2016/09/10 11:37:34
Wiggy333
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.
 
2016/09/10 12:43:37
gtv6capri
try the windscreen chrome insert for your beading on the doortims
2016/09/10 12:49:02
Wiggy333
Will try that or possibly the glue on 3m chrome pin striping which would mean i could sew the different vinyl together and stick it over the join. Just don't know how long that will last. Problem is curving whatever chrome trim thats used.
2016/09/10 13:01:42
BEE VEE
Good one wiggy333............upload photos as you go so some of us may be incited to follow in your footsteps once you've mastered the way...........as GTV6capri said, the windscreen Plastic Chrome is good as it handles tight curves like the bottom corner of our screens (prob a heat gun would be a help)
ps................
I wouldn't mind hearing from anyone who has an ORIGINAL RADIO for my 1972 Mk1 GTV6 Capri even if not working
2016/09/10 13:15:12
Wiggy333
I just don't know how to get the Window chrome to stick. I either glue it to base board and run vinyl up to it, but cutting to vinyl would have to be precise and show up looking bad. Or maybe try to heat melt it on some way or heat glue it on. It may be possible to screw/ pop rivet from the rear of the card into the back of the chrome strip as well as glue. I suppose it will be trial and error leading me once I start. Looking at buying a used industrial sewing machine off Ebay to tackle the thing that couldn't be done but he wouldn't say no, till he had tried to do it (poem my dad taught me).
2016/09/17 06:45:47
Wiggy333
I just don't understand, the door cards on EBay from Pro trim I think their called are $1050 or higher. Yet all the door cards they sell for other cars that look harder to make are roughly $700. Have a look yourself at there other listings. Capri door cards are there most expensive. You can get falcon gt door cards cheaper from them. I am dubious about being able to make them correct with just two types of vinyl( pleated and flat) so I might try seeing the pleats as opposed to heat sealing. Won't be factory correct but may look better. I'll give it a go though mum didn't teach me to knit and sew for no reason. Also can't be worse than doing nothing at all.
2016/09/17 07:37:06
Ionix
Depending on thickness it's surprising what a standard sewing machine can punch through with a big needle and thread.
2016/09/17 10:24:00
Wiggy333
I've organized an industrial one. Watching YouTube videos a plenty while I'm in hospital so I'll be an expert in no time. Yeah right. But seriously basic sowing on a machine isn't hard.
2016/09/17 16:12:57
Drewdog
Kudos for giving it a crack Wiggy... My old mech workshop teacher also used to teach sewing in home-ec, he had us making seat covers for the vw beetle in the shop, good way to keep teenage boys interested and a skill I'll never forget.
Good luck with it Drew.
2016/09/17 17:21:46
deano
Hi wiggy, I have an industrial machine I use for boat stuff, and would have a crack as well. The scumbags who recoated mine, went straight over the chrome as well. I reckon the window chrome might be too thick, I've seen the chrome 'pinstripe' on ebay and was planning to give that a go.
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