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TR2/3/3A TR3 Dash Recovering

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Yes, thank both of you. I've been thinking about how to do this for a while, but never considered a jig. (At a show a year ago, I saw an owners home recovering job with huge wrinkles that looked horrible.) The jig might make it possible for mine to look better. From Georges pictures, I assume the top is first stretched, then glued, after that's dry the ends are folded under, trimmed, and also glued.

Aside from cost and durability, is there a difference between using vinyl vs. leather. The fabric store around the corner has "marine quality" vinyl that has no backing, is not supposed to mildew when wet, and seems to be stretchable enough to work. I got enough material to cover the face of the dash 3 times over, for $1.63.

Jer
 
Texas, that an excellent question - does anyone know of a (cheaper) commercial source of the same vinyl that Moss/TRF uses for their upholstery kits? I need to recover some door or other inside panels and it seems like buying this stuff in bulk would be a whole lot cheaper than buying it piecemeal from Moss....
 
Craig,

I took a piece to a boat upholstery shop and matched it from about 200 sample swatches he had in a book. 54" wide was $20 per yard. It's UV resistant and made for vehicles.

Pay attention to color as well as grain. There are many shades of black (or red..) so test it outside as well as in the shop.
 
Also be sure to look at the backing. Some have a material that will not allow you to stretch it much. The thickness varies too. I've looked in several fabric stores and the help is very helpful. I'm almost embarrased when they tell me the total cost after spending 1/2 hour talking to me about it.

For panels like doors, I don't think you care that it stretches, but also don't think you want anything that will soak up water (when it happens to get rained in).

Carry a small scrap in with you because they all look the same on the bolt, though the pieces on the "ends" table are even cheaper.
 
Check with any local auto upholsterer, they ususally buy in bulk from a yard goods supplier.
I found a place in Phoenix (thru the above) and picked up black top material (for sidescreens) at $7 a yard by 54". Good quality hardy stuff too.
 
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