Interior parts needed...Please

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Peeps...I have been out of work now for quite a while mainly due to illness but have made a decision to invest my time into doing something creative so will be studying upholstery and re-trimming..Im about to invest in a sewing machine that will be capable of stitching vinyl, Leather and heavy fabric.

My plan is to make a variety of items some practical and some novelty but my main goal is to re-trim interiors...I have a pair of wedge seats...2 x 350i Arm rests to practise on and will also use parts of mine to do the same..However at some point i would like to obtain a dash, Tunnel cover and small centre consoles..(For now at least) if anyone has any spares i could borrow please.

I will also talk with Malcolm at LCC as regards to the veneers although I'm confident of achieving good results to door handles, Glove box fronts and centre console..(Small) panels...I will also be perfecting the edging of carpet and piping of leather and vinyl.

I can't promise DC trim standards but who knows with plenty of practise.....

Cheers...Ziga

[ElvisWedgely]

How about sewing in rear windows for the hood. Something that's in demand not only by TVR but throughout most convertible classics. A heavy duty sewing machine and a bit of practice could do wonders. 'Zigazaga's Mobile Upholsterers and Hood Restorers'

Tony. TCB.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Tony...That could be a road i venture down later on but there are complications that go along with doing that unfortunately..If it was something that could be done in situ then great but removing the rear section of the hood might be a bit of a nightmare..Putting it back on may prove to be equally as bad...I should imagine there will always be some that will be easier than others...There is a stitch called "Zig-Zag" ..Quite aptly named but mine may only be called that after a few too many whiskeys....

[Sireatalot]

Hi Mark.

I've still got the interior bits in the 280i - transmisson tunnel cover / dash / centre cluster cover, door cards etc..

Im not sure what my plan is yet with regards to the 280i - selling it as a project to someone.. turning it into a track car etc.. but if you wanted 'practice' items - they are there for you.

let me know.
Dom

[mrzigazaga]

Thanks Dom....I guess you could end up with a free fresh interior... Hopefully i will see you on the 20th...Cheers matey...Ziga

[Sireatalot]

wouldnt expect it free - happy to cover costs and forward a few whisky tokens

I could bring a couple of bits with on the 20th if you wanted them sooner rather than later ?

[jindle]

Mark, I have a dash you can have, and once you've had some practice I'd like to order a new set of handbrake/gear gaiters. Am on the other side of London if you want to collect otherwise can ship it or whatever.

[MonkeykingZX]

Definitely something I'd be interested in once I get to that point as most of my interior needs re doing, don't have any spare parts but best of luck with having a crack at it!

[mrzigazaga]

Cheers for the response chaps..Obviously it will take me a little while to get more confident..I will be working in Vinyl mainly as the leather is an expensive medium to get wrong.
@Dom. Weather permitting on the 20th could you could bring the arm rests and centre console please..

@Jindle. Thanks for the offer of the dash, I will sort out a day to pop over to you..Probably be a Saturday or Sunday if thats convenient..Theres no major hurry at the minute but will sort it in the next few weeks.

@ MonkeykingZX. Hopefully once i have got to grips with a few different styles instead of just covering panels then there will be some choices available..Variants of vinyl/Leather and different colour stitching.

I will attempt some gaiters for deco as i could do with some new ones..If they are simple then i will make them in leather in a choice of colour...But one step at a time...There will be loads of theory then practical..There is a local college that offers courses in upholstery which helps but i was advised by a trimmer that the best way is to "Just do it"..And perfect it as you go along..Thanks...Ziga

[jindle]

Sundays should be fine mate, my Saturdays are dedicated to football !

[KelWedge]

Mark, I have a dash and lots of other interior bits in my spares shed, I am sure a lot of us need gearstick gaiter things and as the inside of my car is a combination of three! And so are the bits in the shed, plenty of practice you can have!
And have a good and in a couple of days

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Kelvin...Cheers for the offer of the bits and the well wishes..Have to be careful that it doesn't get out of control like it did a couple of years ago...

Im learning about the different stitch types..Apparently the french stitch is what is used on the gaiters and the majority of the joins on the dash...Centre consoles...Arm rests....rear trim...I will also practise the edging for carpets as that will also be part of my learning curve..My first machine will be here tuesday so i can start on the spare 350 arm rests that i have..The sun visors and my centre console and transmission tunnel cover..Looking forward to it actually..Which is weird as i would never of thought i would get excited about a sewing machine...

