That's how a lot of factory doors are inserted anyway. They have plastic nubs that are melted through holes. That attaches the insert into the door. A good epoxy is plastic weld from Kent Automotive. I use only it to reattach door inserts.

tint_detective · October 3, 2009

Without seeing it up close, it looks like the blue/black door has been foamed in the insert sections. Use a dense Volara foam (sanded on both sides) and glue it in place. That leaves a channel around the edge to tuck the vinyl into. Just gluing flat looks very unprofessional. Like it's done in a garage.
Another possibility with this one since it has a complete perimeter would be to cut out the center. Then foam it and wrap it all the way around the lip (I like to staple to the backside for added insurance). Then use ABS strips cemented to the back of the door panel holding the insert in place. That's how a lot of factory doors are inserted anyway. They have plastic nubs that are melted through holes. That attaches the insert into the door. A good epoxy is plastic weld from Kent Automotive. I use only it to reattach door inserts.

I agree... I think it would look better, if the insert was cut out and wrapped... I like to put a little contrasting stitching around them too, just to break things up a bit.......

I use Kent products as well... :shiz

October 7, 2009

well unfortunatley it will be done in a garage but I am going for a decent look. why and how would I sand the foam and glue it using what? I've read some of your other posts and saw that you let your glue dry and then reactivate it, but would that be the same for the foam?

were would I get abs strips from? I also lean on the panel a good amount, will that maybe loosen the panel after it been put back into place?

Thanks

October 7, 2009

look all you have to do is get spray glue that 3m makes 90superspray it come out like spray string go to local faberic stop get foam what what ever thickness you need . then pop out the insert out of the door clean them to get the crape you put on the doors that you keep them clean on a weekly basis then once the there clean take the foam cut to shape and then spray the glue on the insert and the foam and then let the glue set up a minute or two and the lay foam on insert once that is done the spray the top of the foam and back side of your leather or what ever material you have

you then slow start a top or bottom of the insert and start strechting the material some time depending on curve you need to take a heat gun very carefully heat it up and strecht it but get to hot and when strechting material will pull a hole in it and your done

once you covered the insert and all wrinkles gone you spray the back of the insert and wrap the rest of the material on the back side and glue holds it down if you can on some panels I also use a air stapler to also keep the material secure but not allways about to make staple hold in plastic

any question email me at fredstinting@yahoo.com

October 8, 2009

I know I'll be hated for going against another's advice, but, you could do that, Fred, and it would last awhile. When I do upholstery for customers, the intent is that it will not bag, droop, sag or come loose until they decide to redo their interior. While the process you describe works, and it is basically the same thing we have been saying, you're using subpar, non-professional, inadequate materials for a job that should be done right and nice to add to the value of the car. I've seen lots of junk at car shows. Sometimes they even win the class. But take the time to do it right, especially when you have the resources to find out how it's done. Go ahead and hate me now. But my customers for the last decade appreciate how I do the work.

tint_detective · October 8, 2009

I know I'll be hated for going against another's advice, but, you could do that, Fred, and it would last awhile. When I do upholstery for customers, the intent is that it will not bag, droop, sag or come loose until they decide to redo their interior. While the process you describe works, and it is basically the same thing we have been saying, you're using subpar, non-professional, inadequate materials for a job that should be done right and nice to add to the value of the car. I've seen lots of junk at car shows. Sometimes they even win the class. But take the time to do it right, especially when you have the resources to find out how it's done. Go ahead and hate me now. But my customers for the last decade appreciate how I do the work.

:beer