TUTORIAL: Upholstering Door Panels/Custom Interior PICS!

[619 CUSTOMS]

Ok everyone; here is the tutorial for re-upholstering our 8G door panels, headliner and rear panel (covering rear speakers). I will go through each step with you to make sure you get those interior pieces done right. And note that I am not liable for any damage you cause to your own ride/interior, work at your own risk and just be patient…ok lets get started.

First make sure you are working in a open area free from clutter and make sure that it is well ventilated….trust me

Items/tools needed:
- 2 yards of fabric (your choice), this is for all 4 door panels
- 1 can of 3M Super 77 adhesive (Home Depot $7)
- Soldering Tool (Home Depot $15)
- Philips Screwdriver
- Flathead Screwdriver (optional)
- 12mm socket and wrench
- Razor blade/box cutters
- Scissors
- Stapler/staple gun (optional)


Ok now I started with the rear doors, just because they are easier to remove and put back on, and just safer to start with the easier stuff.

Step 1.

Remove rear door panels. These panels have 3 screws, 1 on the door handle, 1 in the holder on the armrest of the panel, and 1 on the upper right corner of the panel (this one is covered by a cap, and can be exposed by popping the cap up with your finger nail or a flathead screwdriver.

**Now make sure you have both rear windows down, trust me this will make it much easier to take the panels off and put them back on. Do this for the front panels also**

After removing the screws, you can start at the bottom of the panel and give it a good pull until you hear and feel that it’s been pried from the door. Now going up pry each clip and when you get to the top just pull upwards and the panel will be free.

And finally you will just have to unplug the window operating wire bundle, easy it just unplugs by pushing down on the clip and pulling it out.

Step 2

Now you have to get the armrest trim off (either a silver color or the wood grain color), this can be done by turning the door over and removing the 3 screws which hold it in place (pictured below red circles).
After that you are going to need to take off the foam padding, this is where you use the 12mm socket to take off the 3 pieces holing in the foam (pictured below blue circles), just twist counter clockwise and the come right off.

You are also going to need to remove the black strip at the top of the panel (pictured below yellow arrow)

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/6709/panel1rm6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Step 3.

Now its time to get to the Infamous little white clips/rivets (pictured below green cirlcles) which hold in the panel we need to re-upholster. There have been different methods tossed around like just breaking them and using screws to replace them or just leaving them on and going around and just tuck the material under, or using a heat gun to melt them.

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/1245/panel2xo8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I went a different route and used a soldering tool. Like the heat gun it melts the clips, but the difference is that the soldering tool is much more effective and you can manipulate the clips to shape them and replace the panel to how it was, instead of completely melting them away.

Carefully holding the soldering tool like a pen, start lifting the edges of the white rivets so that they can slide right through (pictured below). Continue this with all of the rivets until you can completely remove the panel to be re-upholstered. This process will be done for all 4 panels

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/1037/panel3db6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2869/panel3qx2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/7025/panel4xz2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3020/panel5uw0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8382/panel6bb2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2306/panel7ba2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Step 4.

Now its time to start wrapping the panel with the fabric of your choice. Cut out the fabric using the panel as a guide and give yourself a couple inches to work with on the outsides which will be tucked (pictured below)

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8746/panel8vi5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Take your 3M Super 77 adhesive (pictured below) and start at the top of the panel. Spray some on the adhesive on the upper lip of the panel; let it sit for a few seconds to let it get nice and sticky, then wrap/tuck the upper part of your fabric over it (pictured below). For the next part it might be best for you to get some help from someone to avoid any air bubbles. After letting the upper lip dry, you can begin to spray a generous coat of the adhesive on the stock panel; you could even spray a light coat on the underside of your fabric. Once again let it sit for a bit, and with the help from someone, you can pull up on the fabric and let you partner start to apply the fabric starting at the top and working towards the bottom to make sure that there are no air bubbles.

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1610/panel14fu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8746/panel8vi5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5223/panel9uv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Now just continue to tuck/wrap your fabric using the adhesive, and use your razor blade to trim the extra material in the back that is not needed. (pictured below)

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/3267/panel10sb6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/5121/panel11wi8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Let the panel sit for a few minutes and start backwards from step 3 and begin to re-apply the panel and the rest of the parts to your door. Use the soldering tool again to heat the plastice rivets and re-melt them to hold the panel in place (pictured below)

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/80/panel12sq8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/3330/panel13pc1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This process is also the same for the front doors, but the front doors have 5 screws instead of 3...

