I have a question for anyone with experience or ideas on what to do. Im wrapping my dash with black microsuede (or alcantara)but there is a impression on the dash in the vinyl. You can kind of see it above and to the left of the passenger vent. Its about 4 inches long and 1/8 of and inch at its deepest. Any ideas on what to use to fill that before laying the microsuede/alcantara. I had an idea about that canned foam and sanding it down so its even but i dont know how that will stick. I supposed i can use a thicker foam and cut according to the size and stick it with the 3m adhesive Im using for the wrap. Suggestions?

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

 

this would probably work, but don't expect it to come off nicely. you may also be able to find something better on that website, just look around.

 

some others have suggested using silicone. That might be a good option with keeping the fairly softish feel of the dash in tact. Some high temp to fill in the crevasse, let it dry then spray the 3m adhesive sounds like it might do the trick.

 

Post pics of your progress

 

OK, i was considering making a build thread since thats basically what Im doing. Will give updates. Hopefully Ill have the dash and doors wrapped by the end of next week

 

+1 on the silicone, just make sure you find one that is meant to stick to vinyl.

 

im confused what youre asking... isnt the impressions meant for all the trim to sit in semi flush? or are talking about somethign else? id probably use "great stuff" the 5 buck insulation foam at homedepot.. that stuff is super sticky and shouldnt have a problem adhering..

what adhesive are you using to wrap the dash? and are you just covering the existing vinyl? ill be doing the same soon and i think im going to us DAP contact cement for the adhesive... def post pics up of your progress!

 

the dash had something sitting on it or it was sitting against it while it was being stored and has a "dent" in it right in front of the passenger side on top where it should be smooth. Im going to use the 3M high strenth 90 spray adhesive. Ive been researching for a while and i found some other people who wrapped their dash with good outcomes use the 3M spray. Yeah, just the existing vinyl as there is also a crack in it by the center speaker outlet(93 dash). What are you going to wrap the dash with?

 

id be a little weary on the 3m spray..i use it for school projects and such but nothing like the caliber of upholstery use. IMO i think it may be a little too weak. I've researched it as well and got mixed reviews.. obviously this is a bias opinion, (with not data to prove it) but i feel like the spray adhesive wont withstand the heat..

I had a friend who did do the headliner of his GTI and it sagged. he just redid it with contact cement and hasnt had any issues so far (a month or two)

TIP: (i just learned at work) you use contact cement like spray adhesive. coat each side and let them dry to a tacky state THEN apply them together.

I will be using vinyl when i attempt this..

 

The 90 will work fine. I sprayed my a-pillars covers when I put new vinyl on them. The are holding up fine a year later even with the summer heat here (110+). Jut fallow the instructions which is like ^he posted above.

 

Ive decided to use black alcantara to wrap the dash and door panels so this might take me a little bit longer since its quite more expensive than the material I was going to use. I figured it was the smart thing not to cut any corners and do it right the first time. I also read different reviews and was swayed by using DAP but I may practice using a bit of the cheaper microsuede and the 3M 90 spray on random peices of old interior from my FC.

 

omg wrapping the door card is sooooo hard........ this vinyl doesnt shrink or stretch that much....... eeks! may have to try a suede.....

 

sooo, my first attempt. some pointers.

put adhesive on both sides... i got impatient and only put it on the door card and some spots dont stay down because theres not enough glue. so when im stretching the vinyl it conforms then lifts up.

wait til its tacky. if its still moiste, when you stretch and pull, the material will slide around.

my next attempt will be smaller sections, and do the general overall shape. then once majority of the fabric is adhered, start going up and stretching the fabric (so the previous portion stays and doesnt slide)

 

last tip. get a shitttttttttttt load of clips. i believe home depot has them for 1 buck each. its the smaller one with green rubber on it. when the fabric reaches the edge, clamping should hold the fabric better and decrease wrinkles

ps, i have no idea what im doing, this is my FIRST time, this is just going off other related knowledge and im winging it. please do not mistake my comments as a DIY or how its properly done. this is just my record of trial and error.

 

I wrapped the center panels of my doors, and I just went over the existing fabric. I figured it'd just be a little extra padding and I knew if I went to take the fabric off, I'd have to re-do the 25+ year old foam under it.

Wrapped in Cinnamon Whisper vinyl, it's the stuff they use for poker table tops and it matches my rx8 black/brown seats perfectly. I used a can of adhesive specifically made for headliners. Sprayed both sides, waited till tacky, and went to town. Even spraying the adhesive on the fabric, I was suprised. I did think it might not stick very well and I'd have to re-do it, but it worked great.

 

pics of it half done.....

 

bubbles...are you adhering it straight to the existing vinyl and then cutting the speaker holes/vent or did you use a template? Youre using DAP on both the vinyl and door? What are you going to do about getting rid of the billowing on the curvy parts of the edges?

 

lol i have nooo idea what im doing! hahaha this is more of my test piece to learn what not to do ahha

i am adhering it to the old vinyl and then cutting the out the speaker/vent holes
i laid it straight on- no template
Im using dap- im an idiot and didnt listen to my own advice, i only applied it on the door card and not the vinyl and didnt wait long enough for it to get tacky.
As far as the curvy parts of the edge, i THINK i can manage to get them out by stretching the material.

ps i am using a heat gun to massage the fabric as well

 

I know this thread is ancient but could you give me an estimate on how much fabric is needed to cover the dash, door panels and the transmission cover area around the shifter surround?

I'd like to do alcantara but the stuff is so expensive I'd like to avoid ordering a lot more than I need.

Also muibubbles, do you have any photos of the finished parts?

 

Contact cement by nature is designed to stick to itself, you MUST spray both pieces. Fabric is sold by the yard so will have to buy more than you need regardless and its better to have extra because of the odd shapes, there will be a lot of waste. I'd say about 2 yards for the dash so you have extra.

The door panels are super difficult because of the deep curve for the arm rest. This fabric has to be special because of the bowl. You need a fabric that has 5-way stretch capabilities, not standard 2 way, this usually means it will be foam backed and will need to be acquired from an upholstery shop, expect to pay 20-50 per yard depending on your selection. Don't go to Joannes and buy that $5 per yard suede crap, it fades super fast also. Ask me how I know. All the FD door panels ive seen wrapped have have joints and stitching to combat the curves of the door. They do look nice tho.