Interior re-trim - colour change

[volospian]

For those that have re-trimmed (or had someone else re-trim) their cars, how easy is it to change the colour of the interior?

Do all the trim parts come off easily enough, or are some rivertted, glued atc. that makes them a real PITA to remove and re-cover.

Also, what about headlining? I've noticed mine is sagging near the rear screen. Has anybody replaced their headlining?

[sonnylad]

No idea on main parts, but have heard the rear screen needs to be removed for head lining.

Russ

[Ireland]

My interior colour "upgrade" will probably be a saga that runs for a long time.

So far most bits that were taken out as complete items came out easily enough.

I did try to separate the elbow rests from the center panel but failed miserably due to the glue (but others did post on here at the time that they'd managed to do it).

By the time I'm finished with mine it'll probably be a totally different colour from how it left the factory.

I'd say to go for it if you're not happy with the colour.

[JensenA]

It's more practial (and cheaper) to actually re-colour the leather rather than have it all re-trimmed.

[Tanguero]

I am just finishing an interior refit (front seats left to do).

The headlining is stuck under the screen though cutting it at the selant and carefully fitting the new lining back to it gives a perfect finish.

The leather on the top of the dash I found the hardest to refit because of the tight space to get the vents in and out. Most of the rest is fairly straight forward.

In order to remove the elbow rest you have to remove the entire centre console from the car. The passenger side one is rivited and the driver side is a combination of bolts and velcro. Neither was glued on mine.

Re-dyeing is fine if you don't wear light coloured clothes in the car in my experience...

[volospian]

Ireland said:

I'd say to go for it if you're not happy with the colour.

Well, it's not that I dislike the colour, but it's biscuit and after 10 years or so, it's quite grubby and difficult to get (and keep) looking clean.

For practicality I'd rather a dark colour, probably black. I think a good quality black refit would look good. Maybe dark blue piping...

I was in a Vantage the other day as well, and I liked the suede headlining, so...

[dempsey]

I've got an all grey interior which I've always thought looked a bit plain.

I'm getting a classic car interior upholsterer in my area to replace various panels in blue leather to match the paintwork - eg. door panels, front seat squabs and part of the backrest, ditto rear seats.

They've recommended against connolising (dyeing) on areas subject to wear.

They weren't keen on doing the armrests as they're aware of people destroying them in attempting to remove them, and taking out the whole centre panel would be rather a major job.

[Tanguero]

dempsey said:

They weren't keen on doing the armrests as they're aware of people destroying them in attempting to remove them, and taking out the whole centre panel would be rather a major job.

Actually taking the console out is nothing like as big a job as it looks. Having done it a couple of times (don't ask!!!) I can now do it in about an hour and a half including removing the passenger seat.

[ridds]

Tanguero said:

dempsey said:

They weren't keen on doing the armrests as they're aware of people destroying them in attempting to remove them, and taking out the whole centre panel would be rather a major job.

Actually taking the console out is nothing like as big a job as it looks. Having done it a couple of times (don't ask!!!) I can now do it in about an hour and a half including removing the passenger seat.

Blimey that's good going. Every time I look at the centre console I get scared and either put it back or lift it out the way to do the job I need to do.

[volospian]

Is this the dash, or the part over the tunnel you mean?

I need to remove (or at least lift) that part at some stage as I get the annoying gear stick rattle. I think it needs a nut tightening or something, I seem to remember reading somewhere.

I actually want to do quite a bit on it. The chassis needs anti-rust treatment, and the handling is suspect, and he ride is like iron, so I'm thinking it want's some fettling/alignment done so I may as well strip it all down and rebush/paint the wishbones etc. anyway, then get it set up after that. Also the front discs are (I think) warped, it vibrates like made at speed and it gets worse when you brake. I've had the wheels ballanced lately and it made no improvement, although I suppose it could be a dodgy wheel or poor ballancing or something.

So my thoughts are, strip the suspension, treat the chassis and fit new brakes. Have the spiders checked and refurbed, and recoloured to anthracite. Change the indicators to white at the front and smoked on the sides (can't find smoked front) and then re-trim the interior. Not sure on colour yet though, maybe black with blue trim (it's biscuit and blue at the moment).

It also wants a new clutch and the headers welded up as they're cracked and blowing a bit.

Then maybe I'll treat it to a respray

[Tanguero]

ridds said:

Blimey that's good going. Every time I look at the centre console I get scared and either put it back or lift it out the way to do the job I need to do.

It looks a lot scarier than it is, honestly.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Tanguero said:

ridds said:

Blimey that's good going. Every time I look at the centre console I get scared and either put it back or lift it out the way to do the job I need to do.

It looks a lot scarier than it is, honestly.

Will the interior be complete in time for the breakfast run next week??.

[Tanguero]

BLUETHUNDER said:

Tanguero said:

ridds said:

Blimey that's good going. Every time I look at the centre console I get scared and either put it back or lift it out the way to do the job I need to do.

It looks a lot scarier than it is, honestly.

Will the interior be complete in time for the breakfast run next week??.

Isn't the breakfast run on the 6th which is in 2 weeks? I doubt that I will have both seats finished by then, but hopefull will at least have one done, especialy as the passenger seat is in bits in the workshop at the moment! The rest of the interior is all finished and looking OK.

I will look forward to showing you at Goodwood.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Tanguero said:

BLUETHUNDER said:

Tanguero said:

ridds said:

Blimey that's good going. Every time I look at the centre console I get scared and either put it back or lift it out the way to do the job I need to do.

It looks a lot scarier than it is, honestly.

Will the interior be complete in time for the breakfast run next week??.

Isn't the breakfast run on the 6th which is in 2 weeks? I doubt that I will have both seats finished by then, but hopefull will at least have one done, especialy as the passenger seat is in bits in the workshop at the moment! The rest of the interior is all finished and looking OK.

I will look forward to showing you at Goodwood.

Your right about it being two weeks.Look forward to seeing it.