Reupholstery Offical How-To Thread

[gr3k0sLaV]

A small guide on doing vinyl seats.
http://www.upholster.com/auto/truck.html
Not the best.

Basically I want to start a thread for people to contribute knowledge, experiences, photos, guides, links, etc on doing vinyl or other re-upholstery work on areas such as Roof Lining, flooring, seats, door trims, etc.

I'm planning on doing my door trims soon, so I will contribute when I start, but i'm a total novice.

And since there really isn't any sort of how-to's on upholstery it may be a good idea to start one.

Also can we possibly get a sticky on this thread?

[gr3k0sLaV]

well any takers? anyone done custom vinyl interior?

[spanky]

my friend and I did a little work on my old bmw when i had it. we took out all the hog rings and removed the whole vinyl. we took a seem ripper took outt the center vinyls.then we took the old center sections and put it on new blue vinyl.then my grandmother who was a sewstress seemed them back up and we used new hog rings and put them back in. it came out good for a first time.

[lostforawhile]

yea, i've done my entire interior except for putting in new carpet and doing the sun visors, i'm going to have the sunvisors done, and get the carpet this fall. just click on my car domain site in my signature. it's easier then posting pics. i would be glad to answer questions in this thread :) . one tip i can give you right away, use good glue, the stuff you buy at wal mart and home depot isn't for automotive applications, the heat and cool cycles inside a car will unstick it over time. use one you get from an upholstery shop, i use con bond, i think you can search for it on the internet, mine was bought through work. if you use this stuff what you stick will stay that way for good. it's the green glue like oem manufacturers use. if you decide to buy some, USE A RESPIRATOR!, not a dust mask or a hankerchief, i mean a cartridge respirator. It will make you sick in a hurry if you don't. I'm going to be doing my headliner over again for the third time in a couple of months, so if this thread is still going then i'll post some pics,or bring it back. i might do a sticky on that. i'm going to cover the bare cardboard with fiberglass mat first, so it won't wrinkle it being so old. then cover it in perforated vinyl to match the leather on my seats. http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050019_6.jpg

[gr3k0sLaV]

You've done a terrific job. No doubts there. How'd you learn how to sew?

[gr3k0sLaV]

I'm wanting to take out my headliner soon, next few days, don't know whether to paint is black, or strip it done, fibreglass it and then lay vinyl on it.

Same with the trimmings on the A, B & C pillars. They are filthy, they have paint and umm oil in them.

The oils still there from about 3 years ago when I did a spinout in a parking where about 9-10 bottles of oil had been dropped. I didn't; realise Ihad the window open.

The car was literally drenched with oil

[jigga89SEi]

I did mine back in the day, all by hand though... I'm gettin ready to redo the si seats I have in there now... But I"m not doin white again... Bein a mechanic and havin white interior is a bad combo... But here's what it used to look like...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_19.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_20.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_24.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_21.jpg

[lostforawhile]

You've done a terrific job. No doubts there. How'd you learn how to sew?my mom, and by nescesity i couldn't afford to have anyone else do it. :lol: th sewing isn't hard, what is hard to learn is how to strech material over odd ball shapes without showing the edges or wrinkles. like the plastic pieces at the top of the door. it just takes practice and learning how to place the edges. if you want to learn to do it get some practce material and good glue and see if you can get some damaged interior parts from a junk yard. doesn't have to be from a three g. just some parts to practice on. you could probably get them really cheap, most people don't buy that stuff. if you are going to do an entire interior sketch it out first and plan what you are going to do then when it gets to the point where you want to give up,which it will trust me,you won't lose your vision of what you want it to look like. that way you can take a break from it and still know where you left off.

[lostforawhile]

I'm wanting to take out my headliner soon, next few days, don't know whether to paint is black, or strip it done, fibreglass it and then lay vinyl on it.

Same with the trimmings on the A, B & C pillars. They are filthy, they have paint and umm oil in them.

The oils still there from about 3 years ago when I did a spinout in a parking where about 9-10 bottles of oil had been dropped. I didn't; realise Ihad the window open.

The car was literally drenched with oilthey make plastic prep cleaners for painting plastic, you should be able to get them at an auto paint supply store, they might remove that. also try non pumice go jo, that will remove it for sure. it emusifys the oil. can't spell today. the best thing to do is take that old material off the headliner, just be careful, it's just old cardboard. i'm going to try the fiberglass mat myself to make the cardboard stronger.

[lostforawhile]

I did mine back in the day, all by hand though... I'm gettin ready to redo the si seats I have in there now... But I"m not doin white again... Bein a mechanic and havin white interior is a bad combo... But here's what it used to look like...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_19.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_20.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_24.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_21.jpglooks good. i know what you mean, that's why i wanted leather, it comes clean.

