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Upholstery and Body rubber installation

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ronzet

ronzet

Jedi Knight
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Good day all...

A couple of queries...

Speaking of rubber moulding... I am in the process of installing the rubber moulding on my BN4. The trunk moulding needs, evidently, to be glued in place.. I am looking for suggestions for what adhesive to use that won't destroy the paint...

AND, I purchased a set of metal seatbacks (Actually the entire seat set)and have found that there is not a hole drilled to mount it to the base.... anyone know the where's that these holes need to be???
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Thanks
 
Ron,
3M "Fast Tack Trim Adhesive" works well on the trunk gasket. On well cured paint you can even remove old adhesive with 3M "General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner". Won't harm the paint. I had to do this when a previous owner had installed the gasket on the shroud instead of on the lid.

Be sure to not stretch the rubber at the corners, compress it a bit. Be sure that the thinner cross section of the gasket is inboard or the lid won't close.

Don't know about exact dimensions for the seat holes. I think I would set the backs on the bases, all rubber bumpers & back upholstery in place, line up the backs, & mark the holes for the back ears through the tab mount holes. If the bottom ear/tabs are not drilled either, the holes should be centered on the tabs & drilled first, then the backs.

If the backs are already recovered, the metal back ears are likely already drilled & some careful probing will show where to pierce the covering.
D
 
Dave,
Thanks for the words of experience...

The seats and upholstery are in separate boxes... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I have considered finding and upholstery shop to put the seats, dash, and wood panel upholstery together... Did you do your own and how much of a problem did you have if you did???

Also, If I choose to do my own, do you recommend the same adhesive for the dash and wood panel upholstery. I suspect that that adhesive should be a stronger hold... Suggestions on that??
Thanks again /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Upholsery is something I have done with less than perfect results. If it is something that has to be really good, I leave it to the "pros". I discussed upholstery with the local shops, decided that they really had no idea what original was, or all of the subtle details. Seat bases are a complex combination of plywood, correct padding, & covering. Had my seats & panels done by "Heritage Upholstery & Trim" Blaine, Washington. Truly first class reproductions of the originals. All I had to do was install the finished panels & parts.

Not sure what level of perfection you are after. I've seen some truly awful installations of Moss kits. I think some of the forum members have achieved good results with DIY kits. I'll leave it to them to further advise you or to recommend a local shop. I have attached a pic of a seat.
D
 

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Dave,

Nice pic... great color combination in your red Healey... Mine is blue/white with blue/white interior.. the scheme will accent the white body inlay...

OMG.. now I am going to talk about color palets!?!?!?

Been hanging around the wife WAY toooo much...

Hey, (belch, snort, scratch) pass me a beer and a cigar... whew, now I feel manly again... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Ronzet, :I agree:-Leave upholstery to a pro who is intimately familiar with the Healey cars.--Fwiw--Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
Just a point of clarification... I have purchased, from Moss, a leather seat upholstery kit, foam, seatbacks, seat base, wood frame, interior panel kit, rear seat kit, and carpeting kit.... (a TON O' money) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cryin.gif

ALL are separate and in need of 'assembly'. With this in mind, do you still recommend that I use an upholstery shop???
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Thanks....
 
Actually, thinking about it.... except for body work/paint, engine machining, and tranny overhaul... I have done just about everything else on this car.

However, a man needs to know his limitations... I can do engines, brakes, electrical, etc... Interior is not my forte... SOOO off to the upholstery shop with it....

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Hi Ron,

I re-upholstered my BJ7 using a Moss leather kit about 6 years ago and it came out "pretty good". I have probably more upholstery experience than most having redone some 'antique' chairs and couches and working with foams and fabrics to make prototypes in my line of work. I found some problems with the Moss kit. The seat foams are generic and required lots of modification (cutting and filling with other foam). Their vinyls are stiffer than original, and the internal padding they use for the tufted padded sections like the seat bottoms are too thick which introduces ripples in those areas. Had I started with a Heritage kit I'm sure the results would have been better (but I didn't know about them back then). I did order Heritage vinyl during my restoration to redo a few things and it makes a big difference for the instrument panel and top dash installation. I also ordeded the carpet kit and it appears to be top notch.

Anyway, just wanted to give you my 2 cents. Maybe you can still return the Moss kit if it wasn't custom.

Cheers,
John
 
Gentlemen, Thanks for your observations and comments....

I just called three upholstery shops in the area and was quoted $800-$1200 to install the kit... It is appealing to think of driving the car to a shop and picking it up -- finished.... but adding the $1,000 to the $3,800 I already spent on the kits is a bit much to take... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

I am wondering when the law of diminshing returns will kick in here...sigh.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I'll let you know what transpires...
 
Why not give it a try? If you find something that isn't working out take it in. The seats will be the toughest part. I have a contact out there I'll ask for a recommendation.
 
I understand the cost bit.However,failing to do it propely will probably increase the cost to redue it later on. John is correct about the seat foams in the moss kit they are not correct and one not familiar with the modifications required just may screw things up beyond useability.Its your call but you have a lot at stake already.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
On-going saga... A tail of vacillation and indecision....AND international intrigue!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

The same friend that connected me with a body shop in Mexico that did all of my bodywork/paint on both my BN4 and my MGA (GREAT job, by the way)has another contact for upholstery.... I am sending the seats, jumpseats, and dash down to be done... I will be installing the door and wheelwell panels.. Anything that looks over my head, I will drive the car to a shop here in the Encinitas/Carlsbad area to have it done... I AM anal about the car and won't do anything that I can't do well... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I'll send pics when finished....

Thanks again.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
I did a very decent job using the Moss tape set. Its easy to follow. The trick is cutting lots of darts on the curved parts so they lay flat. It took a lot of time and I learned a lot. Fabric shops sell all the stuff you need. They sell special fabric spray on adhesives that really work well.
 
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