240hoke Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Hey guys, Im looking to start on my interior soon. Ive got a great book that shows step by step how to build and upholster custom panels its called "Custom Auto Interiors" by Don Taylor and Ron Mangus. I got it at Barnes and Noble the other day. Anyway alot of the techniques they use ont use sewing machines so that was a big plus for me. I need to sorce hte materials though and Im not sure where exactly to purchase this stuff, in person would be great but online works The main things I am looking for are: - Chip Board - 1/4" Closed cell foam - Vinyl - Good contact cement Thanks for any help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsommer Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 You can get chip board at a printing shop. Don't go to the big commercial shops check the smaller ones, probably more friendly. Closed cell foam check Hobby Lobby, or a fabric store they should have this as well as the vinly. Contact cement, 3M at an auto paint shop in your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatcarguy350 Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Well, if we're talking about the same chip board, I had to use that stuff for an architecture class. You can get it at an art supply store. Vinyl can be found at a fabric store. Just google "fabric store", and your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Did you check your local Michaels or Joane Fabrics? I know I've seen foame there and I've purchased vinyl as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Here's a linky to the place I have dealt with. better prices then Joanne fabrics, but if your not sure what you want you will have to get samples from them. Joanne has a perfect match for the vinyl pattern in the Z car, I am quite sure your "Auto Trim Store" has it too, for less. they also have some great looking carbon fiber looking vinyl which I have considered. I would also suggest their glue gun and glue(by the gallon) if your going to do it right. I started mine last summer , but ran out of warm days. This is strictly and outside job for me with the fumes. The pic is of the overhead panel I did with the Joanne vinyl. You will find that joannes stuff will not stretch as good as some of the better 4 way stuff, but this simple shape it worked well. http://www.yourautotrim.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 Thanks for the leads so far guys. Ive tried Joanne's fabrics but they didnt have thin closed cell foam and I couldnt find chip board there either, they did have the vinyl though. Madkaw - Thanks for the link that looks like the perfect place for foam. Those pieces looks really nice, I think I am going to cover all the rear plastic panels in vinyl as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZZZeee Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Is the chip board to remake inner door panels? If so, why not use fiberglass or Lexan instead? Just about any non-porous material has to be more durable than that pressed wood stuff. Sorry if I'm not catching on to what your doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetleaf Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 If you really want the stuff to last a life time, use marine grade vinyl. You can get it online. I pickup a lot of supplies locally at Riggs Brothers auto interiors, but unless you got connections they can be a little pricey. It's a little overkill for cars but if it works in boats that get wet and bake in the sun all day, think how it'll last in a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 My goal was to cover all the plastic pieces also, but it is harder then you think. The rear quarter window pieces are a complex with the window set "in" effect. I couldn't get the Joanne stuff to stretch good enough without tearing. Look at the "allsport vinyl" on that website. It's not an exact match but it would stretch much better. I need to order a sample to see how it matches up. I tore up a lot of the Joannes stuff trying to make it stretch far enough, so I need to try something else. Those books are helpful, but it's trial and error my man. That overhead piece I covered didn't have any foam under it, even though I do have some foam available. I left that step out to see if I could even do this endevour. Also, I fiberglasses the back of all my panels first so they would hold together during this process. I just layed one layer of cloth over them and called it good. It should keep them from cracking anymore. You could use later model panels that are thicker to eliminate this stage, but the early panels need the strength IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 ZZZeee - its cheap easy to work with, can be layered, sewn, glued, sanded. used to easily make 3d panels....also great for pattern making. I think its really more used for really curved panels though, I will probably use plywood as the base for the door panels and chip board to creature certain features and then cover with foam. But I have NO IDEA what Im doing this will be an experiment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 Madkaw which gun did you get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I bought this guy. It takes a little work to get it to spray right. You are spraying glue you know I bought a gallon of glue figuring I would go thru a lot of it. I tries using spray can glue, but this works much better at being more precise with the spray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Austin, quick tip. Normal spray adhesive doesn't work well behind vinyl over a hard surface. It leaves bumps, make sure to get the correct adhesive. I know 3m makes it (I have a can, and its costly). But I am sure you can get it by the gallon too. Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZZZeee Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Door panels... I bought a fiberglass set from Pete several months ago and they're very, very nice. They're worth every penny but they were a wee bit pricey. If I ever need another set I'll just buy some sheet aluminum, bend/pound them into shape, then trim and cover them in vinyl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogie Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I have used the 3M super 77 spray glue for headliners and door panels with good results. So long as you use the right amount you wont have any problems. Cheaper spray glue wont hold in high heat and humidity for squat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 I didnt have any luck with 3m 77 glue, it remained sticky and almost kinda melted the back of the vinyl, after a year everything in the back of my car had wrinkled and peeled up....when i pulled it all out a couple weeks ago everything is just a sticky mess and i think im going to have to replace all of it. I think contact cement is much stronger and more permanent...especially if you are wanted to do pleating and stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Netrix Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 It's cheap to goto jo-ann fabric store, but the vinyl there is not automotive grade. It's not meant to withstand UV. Someone mentioned Marine grade vinyl, that would probably work well for automotive. Carpet is the same way, if you don't buy automotive specific carpet it will fade in sunlight. However if you don't care/dont drive your car much, I guess it doesn't matter. I recommend going to an automotive interior shop to get fabric or online. Just something to consider if your doing all that work. The automotive stuff would probably stretch better as well. Althought it is good practice to use cheap materials if your experimenting/learning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogie Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Weird, I have never had a problem with mine not drying comepletely. Though, I also only used it on carpet and tweed. I have never heard of it reacting with vinyl before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrariferg Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I used the vinyl from joanns on some of my rear panels and I agree that it doesn't stretch well. I used a heat gun on low to heat it just enough to stretch. It seems to be holding fairly well. I dont care too much for the spray glue. It never fully dried so I will have to redo my panels eventually which is fine because I'm changing the color of my interior anyways. I'll have to see if I can find that book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garvice Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 If your looking for complex curves then I suggest expandable foam under the closed cell foam. You can create some great natural looking shapes with the foam. Just clamp down the areas that are not to be expanded. I did this for the rear parcel shelf in my corolla. Clamped down the area where two 6x9s were going and clamped down a flat area between them. Then I sprayed the foam in the rest. Turned out great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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