Yet another GMC build

[OKGMC4]

Got the sewing machine from my in laws to do my interior with. It's a Consew 206RB meant for industrial work. After running some seams through the sun visors I can see how a smaller machine couldn't handle this stuff! I've never sewn before but this thing is pretty easy to operate (after you spend 3 hours trying figure out how to thread it and set it up of course). Got my carpet bound on all exposed edges. Really should have practised more, about the time I got the techniqe down I was done.

[OKGMC4]

I made a small piece to illustrate how to do it (if anyone is interested). Sew the binding piece (here a 3 inch wide leather strip) on top of the carpet edge, upside down. Run two seams close together and it gives you a nicer edge when it's done. Use some 3M spray adhesive on the leather and the bottom of the carpet and wrap it carefully around. It will hold it while you stitch the final seam. Run the last seam from the top right up against the edge of the leather. (called sewing in the ditch). That ties the back of the binding in place.

[OKGMC4]

Then trim off the excess on the back and marvel at your awe inspiring skill. Wish my carpet looked as good as the sample. It still looks pretty good and really, who looks real close at carpet? I am making the poster board template for the floor mat and then it will be on to door panels...

[drivea55]

Lets not waist all that technique you learned on just one interior. C'mon over and do mine while you have the technique down pat!

Haa haa...

Kidding aside, it looks great!
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[Kim57]

Looks real nice.
Kim

[youngrodder]

While watching the latest episode of West Coast Customs, Ish used the same brand of sewing machine...Too funny.

Your progress looks good...

Marc

[_Ogre]

3m makes some industrial grade velcro, it uses the same foam tape as we use to hold body kits on.
make sure it's the industrial grade or your carpet will cut lose in the heat.

ebay link yes it's $10 per ft

[oldcouple]

By the way, a hot melt glue gun, using the high temp glue, will work to edge carpet, make pleats in fabric, and join seams in things like sunvisors. After all its the same glue they use to seam your house carpet. It will work on most fabrics, even leather. Just work on the back side, do not get it on your cuz it hurts, and lasts a long time. 3M spray adhesive and foam can be used to do 3d effects as well.

[OKGMC4]

A little done on the door panels. I actually decided to cheat a bit. I cut the door panel in half behind the lower aluminum trim part, hiding the split. This will allow me to glue and wrap the upper half in cloth and the lower half in leather without the time involved in sewing the parts together. The exception will be the carpet panel on the bottom.

Padding is 1/4" closed cell foam (or volara foam, or convertible top foam). I ended up cutting the area where the trim rides to keep the foam from squeezing out. I also decided to make a finger guard panel (that will be covered in leather) for the pull handles, which are off the A pillar on a Dodge Durango.

[OKGMC4]

More on door panels...Here's what I'm using to get the cloth onto the foam/ board. DAP makes a weldwood for counters you can buy at Lowes but they say it isn't as good as the vinyl top glue they make for upholstery. It's the same cost so why not? Besides, the counter stuff is too thick to shoot with a Harbor Freight 10 dollar spray gun. The places where I have to step down from the foam to the board I'm using my window screen roller tool. Weird but it works.

[OKGMC4]

This thing is made from several parts...the upper and lower are pretty simple. Spray, stick, flip, spray, wrap and stick. The carpet piece at the bottom is actually another board with carpet glued to it. I'm going to bind the edges with leather strips like the carpet but will glue it to the door panel and wrap the binding around the door panel, glue, then staple with VERY short staples. (1/8 or 5/32)

As a side note.. anything I've glued to the closed cell foam I made sure to lightly sand the foam to remove the slick skin so the cloth or board can stick better. If you don't sand it, it will probably pull loose.

[OKGMC4]

Mocked up...I just bought the orange cloth yesterday. I was looking for a grey cloth but ran across this and thought "HECK YEAH!" Warning...you may need sunglasses to view this truck!

I think these are shaping up pretty well for my first home made door panels ever. I've always been a camaro/ firebird guy so in the past I would just order door panels and put them in. I have to say, this is much more gratifying.

[72ArizonaBurb]

Looking good!

[youngrodder]

OKGMC4-

What did you use for the backer material for the door panels themselves? Kind of looks like plastic in the pics.

Do tell...

They look great. I'm going to take a stab at creating some for my 48 this summer.

Marc

[Kim57]

Looks very nice.
Kim

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

OKGMC4-

What did you use for the backer material for the door panels themselves? Kind of looks like plastic in the pics.

Do tell...

They look great. I'm going to take a stab at creating some for my 48 this summer.

Marc

The board is a light panel board. Heavier than cardboard or most chipboard but lighter than a wood panel. Not sure if the big box stores carry this or not? Got it from a local lumberyard. It looks and feels just like the stuff GM used for door panels in the 70s and 80s. Upholstery suppliers sell a lot of the chipboard stuff but it seemed really light when I saw it in person. I've read not to use masonite. Don't know why but it's what I heard.

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

[OKGMC4]

Headliner wasn't too bad. I used 1/8 inch steel bars with nut inserts to hold it in. Then insulated the roof and mocked up the board with the aluminum trim strips I made.

[OKGMC4]

Then I cut and glued some 1/4 closed cell foam, but left out the strips where the aluminum rides. Then I glued on some modern foam type headliner material and wrapped it. After sanding the aluminum with 220 and clearing it, I put it all in.

[Kim57]

Very ingenious on the head liner. Looks good.
Kim

[OKGMC4]

Been waiting for the door handles to arrive but now have a pic of a complete door panel installed. Also been working on the seat. Tried to reshape the foam of the flat bench seat I had. Glued it, cut the edges, and sanded with roloc discs.

[OKGMC4]

Then spent two days trying to make a seat cover and another two days trying to repair or hide my mistakes. It's not turning out quite how I envisioned it...for instance I thought the sides would be as poofy as the center but in order to get most of the wrinkles out I had to pull them a little flatter. I've had the cover off twice for adjustments but I'm happy enough to start on the seat backs now. Don't think it's too bad for a first try at custom upholstery.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice work. I'm sure that is hard to do for your first time, but it does look nice!

[Kim57]

Looks very nice.
Kim

[55Cameo]

Wow coming along very well. Like how your doing alot yourself.

Orange is my favorite color LOL!!! Like the color scheme and interior

[Rude Dude]

Great work there are a lot of secret's do get upholstery just right. I know my brother is master upholster. He did a 29 roadster that won the AMBR award. He has been doing this for over 30 years, for example he sew's streemers (long threads) then pushes these with a long sewing needle into the foam through the back side to hold material with round plastic button things to give that contour look so the material wont look flat. He can build a convertible top with no pattern and installed in 8-10 hours. Your work is something you can be proud of and saying I did it feels good.