Cheers...Ziga

[MethylatedSpirit]

Zig, talk to some local engineering companies and see if you can get the dash parts made from stainless steel, brushed aluminium or anodised aluminium . + Sell on for small (or large) profit.

Would be a good alternative to covering the dash in horrible carbon fibre wrap, as a lot of people do when they can't replace.



This might be of interest to you... There is a kit to recolor the leather and vinyl;

http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Colourant...

The spray gun provided could be replaced with a decent hobby airbrush. I used it on my chimaera, with a good bit of practice the results were amazing!

Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Friday 8th August 23:21

[mrzigazaga]

MethylatedSpirit said:

Zig, why not talk to some local engineering companies and see if you can get the dash parts made from stainless steel or brushed aluminium. + Sell on for small (or large) profit.

Would be a good alternative to covering the dash in horrible carbon fibre wrap, as a lot of people do when they can't replace.

Good idea mate..Im not a fan of the carbon wrap dash myself although some of the hydro-graphics are pretty stunning...Someone did tell me that sometimes that when removing the dash there is a possibility of cracking the original veneer..I have an old school furniture restorer who does little bits foe me and is more than capable of re-veneering..I would have to lacquer them though as he only french polishes..The stainless steel or brushed alloy could be an option if thats what people want...Although hopefully this will become my bread on the table so to speak my goal is not to be too pricey..It horrifies me what some people want to charge...Yes their work is stunning and should be at their premiums but personally i would not pay 5K for an interior..

Cheers...Ziga

Just seen your edited part...I have seen the furniture clinic video and one from Magic mend but i was a bit sceptical as it seems the same as re-connollising which i had done on the Chim seats in my Wedge..Unfortunately it comes off in a very short time although i don't know if this is the case with the aforementioned?...I used some vinyl dyes for mine to see if i like the contrast of grey...I would however re-trim as the feel of the painted areas is a bit tacky..Even now after months...

Edited by mrzigazaga on Saturday 9th August 01:13

[MethylatedSpirit]

The brushed aluminum and stainless steel dash is a popular upgrade for the more curvy tvrs.

If you're looking to lacquer the wood veneer, then I would suggest looking at lacquers and techniques specific to guitars. Same materials and all that.

[mrzigazaga]

MethylatedSpirit said:

The brushed aluminum and stainless steel dash is a popular upgrade for the more curvy tvrs.

If you're looking to lacquer the wood veneer, then I would suggest looking at lacquers and techniques specific to guitars. Same materials and all that.

Funny you should say that i actually tried loads of various lacquers and then tried some guitar lacquer which leaves a really nice gloss and dries very quickly...Ideally it needs cutting compound to finish it off...

Here was some bits that i tested...

BEFORE:


AFTER:

[MethylatedSpirit]

When I done the chim seats, there was a "sealent" that went over the painted leather which took away the tackyness. It lived up fine with me using it every day to go to university, often coming out with trousers and top soaked from walking to the car park.

Guitar lacquer is the way to go for finishing off wood. The compound from Halfords which is a couple of quid is as good as any if you're doing it by hand... (imo)... or use toothpaste which has the same effect. A rotary or da polisher makes this job dead easy (£20-200 depending what you want out of it)

[mrzigazaga]

That halfords tin in the bottom pic was the first clear VHT lacquer that i tried but it wasn't much cop...I used this stuff that gave the best and most manageable finish...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nitrocellulose-Lacquer-A...

Available also in different colours if needed...Thanks for the tips....

[Transmitter Man]

Mark,

Good luck with the trimming department.

Not sure what type of 'industrial' sewing machine you're looking at investing in but if you have a choice you may wish to find out if it can do parallel stitching or if there's an add-on to offer this.

I only suggest this as if you've ever seen it it looks stunning.

Not sure if this shows it but you get the idea:

http://www.car0-60.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/...

Phil
420 SEAC

[prideaux]

Well done Mark it will take time to perfect but fantastic to learn a new trade company name suggestions
Meaga Zig Transformations LTD
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