You are probably aware of this but if you start from the middle of your headliner with the material glued there and stretch the material out toward the edges you can usually get it to form to the curves. Also, depending on what kind of material you are using. The four way stretch works the best for different angled curves. Mike
You are probably aware of this but if you start from the middle of your headliner with the material glued there and stretch the material out toward the edges you can usually get it to form to the curves. Also, depending on what kind of material you are using. The four way stretch works the best for different angled curves. Mike
Hey M,
I did work from the center out. I also used a hair dryer to help stretch the material. But the vinyl was so creased that it didn't really matter what I did or how good it turned out - the creases were a real distraction. I'm going to the hobby center / fabric store to get more material.
I went to The Fiero Factory yesterday and bought a replacement A-Pillar trim piece and dash bezel piece (for the push start button). I also got the opportunity to meet and chat with the new owners Jeremy Biggs and his wife (I feel bad, I can't remember her name). Very nice people and very accomodating. They have brought a youthful feel to the place. The first and most obvious change was bringing the office from the back area to the very front where your met and greeted with smiles. I'm very happy for Jeremy and I wish he and his wife all the best! I know they'll be getting a lot of my money...
The rest of the place looks exactly the same. I didn't take any pics of the shop - I'm sure that's been done in the past. I did however take a few pics of the yard. I have never seen the yard this full of Fieros.
Enjoy
These pics don't include the warehouse FULL of parts. It's awesome!
Tonight I'm going to get new vinyl and padding. I'm going to try to get the other interior pieces removed and painted. It was a good day!
[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 02-23-2010).]
Nice pics, but I am confused and sit here laughing. I just realized when you said you went to the Fiero Factory that you obvoiusly don`t live in El Paso. For some reason I thought you did and I thought "he must have a private jet or something" to go from El Paso to Alabama in a day. Mike
Nice pics, but I am confused and sit here laughing. I just realized when you said you went to the Fiero Factory that you obvoiusly don`t live in El Paso. For some reason I thought you did and I thought "he must have a private jet or something" to go from El Paso to Alabama in a day. Mike
Hey Mike,
A private jet? Man, wouldn't that be nice? But, I do not live in TX. I've been there a couple of times - sat in the airport waiting for a connector flight. I live in Huntsville, AL. The Fiero Factory is literally 10 miles down the road from me.
I'm so jealous of this place! I have no Fiero related places anywhere near me!
Have you ever seen the inside of the warehouse? It's a gold mine! The next time I'm there I'll take some pics - it's amazing. From the pile of door panels to the boxes full of shift knobs or lug nuts - it's sureal
[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 02-24-2010).]
I went to Hancock Fabrics yesterday. Holy Cr@p! I couldn't believe the amount of material they had for automotive purposes. They had roles of actual headliner in various colors and rolls of vinyl material, again, in various colors. I took a few pics to prove I wasn't lying - LOL (OK, I just got excited). The different vinyl colors got my creative juices flowing.
Headliner - look at all the different colors
Rolls of Vinyl - the black roll next to the tan roll on the left side is the one I'm using. It's a very deep non glossy black and very soft to the touch
Check out this color! I love that tan look. BUT THE ORANGE... Oh Yeah
More rolls of Vinyl
I purchased new black vinyl and felt underlay. I'm going to drop by one of the upholstry shops in town and see if I can get some of their advice on how to lay the vinyl. With that, I went ahead and pulled the old vinyl and felt liner off fiberglassed headliner. I'm hoping to have this finished by the weekend????
I then took the huge scrap of the leftover vinyl and decided to do a test on the grab handle. I think I need stronger adhesive but this should be much easier than the headliner. It's easier to pull the material around a compound curve than it is to push the material into place - if that makes sense? Using a hair dryer heats the material and helps it stretch around tough curves. If this turns out I'll be really happy. My only concern is the bolts holes. Any ideas?
That's it for now.
[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 02-24-2010).]
I have to laugh! I completely forgot to post these updates!
