Yet another whole interior upgrade...
Thread Starter
Restricted User
iTrader: (24)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 0
From: Fleetwood, PA
HAHA I knew I was going to hear alot about the armrests. Which is good, because I love them too.
I did the covers myself...seams and all. I'm the kinda guy who does that sort of thing...when I see something I like, I set out to learn how it's done so I can do it myself. But to put it bluntly, it was a frikin nightmare of epic proportions. It is not easy, and by not easy I mean really really really insanely difficult. First of all, sewing those seams with two hands and a classic sewing machine takes alot of patience and some creativity. Second, just trying to wrap the armrests in vinyl, seams or no seams, is a monumental chore. The first one took over three hours, just to wrap. The second one took less than an hour because I had a rudimentary system set up at that point thanks to the first one. But i'm in no hurry to do it again. Thankfully the end result made everything worthwhile.
I plan on doing alot more seamwork...up the a-pillar covers, and somehow on the b-pillar panels (haven't scoped that one out yet)...i'd love to do it on the console somewhere, but I can't see where it would make sense. Any ideas?
I did the covers myself...seams and all. I'm the kinda guy who does that sort of thing...when I see something I like, I set out to learn how it's done so I can do it myself. But to put it bluntly, it was a frikin nightmare of epic proportions. It is not easy, and by not easy I mean really really really insanely difficult. First of all, sewing those seams with two hands and a classic sewing machine takes alot of patience and some creativity. Second, just trying to wrap the armrests in vinyl, seams or no seams, is a monumental chore. The first one took over three hours, just to wrap. The second one took less than an hour because I had a rudimentary system set up at that point thanks to the first one. But i'm in no hurry to do it again. Thankfully the end result made everything worthwhile.
I plan on doing alot more seamwork...up the a-pillar covers, and somehow on the b-pillar panels (haven't scoped that one out yet)...i'd love to do it on the console somewhere, but I can't see where it would make sense. Any ideas?
Man, that looks like some great work so far, can't wait to see the finished project. I'm with everyone else on the arm rests, they look amazing. If I get any more of my interior done I my have to use your idea, with all due credit to you of course 
; again, great job!
; again, great job! thats some class a work, i have black and red interior myself but nothing vinyl other than my amp wrack and i couldnt figure out out how to wrap the armrest andhid the seem i see rather than try and hid it you just displayed it with stiching which looks awesome by the way. i cant wait to see the finished product
Looks great! And great seam work, I can definately tell that was a pain in the ***, but completely worth the results! I was sitting in my buddys G35 the other day, looking around for ideas, and saw the seams on the armrest, and thought it would look nice, but not sure if it was worth the trouble. After seeing yours finished, its DEFINATELY worth the trouble!
Thread Starter
Restricted User
iTrader: (24)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 0
From: Fleetwood, PA
I am ecstatic because I never thought this would work...but I was determined to make it work. It still needs some details ironed out, but i'm just blown away that I got this far...
I'm going to work out those little wrinkles and dye all the seams yet. It's not perfect, but after what I went through to do it, it will do JUST FINE!
I'm going to work out those little wrinkles and dye all the seams yet. It's not perfect, but after what I went through to do it, it will do JUST FINE!
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Restricted User
iTrader: (24)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 0
From: Fleetwood, PA
Originally Posted by BAD *** TA WS6
Nice. You're in the same boat as me. After driving nice cars all day everyday, I sit in mine and get depressed.
I want to go with Alcantera and leather. Love those seams/stiching!
I want to go with Alcantera and leather. Love those seams/stiching!
I will say this...my original plan was to do Graphite leather and Red alcantra...until i got the samples and talked to a few guys who went the "suede" route. They said DON'T DO IT. And after seeing the samples I decided against it...the alcantra is just too delicate and it soaks up adhesive like mad...so that adds yet another dimension of insane difficulty to an already insanely difficult project. Also, alcantra is about five times the price of top-grain vinyl.
I should have new pics up tonight...i'm working on the door panels and center console now.
Last edited by Blakbird24; Mar 15, 2008 at 05:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Restricted User
iTrader: (24)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 0
From: Fleetwood, PA
Ok here are some more pics of progress...
The console all wrapped...
Obviously, the e-brake window will be cut further...i'm waiting for the redline boots to arrive then i'll finish that part.
While I was at the garage today, I put in a couple finished pieces where I could just to get them safely out of the way.
The console all wrapped...
Obviously, the e-brake window will be cut further...i'm waiting for the redline boots to arrive then i'll finish that part.
While I was at the garage today, I put in a couple finished pieces where I could just to get them safely out of the way.