Door panel upholstery question

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Mar 11, 2010 | 03:22 PM

learpilot

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Kannapolis NC

Door panel upholstery question

I want to make my own panels and I bought some vinyl fabric from a local fabric shop which looked good, then I got the thin foam from an upholstery shop an I was going to mount it all on a sheet of plastic which is actually the type of stuff you see in bathroom walls which is white and has a knobby texture (using the smooth side). This stuff is just over 1/16 thick and looks like it will work. The problem is the vinyl, I tried a test piece and when I sprayed the 3m super adhesive the vinyl puckered and separated from its backing which is a fuzzy material which resembles flannel. Is there a specific type of vinyl which must be used? How do I identify it ? Thanks for your help

Mar 11, 2010 | 03:58 PM

Truxx1956

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Joined: Jul 2007

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From: I live in Leitchfield, KY

You've got a hold of some of that dollar a yard junk and it is overpriced at that. It is JUNK. The problem is the glue will eat up the vinyl cause of how its made. You need real upholstery grade vinyl, and even then they make different grades or weights. For door panels, you need lighter weight vinyl, but it needs to be the unbacked vinyl, but also, the spray glue you're using aint that great either. Sometimes you can get by with it, but I've never had that much sucess with it. I use contact glue that is professional grade and sprayed from a pot. It is pretty similar to what Lowes/home depot sells for formica counter tops. You can use this and brush or roll it on with an old roller but it will eat them up and you'll have to throw them away. Be sure to put it on the panel and the vinyl in well ventelated area.

Also, LOW humidity!!! Is the key to sticking and let it "tack" up so you can adjust it. I typically stick my stuff wet, but I've been doing this a while but stil make my share of mistakes too. Feel free to P.M. anytime.
I do this for a living.

Mar 11, 2010 | 05:41 PM

56panelford

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Joined: Oct 2005

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From: northwestern Ontario

Hey Terry, seeing as you do this for a living would you concider doing a how to gallery on various types and designs, how to build arm rests and such. I'd like to do some of the upholstry for my panel in the near future and this type of thread would be a great help to many on here and not likely take too much of your business away seeing as there is a fair amount of miles between most of us. Pretty please

Mar 11, 2010 | 08:36 PM

Truxx1956

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Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 2,344

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From: I live in Leitchfield, KY

I wouldnt mind a bit, but am such a techtard, I will have to get my sweetie or a buddy to post pics and help. This will take a while. I've been thinkin about this for a while anyway. In the meantime, you could get a load of tips and lots of great ideas from the book that Ron Mangus/Don Taylor has out on upholstery. Amazon has it. I think they have 2 out if I'm not mistaken. We got both of them and learned several tips ourselves, and we've been doin this for ALOT of years.

Meanwhile dont hesitate to P.M. me. I will get back to ya, but please be patient, I do work 2 jobs so I am kind of busy. I dont have to travel to either job, so I am able to check in here several times a day. Even if I dont post, I do check in from time to time.

Mar 12, 2010 | 12:13 AM

Julies Cool F1

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Joined: May 2008

Posts: 7,641

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From: Poway, Ca.

There was a very similar thread about this last week and a good discussion on vinyls and adhesives. Look back a few pages on the index for it.

AX Racer was very involved in it. If you can't find it, PM him for a title!