Projects 32's interior is in...I did it myself

I decided to attempt to install my own interior. I wanted the reward, and sometimes fustration, of doing it myself. I bought a walking foot sewing machine on e-bay, $300 and an instructional manual from Boarders...and we're off.

I spent some time looking at magazines to find a design I liked, simple, yet doable with my limited experience. I came up with one which has two colors, my wife chose the two colors. The material is vinyl. One of the colors are smooth the other is pleated. I came up with a design that would allow the two colors without haveing to sew the two panels together.

I used 1/8" luann to make the panels. Door panels, kick panels, a curved panel for behind the seat and three trunk panels. After making patterns from cardboard I cut and fit the wood panels to all of the surfaces. I used chrome oval head screws with a small finish washer to attach all the panels.

As you can see from the door panel under construction, I drew the design right on the panel. I then glued 1/4" closed cell foam to the top part of each panel and then covered it with vinyl.

You might be wondering how I made the curved back panel behind the seats. After I made the cardboard pattern I cut the luann to the same shape. To get it to curve, I cut vertical score lines about 1/2" apart on the back side where the panel needed to curve, extending well past the area needing to be curved. After all the lines where scored I added a couple drops of liquid dish washing soap to a bucket of water and with a sponge soaked the entire panel until it was saturated. While it is still wet I installed it inside the car to let it dry over night. The next day it was curved to the shape of the area I wanted to cover.

After a few failed attempts at making the pleated part of the design I finally got the hang of it, or I got a little better anyway, I sewed the pleats and covered the bottom portion of each panel.

I needed something to hide the mating line between the two design elements. I purchased a bunch of "Flex-Chrome" for that purpose. It's easy to work with and very flexable. It's normally used for outside body moldings and held in place with 3-M tape. I knew the tape wouldn't cut it so I drilled small holes along the mating line and after the 3-M tape was used to position the trim piece I used 3/8" metal screws from the back side to permanently secure the molding in place.

The headline was a little different. It'a a fibergl*** one piece insert. I decided to repeat the chrome strips on the headliner but I want it to be one color. I cut closed cell foam in panels to look like a trditional sewn headliner. I then repeated the vinyl and chrome strip process.

There are a couple of ares I needed to address this winter but over-all I think it came out OK. It's not purfect but I did it myself....

Sorry if the pictures are kind of ****y, I can take better ones if anybody wants to see more.

Thanks for looking.
DD

 

Beautiful! Great colors and design. Looks very professional, too.

 

Damn fine job for first a attempt!

 

Man that looks great,,much nicer than my first atempt! HRP

 

Yowza.....veery, veeeeery nice job; certainly looks professional!!!

 

Ain't nothin' in this world perfect. You did a good job that you should be very proud of. Here is a great big ata-boy...ya done good.

 

Good for you and I like your idea of the chrome trim. I was an upholster for 40 years. All looks professional and look at the money you saved and now you can say "I did It"!
Here is a thread I did back in February on using ABS for paneling.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318310

 

Ya did yourself proud, good job.

 

wow that is nice!!!

Good Job!

 

It does look GREAT and with all the money you just saved you can buy yourself a new camera.

 

Looks great!!

 

Very nice job! Who makes the Flex Chrome stuff?

 

www.flexchrome.com

That link should get you started.
DD

 

Awesome job! I too did my own interior in my nova.... I actually think its kinda fun work. You dont get greasy! lol!

What did you use for the chrome strips?*edit*... I posted after you answered

-Gary

 

What kind of sewing machine did you use I am going next week to buy a Phaff 1245 I understand they are good machines.

 

Very nice, congrats!

 

killer work, Man!

 

I'm not an expert on machines. I bought an inexpensive walking foot from e-bay. I saw a couple of machines by that name when I was looking for mine. If the price is any indication...it's better than mine!
DD

 

Looks real sharp now do my 31

 

Great model and I have been using mine for 20+ years. You will love it.

 

WOW man good job!!!

 

You mentioned you used 3/8" metal screws to attach the trim to the panels. Do you recall the part number for the flex chrome you used?

 

Super job,even better ya did it

 

Impressive!!!!

 

first time? looks great, and finishing the rear compartment adds a touch of cl***. nice job.

 

It's HR027C...
DD

 

Sweet. Looks great!

 

Very nice job!

 

Great job Johnny! I saw it on sunday in person and it really does look awesome!

 

Nice job.

I'll be keeping at eye out for it on the rare occasion that I get out to a cruise or show.