options for interior - ‘78 M20J

[dominikos]

this is to start developing options for my M20J interior upgrade… please for now disregard costs (I try to) but focus on pros / cons and any pointers to digest.

My current interior is the original one, the plastics are cracked and missing pieces. Seats are mix of fabric and vinyl. I listed all options that I could come up with. The primary challenge is that plastics are cracking and look awful. Also, I’m missing headrests and vents don’t work well - need patching, fixing, etc.

Options

• try to patch what I currently have - the challenge is that plastic is quite brittle, screws missing and I don’t think it is a lasting solution
  • if this is way forward, there are a few other options forward: use Airtex for seats and carpets or some local shop for seats. The challenge is that I would rather have better seats and vents fixed
  • have aerocomfort fix and cover existing plastics. they are still brittle but perhaps the leather covering fixes some of the issues? cons is the cost but end result looks awesome
• change plastics
  • there is vantage, not perfect pieces, but more robust in long term. not preferred option but an easy one
  • get a newer interior from salvage. is that the best option? new plastics, hardware (screws), allow to change to newer vent system. Will 90s M20J interior fit? It looks it might be the most cost optimal route forward, just requires finding a salvage plane in good shape. 

I looked through the posts on MS and looks like all options are a decent way forward. the most intriguing option is to lift interior from a newer mooney but I don’t understand the process required. I would love to have a more modern interior with split rear seats like in this post. https://mooneyspace.com/topic/42732-fs-1977-m20j-with-modern-interior-lopresti-mods-750aspenstec-55x/#comment-740666

 

[ArtVandelay]

I had mine done in Florida, they cover most everything in ultra leather, the side panels are painted with all trim pieces covered. They removed the ashtrays and repaired as necessary. I had headrests redesigned, but otherwise kept it simple (no fancy embroidery).

[dominikos]

5 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said:

I had mine done in Florida, they cover most everything in ultra leather, the side panels are painted with all trim pieces covered. They removed the ashtrays and repaired as necessary. I had headrests redesigned, but otherwise kept it simple (no fancy embroidery).

who did you use? the interior looks awesome

[ArtVandelay]

who did you use? the interior looks awesome

http://www.aerotriminteriors.com

[dominikos]

2 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said:

http://www.aerotriminteriors.com

thanks! I actually will be at that airport in a week on the way back from bahamas…

[M20F-1968]

Take a look at my gallery pictures.   The interior parts that I used were out of a 1998 Ovation.   The panels are fiberglass,  are plenty durable,  and can be cut,  resized,  fitted to your airframe,  and remodeled as needed.   I think this is the easiest route  to getting a well fitted interior as opposed to using plastic parts from Plane Plastics or a similar source  which only allows you the option of cutting and trimming.

 Some people have used  aluminum for the lower panels with cutouts and inserts for the  recessed armrests.  Those parts can be made as a hand lay-up  or you can make  claim old or similar make the four parts that you need.   These then can be inserted into the aluminum  panel and covered.  

 If you're interested,  I had an extra set of Ovation ceiling panels  which I would be willing to sell.   They've been cut to J model length.   They provide a nice contoured  ceiling.   The center ceiling console can either be made  or purchase from a factor.  If you are interested, please contact me here, e-mail me at john.breda@gmail.com, or call me at (617) 877-0025.

Thanks.

John Breda

[anthonydesmet]

1 hour ago, dominikos said:

this is to start developing options for my M20J interior upgrade… please for now disregard costs (I try to) but focus on pros / cons and any pointers to digest.

My current interior is the original one, the plastics are cracked and missing pieces. Seats are mix of fabric and vinyl. I listed all options that I could come up with. The primary challenge is that plastics are cracking and look awful. Also, I’m missing headrests and vents don’t work well - need patching, fixing, etc.