I used the leftover vinyl to see if I could wrap the interior door pulls. I can't say that it was easy but with enough and pulling and tugging I could probably get the vinyl to stretch. However... I am looking into other options
Just like the tape on the console I have to cut the vinyl and stretch sections to get the perfect fit
The door pull itself is going to prove to be a task. Like I said, this is only a test. I think sewing together several pieces to form a cover would look really nice if done right...
I think sewing would be the best thing Greg. A nice stitched seam would be nice! I really want to go back to work on my Coupe interior. I moved the car around the other day and found that my headliner job is failing. The material is pulling away from the backer board. I must not have got it cleaned off good enough. I'll be doing the headliner again - first project to do once the XTC is done.
I had the same problem of covering the armrest, I could get it to wrap around where it could be glued in the back, but where the pull was I couldn`t figure out how to wrap it around and make the ends meet and look decent. Where the holes are for the screws, if you could find some nylon bushings that would just fit into the holes but still allow a screwdriver blade to go through, you could tuck the material, paint the bushings black and push them into the holes. Mike
I removed the other A-Pillar trim piece with any issues at all. It was actually really easy! Once I removed them I cleaned them up and painted them the flat black.
Up close
Today I will remove the other interior trim pieces get those cleans and painted up. Tomorrow I'm hoping to get a little further on the door panel. I migth change the design but I'm still thinking
[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 02-26-2010).]
I had the same problem of covering the armrest, I could get it to wrap around where it could be glued in the back, but where the pull was I couldn`t figure out how to wrap it around and make the ends meet and look decent. Where the holes are for the screws, if you could find some nylon bushings that would just fit into the holes but still allow a screwdriver blade to go through, you could tuck the material, paint the bushings black and push them into the holes. Mike
Hey Mike,
My thought was to cut a straight line in the material right behind the actual grab handle going from top to bottom. This was nothing more than a test than anything else. I just wanted to get my hands dirty and see if I could actually do it. However, if I am able to do it I'll use the other material and the other grab handles when I go final
I think sewing would be the best thing Greg. A nice stitched seam would be nice! I really want to go back to work on my Coupe interior. I moved the car around the other day and found that my headliner job is failing. The material is pulling away from the backer board. I must not have got it cleaned off good enough. I'll be doing the headliner again - first project to do once the XTC is done.
Pat
I agree 100% I've considered doing the whole interior but I'm going to hold off on that. One step at a time
Saturday morning I drove around town looking for clips to reinstall the A-Pillar trim pieces - no luck. So I went to the local home improvement store and found these. I just modified them to fit and they work perfectly!
Everything was mounted and put back into place - it looks really nice! The flat black really makes the interior pop
Another
One More
I went ahead and painted the door trim and other misc pieces flat black
Since I had a lot of the interior removed I went ahead and painted the overhead interior light piece as well. I masked off the surrounding area and just painted the inside
Painted
Mask removed. I really the simplicity of the flat black paint - it's not overbearing or in your face.
Now it was on to the door panel. This proved to be not only fun but very time consuming. The First thing I did was change the design. I'm sticking with the standard basic look but I'm removing the groove / indent and painting the upper part high gloss white just like the console lid.
Quick splash of color to get an idea
But what about black? hmmmmm... gotta admit, that looks really cool!
I added only a few layers of glass.
Another view
The one area that required a lot of work was the groove. This was the most time consuming. I built up the area using both fiberglass and just resin. Whether that was the right thing to do????
Masked off ready to accept the resin
Poured
Once that dried I removed the tape
Another
You can still see a slight hump - more glass required
I then built up this last area with fiberglass
Another
The thick resin I poured worked perfectly - no air bubbles and I was able to sand down everything smooth - note: this does have a thin layer of white primer... however, there is NO body filler yet - this is ALL sanding
Another
I have to admit... that does look cool
Remember this?