I will be posting the tutorial for the headliner and back panel later, once I have finished mine.

If you have any other questions let me know and I will add to the tutorial.

Hope this helps

[o1naturalhigh]

hey...the part you stapled...it didn't poke through to the other side??? u mentioned nothing of the door handle part.

either way....great job... :smt023

[619 CUSTOMS]

hey...the part you stapled...it didn't poke through to the other side??? u mentioned nothing of the door handle part.

either way....great job... :smt023

to be honest you dont even really need to use staples, which is why i posted it as optional. that super 77 adhesive works wonders and really holds. and as far as the door handle part, you might need to do some triming on the edges so that you can get the trim to fit good, especially because the stock screw is really small...or you can just go out to your local hardware store and get a longer screw...you choice..

thanks again o1naturalhigh...good lookin out bro

[o1naturalhigh]

yeah...i know of the 3m adhesive...i used it on my old truck when i did my interior on that...

[02GalantMrSBF]

alright easy part done... reading the steps and looking at pics. now comes the more difficult part.. actually trying it!!! Good luck everyone who will be trying this! And good job on the tutorial! :D

[619 CUSTOMS]

alright easy part done... reading the steps and looking at pics. now comes the more difficult part.. actually trying it!!! Good luck everyone who will be trying this! And good job on the tutorial! :D

lol...yea good luck, just be patient...thanks again

[1ststrike]

awesome tutorial :smt023. im gong to try it on my back panel tomorrow. hopefully it wont do a crappy job

[619 CUSTOMS]

awesome tutorial :smt023. im gong to try it on my back panel tomorrow. hopefully it wont do a crappy job

thanks, good luck. just have some patience and you should be fine. post some pics if you can. and welcome to tgc.

[devgrp]

Nice tutorial bro

[Xavier22]

i agree - you broke all the steps down good. -

[619 CUSTOMS]

Nice tutorial bro

thanks a lot bro...good lookin out..

[The F.B.I]

since your here in the 619 where did u get ur fab from? and does it come in black hahah 8)

[o1naturalhigh]

since your here in the 619 where did u get ur fab from? and does it come in black hahah 8)i think he got it at a yardage town by his pad...there's also UFO's in national city...they got black suede over there...UFO=upholstery factory outlet (i think)

[619 CUSTOMS]

since your here in the 619 where did u get ur fab from? and does it come in black hahah 8)i think he got it at a yardage town by his pad...there's also UFO's in national city...they got black suede over there...UFO=upholstery factory outlet (i think)

yea i got mine at my local yardage town...they have different colors, but yea you can also get some at ufo's i saw some there too.

[The F.B.I]

since your here in the 619 where did u get ur fab from? and does it come in black hahah 8)i think he got it at a yardage town by his pad...there's also UFO's in national city...they got black suede over there...UFO=upholstery factory outlet (i think)

yea i got mine at my local yardage town...they have different colors, but yea you can also get some at ufo's i saw some there too. maybe i can get mine in before MOD!!!

[bmxmike]

Question....Will the 3m you used also work on vinal? I'm Using a black vinal to wrap my head lined and was going to pull every thing off and clean off the board so i can get good adhesion. Also planned on stapiling any other suggestions?

[o1naturalhigh]

Question....Will the 3m you used also work on vinal? I'm Using a black vinal to wrap my head lined and was going to pull every thing off and clean off the board so i can get good adhesion. Also planned on stapiling any other suggestions?if not, they also make a 3m hi strength 90....

[The F.B.I]

Question....Will the 3m you used also work on vinal? I'm Using a black vinal to wrap my head lined and was going to pull every thing off and clean off the board so i can get good adhesion. Also planned on stapiling any other suggestions? im using the same 3m with black vinal also i would say it's sticking on there very very good... but i guess the 3m 90 would work even better :wink:

[Armijo17]

Looks Good Man

[1ststrike]

just finished doing my panels, and they look awsome, except the first one i crapped up. i wish i could find my camera and take some pics. great tutorial :smt003

[619 CUSTOMS]

just finished doing my panels, and they look awsome, except the first one i crapped up. i wish i could find my camera and take some pics. great tutorial :smt003

glad to hear you had success and my tutorial helped you out. get those pics up asap, thanks again :D

[1ststrike]

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/9278/img0003xv1.jpg
i just need to finish painting the door handle thing ^^^^

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/3041/img0006ck4.jpg
finished with this one ^^^^

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7198/img0007kq1.jpg
heres what the others looked like before

pictures are kind of crappy. i cant really show the details of how the new vs the old look.

