Suede door inserts
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=85214
Printed Date: April 25, 2024 at 5:35 AM
Topic: Suede door inserts
Posted By: punkbastard
Subject: Suede door inserts
Date Posted: November 06, 2006 at 1:39 AM
So, I just did my first set of door inserts. Nothing too special I guess, just reupholstering the factory inserts. However, this was kind of challenging being that the factory inserts are not removable, so I do credit myself a bit for that. Anyway, first picture looks good right? Well, in the second, the close up, you can see the folds that I had after coming off that concave. I tried pulling it into an area that I knew would be cut out but I couldn't get rid of them. On the next insert I was able to get all the slack material together and press the suede against itself to form triangle (?). Anybody who has wrapped vinyl around a hard edge knows what I'm talking about. Then I cut it just like you would the vinyl. It looked ten times better. I'm wondering though, is there a better way to do this other than sewing?
Replies:
Posted By: sprawl85
Date Posted: November 06, 2006 at 2:02 PM
If you woulda used a more stretchable microsuede you wouldn't have that problem... Looks good though, I am sure it is a huge improvement over stock.
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fiberglass reminds me of peanut brittle... but fiberglass tastes better!
Posted By: punkbastard
Date Posted: November 06, 2006 at 10:53 PM
I never heard of microsuede. Please tell more. 
Thats what the door looked like before 
Thats what the headliner looks like now. Just did it today.
Posted By: sprawl85
Date Posted: November 07, 2006 at 12:23 AM
microsuede... stretchy as hell, jo-ann fabrics. ------------- fiberglass reminds me of peanut brittle... but fiberglass tastes better!
Posted By: punkbastard
Date Posted: November 07, 2006 at 12:33 AM
oh really fool? Thats funny, I was saying today how nice it would be if they made a material like suede but was stretchy. How much per yard?
Posted By: maglin
Date Posted: November 07, 2006 at 10:07 AM
hey - can you glue suede down like this... i got concave contours i gota deal with and i know its impossilbe or damn close, to get suede to glue down without destroying it...
Posted By: punkbastard
Date Posted: November 07, 2006 at 10:39 AM
I have heard afew people say that already. They must have heavy hands because I tested a small portion to see just how much glue I can apply and it took a fairly heavy amount to soak through. Use a gun, painting it on might be too thick, and just keep your distance, I covered the suede on the headliner very evenly and thoroughly and I had no problems.
Posted By: sprawl85
Date Posted: November 07, 2006 at 1:13 PM
Painting it on with the microsuede would be way too thick, spray gun from a compressor would be best followed by aerosol. And I got mine on clearance for like 10 bucks a yard. I think regular price was around 15.
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fiberglass reminds me of peanut brittle... but fiberglass tastes better!
Posted By: outtaluck72
Date Posted: November 07, 2006 at 4:22 PM
I did my door panel insrets with black suede also. the back doors were easy but the fronts were a pain because of the curve in front of the window controls. it took me 2 tries to wrap the front doors, and I only had a couple small wrinkles, plus the suede I used was not very stretchy. I used contact cement sprayed from a paint sprayer and I had no bleed through. I'm going to wrap the inserts in a different color just to give the door more pop. BTW punkbastard, nice looking xB.
Posted By: punkbastard
Date Posted: November 07, 2006 at 10:40 PM
Yeah I tried doing the fronts doors on this car today and they gave me much more of a hassle than the rears. Attempt number two will be tomorrow. I found the stretchable microsuede at jo-anns as well. Its nice because its stretchy but it doesnt have such a nice look to it because of the microfibers. The owner of this car actually works for me but I am doing an xb demo car for the company so he said he would let me practice on his doors and headliner. I think for the demo car i'm gonna do black suede on the headliner and gray microsuede on the doors just to continue the BLACK/ gray look plus the car is gray. Not to mention the contrast definitely makes it pop as outtaluck said I mean just look at the headliner above. Hey outtaluck, what is that around the insert? Blue pinstriping tape?
Posted By: outtaluck72
Date Posted: November 08, 2006 at 8:50 AM
I used blue pipe stitching fabric stuff from the fabric store. It look good but it wouldn't stay in place. I didn't want to glue it and run into a chance of the glue running everywhere. after that I used blue EL wire which looked cool at night, it really lit up the interior.
Posted By: snowboarderandy
Date Posted: November 23, 2006 at 2:49 AM
Where did you buy your suede? I heard that all the fake suede stuff at Jo-Ann does not look that good. I want to do my headliner in black suede but dont know where I should buy it.
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Thanks,
Andy
Posted By: punkbastard
Date Posted: November 23, 2006 at 11:48 AM
I got mine from a local upholstery shop. I haven't tried any of the joanns stuff but I will the next time I need to do complex curves.
Posted By: maliboom
Date Posted: November 26, 2006 at 12:50 PM
The Joann stuff comes in different grades. Good-better-best, just remember you always get what you pay for. And sometimes the best quality isn't the best for your application. Most local upholstery shops will have what you need just look around or ask and if they don't have it they can get it shipped in for you. Good luck and good work so far.
Posted By: diggler68
Date Posted: November 27, 2006 at 8:51 PM
Well, if you want suede that stretches, make sure it is a micro-fiber synthetic suede, then have a good steamer. The kind auto upolstry shop would use. Steam it in the areas you need stretching as you need it, you can make a good micro-suede stretch almost as good as vinyl. I've seen some crazy curvy stuff wrapped with suede, it's all about the quality of the stuff you're buying. If its less then $45 a yard, its probably not gonna work.
Posted By: punkbastard
Date Posted: November 28, 2006 at 9:42 PM
i think for your typical job, $45 a yard is just a bit ridiculous. I'm sure thats doable if you happen to be building a demo car or something but $45 a yard? Come on.
Posted By: outtaluck72
Date Posted: November 29, 2006 at 7:50 AM
I called Katzkins (the leather seat people) and if you want the suede they use in their seats they sell it for $99 a yard. I think they take too many drugs at Katzkins.
Posted By: punkbastard
Date Posted: November 29, 2006 at 10:36 AM
good god man, what is so good about that stuff?
Posted By: Triple-x
Date Posted: December 18, 2006 at 8:32 AM
yeah whats so good about it..
probably REAL, thus is dyed for the color matching. like the difference between vinyl and leather
and fuede and suede
Posted By: actypes
Date Posted: December 31, 2006 at 6:57 PM
Even if the insert doesnt come apart from the actual door, i would recommend cutting it all out. I did this on my girlfriends 05 Subaru WRX and it turned out pretty damn good. You just have to be creative on putting the insert back onto the door. I used alot of CA glue, ABS and some screws. BTW, i wouldnt recommed wrapping door panel inserts with vinyl unless you have a steemer, or it will look like crap! (wrinkles and peeling in corners) BTW, i wrapped the inserts with black coach material ($50/yd from overseas)
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