Options

• try to patch what I currently have - the challenge is that plastic is quite brittle, screws missing and I don’t think it is a lasting solution
  • if this is way forward, there are a few other options forward: use Airtex for seats and carpets or some local shop for seats. The challenge is that I would rather have better seats and vents fixed
  • have aerocomfort fix and cover existing plastics. they are still brittle but perhaps the leather covering fixes some of the issues? cons is the cost but end result looks awesome
• change plastics
  • there is vantage, not perfect pieces, but more robust in long term. not preferred option but an easy one
  • get a newer interior from salvage. is that the best option? new plastics, hardware (screws), allow to change to newer vent system. Will 90s M20J interior fit? It looks it might be the most cost optimal route forward, just requires finding a salvage plane in good shape. 

I looked through the posts on MS and looks like all options are a decent way forward. the most intriguing option is to lift interior from a newer mooney but I don’t understand the process required. I would love to have a more modern interior with split rear seats like in this post. https://mooneyspace.com/topic/42732-fs-1977-m20j-with-modern-interior-lopresti-mods-750aspenstec-55x/#comment-740666

 

Ohhh Boy!  Welcome to laying in bed at night and letting the endless combinations of possibilities consume you….

If you decide to go “all in” on letting someone else do it then I would go with either a Jeager Spacial Interior up in Wisconsin or AEROCOMFORT.  

if you decide to do it yourself……like I did - primarily because my engine was going through engine overhaul , it was going to be sitting in the hanger for several months and I wanted the challenge…..you can still use both those companies as they also provide great “do it yourself” services.

I also have original plastic that was stained, busted, parts missing, cracked, screw holes pulled through, etc but I did not have to replace any of it.  It’s all repairable.  I used combination of AIRPLANE PLASTICS repair kit, Jeager interior plastic repair, plastic lay up and believe it or not….PVC (the blue stuff, which is basically melted plastic). After you repair and do lots of sanding I used some light color textured spray paint which will cover up any blemishes and then spray your color.  I also got rid of ashtrays and filled in 80% of my screw holes.

when I put the plastic back in I used about 1/4 of the screws the factory uses.  Around the pilot window I only have four screws. I also replaced carpet with a kit from AIRTEX.

you can repair and repaint the overhead plastic in place.

Glareshield is going to AEROCOMFORT next week and I have seat covers coming from AIRTEX…made that decision just to keep downtime to a minimum.

interior trim and armrests were sent to AEROCOMFORT and I went from fabric to leather embroidered.

when you pull the plastic it’s also a good time to replace your window plastic if it’s in bad shape.

when I go to the hanger tomorrow I will take a picture of all the products I used plus some interior pics.

[KB4]

15 minutes ago, anthonydesmet said:

Jeager Spacial Interior up in Wisconsin or AEROCOMFORT.  

This. 
 

carpet delete kit from Jeagar also deletes tons of micro screws. 

[Amelia]

Hector at Aerocomfort in San Antonio, TX did my Mooney 231. He covered the side panels and overhead in cream Ultraleather, the seats in beautiful shades of full-grain cream and tan scraps from a biz jet job or two, and the glare shield in leather as well. He stuffed a little extra padding in the front seats so I could see over better. It was a perfectly gorgeous job. I suggest putting yourself in Hector’s so-very-capable hands, and prepare to be amazed. Just don’t cheap out on upholstery leather or choose an odd color he won’t have stock to make small repairs down the road. 

[KSMooniac]

You have lots of options, outlined nicely by everyone so far. Decide if you're a DIY, or write a big check kind of owner. Or a little bit of both. Fitting and repairing interior panels can be done by anyone with enough dedication and time. Stitching upholstery... Maybe not. You can always use a local hot rod interior shop for seats if you choose appropriate materials (foam and cover).

My favorite is the modern fiberglass factory parts like John B retrofitted into his awesome F. Jaeger's Spatial Interior panels are very nice also, and indestructible. I'm in the middle of retrofitting the modern overhead vent into my 77 J and it is a ton of work. You are correct that having a salvage plane on-hand to scavenge and use as a template is best. I would stay away from 30-40 year old plastic if you can swing it... You'll add value with the new stuff and it should hold up better.