[The F.B.I]

i need to post my pix to... this tutorial made everything easy... thanks bro 8)

[legendx]

I just finished with ALOT of my GF's help. click on pics and zoom in to see the real detail.
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/1238/img0375fb8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
By legendx (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/legendx), shot with Canon PowerShot SD700 IS (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=Canon+PowerShot+SD700+IS&make=Canon) at 2007-07-19

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/42/img0374vu8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
By legendx (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/legendx), shot with Canon PowerShot SD700 IS (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=Canon+PowerShot+SD700+IS&make=Canon) at 2007-07-19

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/3734/img0377mf0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
By legendx (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/legendx), shot with Canon PowerShot SD700 IS (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=Canon+PowerShot+SD700+IS&make=Canon) at 2007-07-19

[1ststrike]

you put mine to shame :(. where did you get that material from?

[legendx]

Jo-Ann Fabrics $14 a yard. only needed 1 but got 2 just in case, soooo worth it.

[619 CUSTOMS]

all the panels are lookin good...glad to see that my tutorial helped you all out...keep em' comin, and thanks for all the props..

[Eclipse97526]

Wow, i really need to get me some fabric, that looks easy and funn !!!! And that would fix the burn holes from my stupid ex-girlfrined.

[badmitsu]

i guess i'm lucky, mine came factory w/ vinal!

[Eclipse97526]

I always do severe ammounts of research on something before doing it, i spoke with my apholstery guy, he has been in it for 4 generations threw his family. He knew some very valuable info. As far as apholstery goes, i was wondering, Did you Replace the foam underneath as well ? And I thought i would point out, the 3m sprays are only good up to 120 Degrees. The average car in a 90 degree day is 120 degrees. So thought i would bring that up, Locktight makes a new adhesive, it should work, ill keep ya posted.

[legendx]

I live in the Magic city and it gets well over 90 every day and have had no problems, but i also have very dark tints.

[fatal1]

also depends on what strenghth3m spray you get and how much you lay down...theres super 66, 88 etc you can get the good stuff from an upholstery shop though, many of them will sell you some of the glue they use

[Galantluv21]

Did you use microfiber suede for this project? And if so will this fade?

[vorcatecIZback]

Nice thread. Definitely alot easier than the grunt work I have been doing lol.

[beam514]

id like to do this but i don't know if i'd like the melt the rivets

[spdracr]

i like ur work guys, and reminds me of my old car, i painted the doors but it came out horrible but i used suede and it came out and it faded so i tried one door with black vinyl

http://gallery.cloudcars.org/d/33963-2/Picture_012.jpg

http://gallery.cloudcars.org/d/33966-2/Picture_013.jpg


hopefully i will do my G soon and i will post pics

[o1naturalhigh]

id like to do this but i don't know if i'd like the melt the rivetsyou'd rather break them off and use screws? as to melting them back in place?? :?

[fatal1]

they really cant be melted back to place unfortunatelly screws are the best alternative just make sure you cut off all teh backs where they are melted so you are able to get a screw in there......if done right the screws are just as good and tight my panels were professionally uphostered and thats how they did them....


also when just simply wrapping the door panels you do not have to break all the tabbs really and it can acually be done by using the butter knife trick....this is what i did when i did them the first time in my old car and it came out very good, just make sure you lay down a good amount of glue

[619 CUSTOMS]

they really cant be melted back to place unfortunatelly screws are the best alternative just make sure you cut off all teh backs where they are melted so you are able to get a screw in there......if done right the screws are just as good and tight my panels were professionally uphostered and thats how they did them....


also when just simply wrapping the door panels you do not have to break all the tabbs really and it can acually be done by using the butter knife trick....this is what i did when i did them the first time in my old car and it came out very good, just make sure you lay down a good amount of glue

mine melted back into place just fine without a problem, and they are still holding up till this day.

[HungarianHunter]

Hey, this tut is fantastic! I'm gonna try this as soon as I get my 2001 galant, about a month when I get back from vacation. But I want to use a red fabric, probably suede, kind of like a bright firetruck red. Was just wondering if anyone saw any potential problems with using this color?

Thanks guys!

[galantdriver1036]

well the way you break down the steps make the job look easy. So I'm going to be doing that soon to my interior because the girl i bought my car off of put burn holes and everything else in it

[mtgraves2010]

Nice tutorial...This will be my next project...The previous owner had burnt holes in the fabric that I will definetly replace..

