Hi all with so much time on my hands Ive been looking around for ways to redo my interiors myself. As i can knit, sew and like to have a crack at anything Im wanting to attempt my own interior. I have so many old parts that i think its worthwhile giving it a go and to be honest anything would look better and cheaper than paying someone else to do it for me, as well as the accomplishment factor. So Door cards i have two options
1: I have a source in NZ willing to do the door cards they have not done Capri ones before (but many others) willing possibly to make them and ship them with out backing boards Small bulk so I can fit to my own door cards which should be a saving but no price yet.
2: Make my own, I have found 25mm Heat pleated vinyl off Ebay which should closely match the infill in the capri doors and also sell vinyl unpleated for the rest.
The issues to work out now are the silver or Chrome trim and Joining it all together. What i will then have to work is i bit of heat sealing the vinyl myself where it hits the radius and joining the two sections although its split at the point where the silver is so it is easier than a lot of other Cars (famous last words). What I don't know is where to buy the chrome trim. I am sort of thinking maybe using the window insert chrome which looks to be similar and if not would be a close enough match for my purpose unless some one else has a better idea. As i am a carpenter by trade door cards won't be an issue.
Seats: Would be a harder option but again i have found the basket weave vinyl and sowing in the pleats would be far easier than the door card heat pleating. The foam etc will take some time of more youtube watching to sort out or adding to the top and bottom of existing then obviously the cord runners sewing is difficult as well. I propose to pull apart a passenger seat which will have less stretch than the drivers to use as a pattern for the vinyl. On top of that will do these during winter when I can't work outside of a night time. Will need certain tools such as Hog ring piers etc to complete and a Industrial sewing machine but these are cheap second hand.
Finally the all important Dash and Crash pad:
I have many of these and and also two of Les's fibre glass style, I would like to build a Vacuum forming bench and attempt these myself, being that I like to build stuff and also have many old air compressors and a vacuum pump. Heating element can be built by my mate who's a sparky. The problem I am having is finding, knowing what vinyl, was used when these are made. I am thinking its easier to use a Les fiberglass crash pad but add the correct vinyl to it. Then do the dash cluster as per most youtube videos. I am also contemplating for the Dash cluster making a mould and vacuum forming covers then filling with foam afterwards which from what I have read was how they actually did it from Ford.
I have five interiors that i wish to do so worst case scenario is i am good at it by the final one. Just like to learn OFTEN BY MISTAKE.