[spanky]

I did mine back in the day, all by hand though... I'm gettin ready to redo the si seats I have in there now... But I"m not doin white again... Bein a mechanic and havin white interior is a bad combo... But here's what it used to look like...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_19.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_20.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_24.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/319000-319999/319269_21.jpg


this may sound stupid but is ur accord a convertable b/c in the top two it looks like there isnt a roof or back. just the pillars. or it might just be the pic.

[w00tw00t111]

Hey guys I would really really like to redo my interior my self. And when I asked about it a while ago a couple guys said that in order to save myself alot of hassle why not just take an automotive interior class at a community college. For the guys that have done it, do you think it is really that much of a necessity ? Or is it a little difficult but nothing a little perseverence will get you through? Also, what is the type of material that the Sparco seats use? It's not cloth, vinyl, or leather. I'm pretty sure it's not a neoprene-ish cloth but, I don't know. I like the way it looks. :) But I can't afford sparcos or waht I really want which is MOMO seats! :)

[lostforawhile]

if you take the class, it will be eaisier for you, plus you learn a new useful skill,
it would save you a lot of hassle to do that.

[Gemini2003]

Out of curiosity how much did the material cost? and any ther products you used in the making of.?

[lostforawhile]

well the leather was supposed to be a kit,it showed it being sewed on the internet,when i got it however,it was just flat cut pieces. the "kit" was on clearance for 70 bucks,some assembly required :sad2: they have one sim at jc whitney that sells for about 600 dollars. the rest of the fabric i had to buy from work, the blue at the top of the doors and in the quarters sells for about 50 bucks a yard,the tan in the door panels about 80, the headliner material was about 50 a yard, the leather i made the armrests in the back from was from an upholstery shop here in town and it was about a hundred bucks a yard,lucky i didn't need much,that is genuine m benz leather. i wanted a little luxury. :lol: the material on the back deck lid don't ask,i'm kind of pissed at that because it's fading to blue in splotches,got to dye it black again. the red velour was a left over, we actually had that on a shelf since the 80's. i got the last of it, i wish we had more. it's like that civic s red. :hs: i guess you get what you pay for,if you are going to do the work i would get the best material you can afford or can't aford. it also took a lot of glue.

[TheWatcher]

I wish you lived here, so I could see everything in person. I'm sure the small little cardomain pics, don't do it justice. :)

Could you post more pics for me?

Also, PM me when you (eventually) part out your ride. :lol:

Beautiful ... Leather ,,,

Peace.

[lostforawhile]

I will try to get some better pics when i can get a better camera,my camera sucks big time. thanks for the compliment, i don't plan on getting rid of my car anytime soon,when the wheels fall off i'll put on new ones :lol:

[lostforawhile]

just for laughs here's some old asspictures. :) http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050019_10_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050019_11_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050019_22_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050019_23_full.jpg it's come a long way since then. http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050019_6_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050019_7_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050019_43_full.jpg those are lxi seats by the way, it's an entire thread how i got them in there. you can see some of the original upholstery on some of the early pictures. i think you can do a nice job on the interior if you plan the time it will take, this took years and several versions before it was done. it's all in the time.

[TheWatcher]

I thought they were SE-i seats that you reupholstered.

I may need to reupholster my seat(s).

Peace.

[lostforawhile]

that was jigga89sei who had the sei. mine were from an 89lxi. they were a bitch to get in because one of the tracks was completly different, plus they were double locking tracks,vs single locking and they had those freaking seatbelts attached to the seat. actually we just had to switch a lot of parts around, and remove the spring locking mechanism from one of the tracks on the lxi and put one of the dx tracks on the lxi seat. all the cables hooked up and everything. it was harder then it sounds. i had to drive around for a while with that nasty ass junkyard upholstery and bullet holes in my seats. try explaining that to a cop. :lol: I was editing my post when i got your message

[TheWatcher]

that was jigga89sei who had the sei. mine were from an 89lxi. they were a bitch to get in because one of the tracks was completly different, plus they were double locking tracks,vs single locking and they had those freaking seatbelts attached to the seat. actually we just had to switch a lot of parts around, and remove the spring locking mechanism from one of the tracks on the lxi and put one of the dx tracks on the lxi seat. all the cables hooked up and everything. it was harder then it sounds. i had to drive around for a while with that nasty ass junkyard upholstery and bullet holes in my seats. try explaining that to a cop. :lol: I was editing my post when i got your message
BULLET holes in the seats. :omg:

I learned something. I thought all 3g seats use the same tracks/rails. Now I know differently. Thanks for the 411.

Peace.

[lostforawhile]

BULLET holes in the seats. :omg:

I learned something. I thought all 3g seats use the same tracks/rails. Now I know differently. Thanks for the 411.