[Sokhar]

Just so I am 100% clear here, You sprayed the adhesive right on the old interior fabric? Then proceeded to wrap that?

Thanks

-Chris

[dGALANTc]

thats what i did and i worked fine for me http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/dgcimme/th_random067.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/dgcimme/?action=view&current=random067.jpg) black vinyl btw

[HungarianHunter]

Yeah just spray it right over the old fabric. I would recommend going to a fabric store and trying to find headliner spray glue, I used it and was happy with the stuff, it's holding my headliner up when the super 90 didn't even do it. This works for the door panels too.

[jusunknown]

I re-upholstered my doors a couple weeks ago. I actually cleaned the old panels before reuphosltering to remove any dirt or odors. The previous owner of my car was a smoker and the car smelled horrible. It actually removed alot of the odor. It also helped the adhesive bond better to the old and new fabric.

I also used 5/16's self tapping screws to attach the panel and door panel back together. Used 1/4" flat washers, because some of the holes where the plastic was melted opens up too much and the screw head actually slips through the opening. You can get a 50 pack of screws and washers, its more than enough.

[2002BlackDragon]

Hey HungarianHunter, I have bought some headliner spray glue from Wal-Mart thats made by 3M. Is this the same thing you used? Im not too worried about the door panels, more worried about the headliner. Just dont want to get stuck doing it more than once, if you know what i mean. lol.

[HungarianHunter]

Hey HungarianHunter, I have bought some headliner spray glue from Wal-Mart thats made by 3M. Is this the same thing you used? Im not too worried about the door panels, more worried about the headliner. Just dont want to get stuck doing it more than once, if you know what i mean. lol.

I know exactly what you mean, it took me 3 goes to get my headliner to work finally XD I don't think this stuff is my 3M, it could be though. It's got a black and purple label, with a purple cap, if I remember right. Got it at a fabric store.

[Fresh_617]

how do u cut it just right so it fits everything?

[HungarianHunter]

how do u cut it just right so it fits everything?

I just trimmed the excess after I already glued it to the panel.

[Fresh_617]

im in the boston area does anybody know where i could get some fabric lol home depot?

[beam514]

im in the boston area does anybody know where i could get some fabric lol home depot?

home depot doesn't sell fabrics. You're going to have to go to a fabric store, or some arts and crafts store sell them

[HungarianHunter]

im in the boston area does anybody know where i could get some fabric lol home depot?

Wal-Mart has a big fabric section too. Not the grocery store, but the big super Wal-Marts that sell everything. That's where I got mine. Or just google "Fabric Store" + your area code :)

[Fresh_617]

thanks man ill b sure 2 let u kno the results

[619 CUSTOMS]

Glad to see that everyone is putting use to my tutorial...good to hear its working for you guys, keep up the good work!

[2002BlackDragon]

Thanks for posting it man. It helps out alot.

[tony2face]

Great tutorial i did my doors today they came out awesome, took me 2 hours for each door.Ill try to post some pics tomorrow. My friends don't believe i did it myself they said it looks professionally done.

[tony2face]

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w190/tony2face/car/DSC00556.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w190/tony2face/car/DSC00568.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w190/tony2face/car/DSC00571.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w190/tony2face/car/DSC00574.jpg

[tony2face]

I will post some more pics after installing them tomorrow.

[ILLogical]

Damn that looks great so far.

[mrg7243]

it does, what the solder iron for?

[Fresh_617]

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w190/tony2face/DSC00556.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w190/tony2face/DSC00568.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w190/tony2face/DSC00571.jpg

did way better of a job then i did lol

[tony2face]

it does, what the solder iron for?

The solder iron is for melting the white plastic rivets to remove the panel then to replace it. There's pics on the first page. I am very pleased with the outcome, just needed a little patience..

[99 galant]

it looks great, nice work

[tony2face]

Thanks guys

[Redhaze]

What fabric is that and how many yards did you use for all four? just curious.

[dknight3]

just what i was looking for! thanks, i was wondering how you are supposed to get those clips off and i never even thought of melting it! gj

[tony2face]

What fabric is that and how many yards did you use for all four? just curious.

