Erics_02_z06

Do any of the vendors sell DIY leather wrapping kits? What I mean by that is will they send the leather stiched for the dash and the doors, and I can glue, stretch, fit the leather onto my own parts and not bother shipping the parts around??

To the vendors if you're reading this...you might be able to really increase sales like this. I know of some other car communities can buy the stitched leather and install it on their dashes themselves and I have followed the threads. The installs turn out amazing for most.

Once you cut out the shipping cost of sending interior panels both ways, and your cost to install....the leather actually become affordable. I was planning on making my own templates and stitching my own leather....but why bother if there is an affordable alternative??

Anyone else support this? Lets see if we can talk a vendor into quoting us a group purchase price for a DIY leather kit. I need a project for this winter

cdkcorvette7

I personally wouldn't tackle this as a DIY... I'll do pretty much anything mechanical but I'd be afraid of screwing this up. I saw a thread recently where a guy tried to do his own custom stitched leather steering wheel and it did NOT turn out pretty...

If your confident in your upholstery abilities I'm sure one of these two vendors could probably hook you up with some materials and let you do your own work. They both have pretty good reps here on the forum:

http://apsisusa.com/Iindex.htm

http://www.redlinegoods.com/

Erics_02_z06

haha, yeah I saw that steering wheel too. I wouldn't want to stitch it myself...at that point, I might as well make my own templates and start from scratch. But, if they cut and stitch the leather, I would be willing to yank my dash out and glue, stretch, and smooth it out over my panels. I'll check with the vendors and let you guys know what I find out. A group buy would be awesome to save even more

Jesse Asis

Good luck, my friend attempted a new dash on a 75 Dodge Duster, let me tell you it looks like it would be simple, easy, straight lines, glue down leather... Well if you use the wrong glue, in the sun later (months, years) it bubbled up, it looks like, used toilet paper now.. This is one area that I want a pro or someone that has a lot of experience doing, since everyone will see it and it will reflect the quality of the ride.. Good luck, in looking at the C5 dash, way to many curves and bumps for me...

Erics_02_z06

well, if just using the right type of glue is the biggest hang up...I'm all game, I'm assuming a DIY kit would include instructions on what kind of adhesive to use. I've contacted APSIS, we'll see if they are willing to do anything like this

0Double D Mods

Its alot more than just glue.
there is a reason we get 375.00 to cover a radio bezel, 1200.00 for door panels and 1200.00 to cover a dash. Alot of work to make it look right. These prices are very reasonable when you look at others.
We would be happy to quote your interior pieces for you

$$$frumnuttin'

I think certain parts are do-able, but like Dennis showed, a door panel would be tough and I know from personal experience on the lower panels, which look simple enough, it is a ton of work to get them to look good. BTW Dennis, I got the leather samples today...simply beautiful...putting a few things together in my mind...thanks.

Erics_02_z06

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk...but I can't imagine this being like brain surgery or anything. Like I said, I've followed threads on other forums where the guys started completely from scratch meaning they made templates, cut and stitched the leather, and glued it down. The results were great, and they hardly said the gluing part was the hardest. Its certainly a scary part, since you can really FUBAR it. For most of the guys, the stitching was the hard part unless they had a wife to do it. The adhesives they used cured fairly slow, and they were able to get it looking just right before the glue set. I'll try to post some links so you guys can see for yourselves.

I'm really just trying to find a way to wrap my interior in leather, and not pay a company 8k to do it...

Vetteman Jack

I've not heard of any vendors selling just the pre-cut leather pieces. If you can find some and feel like you can do it and make it look good, go for it. Me - I'm leaving it to the pros since I wouldn't want to buy the pieces twice if I screwed it up.

robert miller

You will not go wrong buying from Dennis here guys, One of the great vendors on here.. Will take care of you befor and after the sale for sure...... Robert

JETZ

Makes you wonder why alot of guys think that a 'Wheelskin' looks good.

jol

Double D Mods is the BEST!!!! In fact, I volunteer to have all the covers that Dennis put here and install them in my car, free of charge and have a label on my door "Customized by Double D Mods".
Jeff

Baldfart

I want a set of those door panels. They look great!!!

Erics_02_z06

could we please avoid turning this thread into a billboard for any vendors. If nobody is willing to try something like this, fine, but I would like to keep this thread focused.

Erics_02_z06

BTW- I've started doing this on some of my interior parts with great results. If anyone wants to add a CF look to their interior, give this a shot

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201689

SoDiezl350

I started with the armrest which was easy. Wanted to tackle the door panels and console but never got around to buying a sewing machine. FYI, the C5 console is a real PITA to wrap in CF vinyl. Mine started peeling off after about 6 months as well. Gonna go with a leather wrapped double DIN in the future.

Chicago1

Is that viny or leather? I want carbon fiber leather. I had mine wrapped in carbon fiber vinyl. It did not last same thing started bubbling up. Luckily the guy who did it gave me my money back but it did look nice while it lasted..

SoDiezl350

I cleaned it with Acetone. The peeling happened where the CF vinyl had to be stretched under a really high force to get it to conform to the surface. The relatively simple surfaces never exhibited problems with the vinyl coming off.

SoDiezl350

They are 2 different types of vinyl. The CF is similar to the 3m stuff. The armrest is fake perforated leather.

Erics_02_z06

huh, maybe sanding will help get a better bite. If mine peels up, I'm going to use a laminating resin next time:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=479978