Peace.the car had bullet holes too, i guess hatchies can't be choosies too hard to find parts. the lxi seats had a sideways track i believe it's been about four years

[lostforawhile]

hey i found my old pictures from when i was redoing the upholstery, i never did mention they weren't sewed,probably the glue fumes. anyway i put some of them at a link. the completly finished ones are at my cardomain link below. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/moultriemanicmechanic/album?.dir=/8dcd&.src=ph&.tok=phvwStDBEuUhKdrd

[MIK3]

This kind of ties in with the topic of this thread, but I was just wondering if anyone else is having the problem I am? On the back side of my backseats, the seams where the fabric was held together is coming apart. Is there an effective way to repair this, or is it just straight sewing? I've tried sewing before, but for some reason the thread won't hold.

[lostforawhile]

well the best thing i could tell you would be to take the upholstery off of the foam,turn it inside out and resew it. you will need to get a kit with hog rings and hog ring pliars probably at an auto parts store. this is what holds it to the metal part of the seat. if you do this i would say use fishing line to sew it by hand. this is the strongest material you can use for the diameter.

[DaveTheAve]

Anyone know of a great tutorial/guide/how-to for Reupholstering? I know nothing about the topic, and am in need of redoing the interior look to increase my Honda's value (and rice points lol).

P.S. How do I take the door panel apart so I that I may remove the cloth on it too.

[DaveTheAve]

Nice, my father is now is telling me NOT to touch the interior of the car, stating that reupholstering the car requires a commercial sewing machine and it won't be worth it.

Question: Is this true? Can I use a normal sewing machine? Do I even need one (for re-carpeting & seats)?

[Hazwan]

Nice, my father is now is telling me NOT to touch the interior of the car, stating that reupholstering the car requires a commercial sewing machine and it won't be worth it.
Question: Is this true? Can I use a normal sewing machine? Do I even need one (for re-carpeting & seats)?

Man, my dad said the exact thing to me while back. I'm wondering if this true.

[russiankid]

Man, my dad said the exact thing to me while back. I'm wondering if this true.
I am sure it is, the stitches a industrial machine makes are much stronger and are probably different.

[Civic Accord Honda]

to much work for me only thing id replace are the door panels and carpet and just get some JY seats or seat covers

[Pico]

Nice, my father is now is telling me NOT to touch the interior of the car, stating that reupholstering the car requires a commercial sewing machine and it won't be worth it.
Question: Is this true? Can I use a normal sewing machine? Do I even need one (for re-carpeting & seats)?
I think you do for the stitching of the seams, if you were to use very thin material you could get away with it, but as far as the type of material you would get to recover the seats it would be too thick for a regular machine to do

[DaveTheAve]

Yeah, I was just going to get cloth and not leather so I didn't think it was that bad. However, as a post above me just pointed out, I can STILL do the carpeting without a sewing machine and just replace the seats.

Regular home carpet works fine right just need to fit it?

[MessyHonda]

how bad is your current carpet? i striped my interior of my dx in like 2 hours with my buddy. washed the carpet and used some fabric paint on it and painted it black then i installed some 3rd gen lude seats.


here are some pics
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Messybone/car/DSCF2220Small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Messybone/car/DSCF2217Small.jpg

[DaveTheAve]

No I need new carpeting (probably more want than need), but I will be painting all the viynal and plastic black.

Edit: Then I guess i'll use seat covers.

[Cheeseburger]

how bad is your current carpet? i striped my interior of my dx in like 2 hours with my buddy. washed the carpet and used some fabric paint on it and painted it black then i installed some 3rd gen lude seats.


here are some pics
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Messybone/car/DSCF2220Small.jpg



is it me or can i still see brown in the door?

[DaveTheAve]

I don't see brown but IMO it's too much black.

[MessyHonda]

thats the door not the door panel. i wanted to do a 2 tone but it was too rice as i wanted the fabric parts silver and the vinyl stuff black

[DaveTheAve]

lol, if I get what I want the fabric will be the red carpeting and the vinyl will also be black... Yeah, I'm ricing a bit my car because I need it to have a higher value... figure i'd get more for a ricey looking car from some punk.

[Hazwan]

how bad is your current carpet? i striped my interior of my dx in like 2 hours with my buddy. washed the carpet and used some fabric paint on it and painted it black then i installed some 3rd gen lude seats.


here are some pics
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Messybone/car/DSCF2220Small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Messybone/car/DSCF2217Small.jpg

How does the dye holds up in time?

I really want to dye my interior panels, but I am concerned about the durability of the dye on high traffic areas around the door handles etc. I don't want them to came off and looks much worse than what it is now.

[DaveTheAve]

Yes, how does the paint hold up? Regular black vinyl paint right? Also, I still need to know how to take the door panel apart so I can replace the carpeting on the door. Can someone please assist me on that?