It's a black vinyl i picked up at a local fabric store,they had a couple different ones but the texture on this one was a little softer so it was easy to work with.
I bought two yards but only used 1.5 yards that's with cutting it a little bigger then trimming it.
And if i remember correctly i paid about $12.00 per yard

[ILLogical]

It's a black vinyl i picked up at a local fabric store,they had a couple different ones but the texture on this one was a little softer so it was easy to work with.
I bought two yards but only used 1.5 yards that's with cutting it a little bigger then trimming it.
And if i remember correctly i paid about $12.00 per yard

You can get some good black vinyl off amazon for about 4.95 a yard, Free shipping. And my problem is I don't know how to replace the rivets, I'm using screws right now but I messed up with the melting so I just got rid of them and now I'm having a bit of an issue with it.. Any suggestions? The screws only fit in a couple slots.

[NewGalantKid]

Do you need to remove the foam?

[dGALANTc]

you can but it is not neccesary i didnt remove mine and this is the final product

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab236/dgcimme/random066.jpg

[Fresh_617]

^ again much better then mine turned out lol

[Jans2008]

here is my job :)

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9296/dsc01417zx.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/59/dsc01417zx.jpg/)

salu2

[QnzMostWanted]

when i did my 99 G
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r132/Qnzfinest1981/DSC00535.jpg

when i did my 01 G

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r132/Qnzfinest1981/dsc01397.jpg

[310flow]

thanks I just did this on my car and ur advice really helped thanks.. ill post up pics soon

[es_fact]

Great tut!

subscribing for future reference

[Dominicano]

instead of melting the plastic rivets why not just take a drill bit drill enough of the head off, then use short screws with a large head to hold them, its an alternative to melting it.

[Dominicano]

when i did my 99 G


when i did my 01 G

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r132/Qnzfinest1981/dsc01397.jpg

where did you get that material? that's hot!

[BassinG]

I really wish my interior wasn't tan. I wanted to do the carbon fiber vinyl but i dont think it will look good with the tan. I might do the black vinyl.

[drm3613]

Looks easier than I thought I'm definetly trying this next week

[inferiouss]

little bit of topic, but i have question about trim pieces. did u guys paint them or do u have DE model?

[Redhaze]

If your talking about the door trim on the interior they painted them.

[inferiouss]

by far the hardest thing to do is reattach the little rivets. i keep getting a small gap.

[JGBAKER]

I have grey interier with wood grain trim. would like to do
Mine in black vinal. Will it look funey with the wood grain?
Can I paint wood grain black?
Jg

[CHICAGO_ONE]

Did mine over the weekend. Shaved the foam off. PITA but I think it was worth it.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/DOWER_ONE/3dcbfce4.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/DOWER_ONE/09b46d35.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/DOWER_ONE/49c27781.jpg

[tony2face]

^ Looks Good.

[Slayer-33]

This is HOT.

[JDyal]

Did mine over the weekend. Shaved the foam off. PITA but I think it was worth it.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/DOWER_ONE/3dcbfce4.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/DOWER_ONE/09b46d35.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/DOWER_ONE/49c27781.jpg



Nice what material did you use?

[Fresh_617]

Did mine over the weekend. Shaved the foam off. PITA but I think it was worth it.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/DOWER_ONE/3dcbfce4.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/DOWER_ONE/09b46d35.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/DOWER_ONE/49c27781.jpg

YES very nice!

[white2k3mitsu]

Hey does any one still have any pics of how to melt the clips off and back on

[drm3613]

Hey does any one still have any pics of how to melt the clips off and back on

Nah man it's been a while since I last did it. Your best bet though would be to buy some self threading screws with a washer to replace what you melted off. Although it is best that you remelt it back together. When I did it I bought the screws in case I couldn't melt it back in.

[white2k3mitsu]

How long of a screw

[trougtyr]

I work in a factory so I can just go and grab a handful from a box and send them to you if you want

[white2k3mitsu]

I would greatly appreciate it but to be honest I'm impatient and since they will probably cost no more then $10 at a store if I knew exactly how long of a screw and the exact type I'd rather do that for convenience, I just installed the Diamante dash and it's 90% black with tan side center console and I kinda wanna hurry and finish my interior

[drm3613]

I would greatly appreciate it but to be honest I'm impatient and since they will probably cost no more then $10 at a store if I knew exactly how long of a screw and the exact type I'd rather do that for convenience, I just installed the Diamante dash and it's 90% black with tan side center console and I kinda wanna hurry and finish my interior

I wish I could remember the size that I used but that was so long ago man!

[white2k3mitsu]

It's cool thanks anyways, I just bought a set of JDM door cards should be here in two weeks