I took one side and poured fiberglass resin into the hole, taped up the end and turned it over so all the resin would dry at the base. I then removed the tape and and sanded the tip round
Rounded out
Primed
Painted
When this is finished it will be painted high gloss white. My thought is to mount this on the dash and fit it into the groove / indent. It's still a work in progress and like everything, the idea might change
That's it for now. I'm still working the design of the door panel. Like the console, once I finish I will have learned much more and more confidence to explore new ideas
[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 03-01-2010).]
This is where I'm thinking of going with the door panel. What do you think? My concern is removing / cutting the door panel. The piece that is removed would be covered with the vinyl. Once it's cut I will need to find a way to mount the piece back to the door...
[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 03-01-2010).]
Are you talking about the top rear section? - the part you are talking about removing, covering and then remounting? Why not make a thin piece of glass - molded to the area, cover that and then mount that to the door panel - no cutting of the door panel required and it will give it some depth/dimension. Maybe do the same for the lower part. Countersink the arm rest into the lower part and then the center part will look recessed into the door panel? Just a thought! I got to get busy........
I am beginning to really dislike you two! SofaKing, Katatak. You know who I am talking to. With all of your interior modding going on, you are driving ideas into my head. Let's do this. Let's do that. Grrrr! My head hurts!
I need to read through this thread later. I want to do the flat black to a few parts in my interior. I am also thinking, that when the weather warms up a bit, I would like to do some faux leather on some trim pieces.
Anyway, you get the drift. I foresee Amy being not too happy with me in the next few months.
It's even better if you can "hide" it....... As long as I am buying stuff for the son's car, sky's the limit. Only thing the Mrs. looks at is the total. When buying parts for the XTC, I always get a few "extra" things that I need for the V8 Coupe. I know, its devious and if the truth was known, I am pretty sure that she knows exactly what I am doing. I'll pay for it one way or the other.......
Sofa, I don't even want to know OR ask about this........ just don't point that thing at me This must be from being kept up this winter huh??
You should "up" your glassing skills more. Now that you are profienct (sp?) at it. add a raised design to the door before covering it, or an indented part with FIERO sunk in or something. What about a pocket?
heh you don't need me anymore fly grasshopper! be free!
I'll start with the simple stuff first. I was trying to track down a squeak in the center console when I found a considerable amount of surface rust - well... that's unacceptable!
After a quick pass with some steel wool and shot paint
And then installed - good as new - the funny thing... I never did track down that dam squeak!
I went ahead a created a new panel for the new radio console
After about 15-20 minutes I removed the waxpaper. The panel was no longer tacky but I knew the glass had not cured yet. I wanted to conduct a test. I took the foam core template, laid it on the panel and then sprayed primer to create an outline
I then removed the foam core template. Now I knew exactly where to cut. The reason I'm doing this is to see how easy it will be to create panels and minimize cutting and sanding
I then took the straight edge and a razor and began cutting - it was like cutting butter
I did this twice and the radio console sides were finished!
Quick glimpse of what's to come
On to the door panel! After sanding and sanding and sanding and glassing and glassing, etc... I've realized during the this build that I have been applying fiberglass, in some cases, WRONG. I was cutting either the fiberglass mat or cloth to fit whatever shape and then trying to get the glass to fit around curves, edges, etc... It always ended up the same - air bubbles, wasting lots of fiberglass etc... I then remembered Archie's Miura build and there was a picture of the door panel - they were using smaller pieces of the glass mat that had been pulled apart - NOT CUT. I decided to try this and it worked - I learned something new! The pulled pieces easily fit the curves and contours and reduced the air bubbles. This allowed to move forward - check it out! But first...
As you know, I'm trying to create a door panel that has both a painted surface and vinyl covered surface. I finally figured out how to do both. This is the look I'm going for
After laying the template for the top piece that will be covered with vinyl, I took the trusty Dremel and carved out what will become the vinyl covered part of the top of the door panel
This was actually a lot of fun. I painted it to help me get a better idea
Standing back
I then flipped the door panel over and sanded the backside to prep for glassing
I then covered this area with packing tape - the tape keeps the fiberglass from sticking. Why am I doing this?
