Suede Pillers, Overhead panel, and Visors

[bimma360]

I forgot about this thread... thanks for all the kind comments guys. Honestly, its a very subtle mod. And the way i saw it... was the fading rubbery stuff that was on there before really that much more attractive not to try something new?

As far as stealing ideas... no such thing... im just surprised not that many have tried this already... all and all its very easy to do.

Dave

[BDSax]

please explain how you recovered the top panel? what kind of glue did you use? i found that most of the spray cans of glue suck, so i tried Contact Cement with vinyl and i failed.

[AndrewBird]

Get 3M spray adhesive. You could glue your dog to the ceiling with that stuff.

What about getting tan/creme suede for the rest of the headliner? Then it would be two-tone, but be the same texture.

[Jean]

The overhead panel isn't exactly flat, did you run into any problems with all the curves etc ? I imagine the oem vinyl material is heat molded on the panel for best fit , is that right ?

[bimma360]

Well, as far as the glue goes... i went to my nearest automotive store and purchased a can of spray glue that claimed it was designed for car interior upholstery. I guess time will only tell how well it holds up.

To recover the panel... first i simply removed the old material by pulling it away from the panel. The glue on there is what?... 18 years old, it was rather easy. I layed the panel on a flat serface sprayed the first third with the glue, and gave it like 30 sec to tac before i applied the material to it. After that i sprayed the second third and covered, and then the last third and covered. If i were to do all of this again, i would most likely use more glue. When i first started, i was afraid of using too much and making it look bad. But afterwards i realised that the parts where i did use more glue, it stuck on there really well.

As far as getting it to cover the groves, its all about placing the material from one end and moving towards the other, constently using your hands to get it into the groves and moving over the same areas until it sticks permanently. During this part there of course will be a little bit of stretching in order to keep it tight, and keep it from getting wrinkles. The MOST IMPORTANT part is to start from the end opposite the check panel. The check panel part of the the overhead panel is so steep on the sides, that the suede is not stretchy enough to cover it perfectly. I feel that if you started from the check panel end instead, you would ultimately cause wrinkles on the other end. Having said that, starting from the location i suggested would cause the material not to conform perfectly to the sides of the check panel location. However, to me this really isnt that noticable and just looks like the overall design of the entire panel. Lastly, if your overhead panel has breaks and small pieces missing like mine did, it makes things a little difficult in making it perfect. But when it comes down to it... it looks better then it did, so you really cant go wrong.

I also like the idea of using a creme/tan suede for the headliner. I'm in the process of arranging to have my seats done in a modena type leather, as well as the door and rear panel centers. Basically a black and modena two tone effect. So the headliner will ultimately get redone at some point.

Ok i think that answers most questions thus far. Sorry for the horrible spelling by the way, i've been in a hospital waiting room for 12 hours strait now... i really cant think strait... haha.

Dave

[BDSax]

wow, thanks for the nice write up! i plan on repairing the cracks on my electric sunroof trim panel before i recover it. im also going to use black vinyl so i think it will be a bit more stretchy

[motorsports_3]

I did the same thing, with the Jo ann fabric, but mine didnt come out as good. :( My A pillars came out fine, I also did the rear speaker shelf. I am thinking about doing the b pillars also.

[bimma360]

Yeah i've been thinking about the b pillars as well...

[StereoInstaller1]

Guys, if you own an air compressor, go buy a super cheapass $10 spray gun and a gallon of "Landau Top Adhesive" from Weldwood. It shoots just fine right out of the can and IS professional glue. Don't bother cleaning the gun, just leave it in there and use it like once a month, it will be fine for a year or so, then toss the gun.

You will never touch a spray can of glue again.

[Tricked 323i]

Guys, if you own an air compressor, go buy a super cheapass $10 spray gun and a gallon of "Landau Top Adhesive" from Weldwood. It shoots just fine right out of the can and IS professional glue. Don't bother cleaning the gun, just leave it in there and use it like once a month, it will be fine for a year or so, then toss the gun.

You will never touch a spray can of glue again.

+1 and make sure the glue is completely dry to the touch or it will bleed through your material.
Kevin

[Schnitzer318is]

Guys, if you own an air compressor, go buy a super cheapass $10 spray gun and a gallon of "Landau Top Adhesive" from Weldwood. It shoots just fine right out of the can and IS professional glue. Don't bother cleaning the gun, just leave it in there and use it like once a month, it will be fine for a year or so, then toss the gun.

You will never touch a spray can of glue again.

I will be trying this soon. One of my A pillars is wrinkling anyway. Wish our headliner wasn't of the hung variety but an actual solid piece with material on it so I could do that too. Plus doesn't the rear window have to be removed to do the headliner on our cars?

[StereoInstaller1]

On the spray gun glue, shoot lightly or it will bleed through, too.

Wish our headliner wasn't of the hung variety but an actual solid piece with material on it so I could do that too.

I have actually been contemplating making a fiberglass mold of the roof of mine so I can make an actual headliner. Even though I am 6'1", I have enough headroom to do this, I think.

I think the "hung" headliner is ugly as hell, personally.

[bimma360]

Haha ohh man i wish i knew all that about the glue and the gun ahead of time. Oh well, looks like something to redo later on when the glue thats on there now fails.

Oh and Kevin... stop posting and finsih my interior. ;) No but really. I really cant wait to get this thing.

Dave

[Jparkr]

On the spray gun glue, shoot lightly or it will bleed through, too.I have actually been contemplating making a fiberglass mold of the roof of mine so I can make an actual headliner. Even though I am 6'1", I have enough headroom to do this, I think.

I think the "hung" headliner is ugly as hell, personally.

luke i'm 6'2 and it won't work; well I don't think it will anyway because the sunroof tub hangs centered about an inch below the actual roof.
You could mount to it, but it would be a bitch molding around the gaping area's all around the tub.

[Schnitzer318is]

Do it Luke and then report on your progress. :) I am in aggreeance on the ugliness of the hung headliner. Was thinking of doing some sort of rigid foam headliner, fabric wrapped of course. Fiberglass would be much harder, but also more durable. Plus I hate how the entry lights are in those plastic fu%king holders that always break. Would much rather have them in the headliner.