Restoring cockpit trim

[markjhatch]

Hi

Looking to restore the rear cockpit trim. Looks like it is basically covered with thin black vinyl. Any words of wisdom here? I have never worked with vinyl. I expect that avoiding wrinkles has got to be a challenge? What glue should I use. (looks like the same technique could be used on the upper door trim too.)

[pebbles]

if you can save the old vinyl, remove it and use it as a pattern.
contact cement and relief cuts.

[dbrick]

Heat gun can help. try to get vinyl with thinner cloth backing. before you buy it, try to see if it stretches. Sometimes it will stretch in one direction, but not the other. I had some vinyl years ago that I was able to peel the cloth backing away from the vinyl, this made it very flexable, but not strong.

[Roman]

Heat gun is a must. Another handy item is a hard rubber roller available at a hobby store such as Michael's. Coat both surfaces with contact cement and let it tack dry before installing. If you can, enlist the help of another to hold up the vinyl so it doesn't get stuck onto the bar how you don't want. As someone is holding it up roll it down onto the flats. You can see on the old vinyl where they did the relief cutouts.

Once you have the flats done then heat and stretch it around the edges.

Roman ( been there done that)

[dbrick]

It will use alot of vinyl, but you may be best off laying the part on a yard of vinyl and cutting the vinyl to the "C" shape of the trim piece, with a few extra inches on each side. This way the top surface will sit flat, less puckering and relief cuts.

[notoptoy]

Or, take the piece to your local upholstery shop and ask them to cover it.

I did this with my Console - I stripped it clean, got all the old glue off first and gave it to them. I picked a vinyl grain I liked, came back in two weeks and for $50 bucks had the 2 sides of the radio console covered, the main console covered, and the lid repadded and covered, and new gray "frocking" inside.
I just told them to do it when they got to it and was in no rush. I wasn't happy with one radio console side, so they redid it right there while I waited took about 10 minutes.

This was way easier than me trying to do it, and probably way better too.

[Roman]

Or, take the piece to your local upholstery shop and ask them to cover it.


This was way easier than me trying to do it, and probably way better too.

Best answer yet.