Using the method of glassing that I just described, I applied several layers of the pulled glass
One more
Once the resin and fiberglass cured I popped the form out - this was after some light sanding
Another
Now that I had a mold of the inner part of the door panel, I then very carefully removed / cut the upper shape from the door panel
I then took the mold I created and put it back into its original place
Another
Up close - this piece creates an area for me to mount the piece I removed after it will get a nice layer of vinyl. Make sense?
I then primed the door panel and began to fill holes
With the piece in place - it fits perfectly! The pulled pieces of glass made ALL the difference in the world
This is where I am with the radio console - I SHOULD have a basic shape by Sunday afternoon - lets hope!
That's it for now
[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 03-06-2010).]
I will have to find it, but Katatak spoke the exact same words.
"But, if I do the work myself.......it is a lot cheaper. Honey? Honey? Are you listening?" Yeah, I just better "ask" for forgiveness.
Just remember though... if you do get caught... you "have" to apologize, look oblivious, but APOLOGIZE... and be sincere - DON'T ACT sinere... BE sincere. Then a nite of dinner and flowers might be in order (not for you - but for her). This is a must for the "forgivness" to work. It's difficult... the things we must sacrifce just to propel our hobbies. It tough... but someone has to do it...
[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 03-06-2010).]
I've got updates but not as much as I would like - even though I worked ALL day. The day was spent sanding and filler holes in the door panel. I also had to work the area where the door handle trim piece mounts. The area was pretty rough and uneven.
I'm nearing the final stretches with the door panel.
I primed the radio console. I was hoping to get a lot farther along with this piece but maybe this week or by the weekend.
Another with more glass added at the base
As with anything... lots of filling and sanding
Another
That's about it. Not much to tell. I'm hoping to just move forward. I am considering building a glovebox that would mount where the "aftermarket" gloveboxes mount. Here's the idea
It would be very similar to the armrest console I created - black, white lid with a smaller Pontiac Logo in the bottom right hand corner
[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 03-08-2010).]
Awesome work on your interior. I have done two custom interiors now on my Fieros and here are some things that worked for me:
I painted the arm rests with vinyl paint; this works if they are not pulling apart.
I have also covered many items with stretchable vinyl. I have used Allsport (purchased from Rochford supply, they have a website). It will stretch 100% of original length. I used 3M 8088 contact cement, and had some problems with it releasing after a few months, so now after all is said and done I pick up the edges and superglue them as well.
Awesome work on your interior. I have done two custom interiors now on my Fieros and here are some things that worked for me:
I painted the arm rests with vinyl paint; this works if they are not pulling apart.
I have also covered many items with stretchable vinyl. I have used Allsport (purchased from Rochford supply, they have a website). It will stretch 100% of original length. I used 3M 8088 contact cement, and had some problems with it releasing after a few months, so now after all is said and done I pick up the edges and superglue them as well.
Keep up the good work Jim
Hey J,
Thanks for the kind words and the great advice! What paint did you use for the armrest? Was it a vinyl texture paint or paint exclusively for vinyl? You should post pics of your work - we would love to see it!
I used Duplicolor Vinyl and Fabric. I have also painted interior trim with it as well. It smells more like a lacquer, and probably etches into the vinyl and seems to stick well. It is not textured.
There is a post somewhere around about a paint that after it is applied, it looks like leather. As I recall, it is from Germany and is very expensive and does not come in a rattle can. Jim
I used Duplicolor Vinyl and Fabric. I have also painted interior trim with it as well. It smells more like a lacquer, and probably etches into the vinyl and seems to stick well. It is not textured.
There is a post somewhere around about a paint that after it is applied, it looks like leather. As I recall, it is from Germany and is very expensive and does not come in a rattle can. Jim
The texture paint from Germany is called Lunitec / Lederoptik. That was my original idea for the center console I created. And you are correct - it is REALLY expensive - mostly shipping. However, it does come in a can Check it out
just don't point that thing at me 
fly grasshopper! be free!
