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Do it yourself interior panels question

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Thor

Thor

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I wanted to change the interior of my midget from black to beige. I have done the seats but my question is: "Does anyone have suggestions on how best to redo the panels?". I don't have the cash to order "new beige panels".

What I attempted but think I need help on is that I order Beige material for the panels and then cut out the pattern so there is about 1/4 to 1/3 inches to fold around the panel edge onto its back. Next I used spray adhesive to an existing panel, I think it was called M3 adhesive spray. But after a fashion I have noticed that the new material puckers some and has pulled away from the back and edges so the original black shows.

Should I have extended the lip of the new material even further on the panels back? Anyone have suggestions on a different spray adhesive? Thanks
 
I haven't tried it but was considering it. I found a book the library called (I think) Automotive Upholstery Handbook by Don Taylor that seemed like it would be very helpful FWIW
 
I would use proper contact cement.
 
Of course, contact cement. Works great.
 
Thor -

I just did this. I did NOT use contact cement / glue / etc as many have commented. I felt (& you found out the hard way) that the glue is unforgiving and doesn't stretch.

I cut new panels from a fresh compressed fibre board from home depot ($10 each or so) (x2). Bought the appropriate fabric (got extra from where I had my seats done (ended up getting 6 yds - have 2 or 3 left over / lots in case I messed up). I sanded the freshly cut edges so they do wear through the fabric over time.

I purchased a 22 gauge ulpholstery staple gun from ebay ($60 or so). Use the Unicatch 22 gauge air stapler

https://cgi.ebay.com/1-4-To-5-8-Upholster...1QQcmdZViewItem

It uses "stock" staples (not necessiarily home depot, but a roofing supply house). It can use "Senco "C" from 3/16 to 5/8 (Unicatch makes to 1/4 - used another brand to get to 3/16").

With the air stapler - it provides the power to go through new / thick fibre board. 3/16" is very shallow (smaller than an office stapler) and allows for you to stretch the fabric without fighting the bonding effect of glue. If you mees up - you remove the staple and re-fit the fabric.

I am very happy with this. I still have never been able to post pictures on BCF - send an email and I can send over to you. Am installing over the next few evenings since I finally got the car back from the paint shop. I also wnet with a tan / camel color (naugahyde; "pleather"). Looks awesome with the maroon paint job !!

It's very easy !! Just time consuming, but if you owned the car for more than 20 minutes - this is not news to you.

Sincerely,

George Zeck
gzeck2 at yahoo dot com
 
I've done a number of interior panels- from leather with foam backing to indoor outdoor carpeting (like my old truck). As far as glue, I would use nothing less than 3M Super 77 or 3M Hi-Strength 90. I've messed around with too many cheap spray glues and hot glue guns and finally learned that using a quality spray adhesive glue across a panel yields a uniform look- in other words the material bonds to the panel in all areas with no lift. Hot gluing often showed. The stuff is not cheap, but you have committed to going through the trouble to do this, spend the extra money and do it right. Afterall that's what you want, right? The ultimate insult to personal craftsmanship is when you say "yeah, I did it myself," is when you get the reply: "it looks like it."

I usually let the glue set up until it is sticky and then smooth the material over the panel. It also helps if you do this at a decent temperature (70 degrees or warmer). I did some panels in a cold garage once and it never set up.

I usually leave enough material to get around the panel anywhere from a 1/4 to a half inch. It depends largely on the material. I've gotten away with not stapling (3M hi-strength 90 is good enough that you don't have to if you follow the instructions and let it set up)but I have done a number of panels using a basic paper stapler- just open the stapler up, lay the front side of the panel against something hard, press the stapler against it and shoot. Carpet staples are way too thick for interior panels- you dont want them coming through the fabric. Look at the factory staples and you will see that they are basically the same as a paper staple.

On my MG, the door panel thickness is pretty crucial. The original fabric was glued on with a very thin piece of foam behind it and the fabric was stapled around the edges. I tried to use a thicker fabric and ran into problems because the door weatherstripping interfered with the door shutting correctly (even despite trimming the panel down 1/8th's of an inch all around to accomodate the thicker fabric). In this case its best to duplicate the original in fabric thickness.
 
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