I have had a dream for a while to make molds for modern style panels for mid body Mooneys with my salvage plane, but have too many projects ahead of it and not enough time...

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

[dominikos]

9 hours ago, KSMooniac said:

You have lots of options, outlined nicely by everyone so far. Decide if you're a DIY, or write a big check kind of owner. Or a little bit of both. Fitting and repairing interior panels can be done by anyone with enough dedication and time. Stitching upholstery... Maybe not. You can always use a local hot rod interior shop for seats if you choose appropriate materials (foam and cover).

My favorite is the modern fiberglass factory parts like John B retrofitted into his awesome F. Jaeger's Spatial Interior panels are very nice also, and indestructible. I'm in the middle of retrofitting the modern overhead vent into my 77 J and it is a ton of work. You are correct that having a salvage plane on-hand to scavenge and use as a template is best. I would stay away from 30-40 year old plastic if you can swing it... You'll add value with the new stuff and it should hold up better.

I have had a dream for a while to make molds for modern style panels for mid body Mooneys with my salvage plane, but have too many projects ahead of it and not enough time...

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk
 

would an overhead from a  newer J model (let’s say late 80s or 90s) fit in ‘78?

[jetdriven]

I’m about to rip That stuff out of mine and retrofit the crashed ovation interior that I’ve got.  

[anthonydesmet]

Here is some before and after…for the most part plastic can be repaired depending how much time you want to devote.  Seats are getting redone mid August so they are the last of the old interior. I shot a close up of the black window trim.  I used combination of aluminum adhesive and some auto trim I found that was stiff and bendable.  This will keep the plastic along the windows nice and strait since the plastic has a tendency to bow and warp around the screws.

[dominikos]

1 hour ago, anthonydesmet said:

Here is some before and after…for the most part plastic can be repaired depending how much time you want to devote.  Seats are getting redone mid August so they are the last of the old interior. I shot a close up of the black window trim.  I used combination of aluminum adhesive and some auto trim I found that was stiff and bendable.  This will keep the plastic along the windows nice and strait since the plastic has a tendency to bow and warp around the screws.

nice job with the window trim! it’s one of the areas falling apart on mine. is your headrest standard for your model/year or upgrade?

[anthonydesmet]

9 minutes ago, dominikos said:

nice job with the window trim! it’s one of the areas falling apart on mine. is your headrest standard for your model/year or upgrade?

Headrests were aftermarket Toyota Tacoma and and I tied to match old upholstery several years ago but they will match better when I have the seats done next month.  Any Toyota circa 1990-2010ish Tacoma, FJ, 4Runner should line up.  I have a 2010 FJ and out of curiosity one day I pulled them out and they fit like a glove so found some aftermarket headrests.

[carusoam]

Forever planes deserve a great interior! 

-a-

[KSMooniac]

On 7/17/2022 at 5:54 AM, dominikos said:

would an overhead from a  newer J model (let’s say late 80s or 90s) fit in ‘78?

Yes, that's what I'm doing with my '77 right now.  Years ago I bought a late '81 J salvage and am slowly scavenging improvements on to mine.  Everything is in except the headliner...hopefully tonight.  I know Byron and Norman (testwest here) have done it to their '77's as well.  I think John B probably did on his F, but I don't know for certain.  As far as I know, I'm the only one silly enough to delete the throttle quadrant and retrofit linear controls (and the console, nose wheel well, ventilation system, etc.) into an older Mooney.    Smooth belly and removable rear bucket seats are next.

It is a ton of work.  I expect I'll be happy with the end result, especially living in a hot climate.  

[carusoam]

Follow Doc John…. Where he put an Ovation’s interior in his M20F…. 

Surely the newer J will be a close fit to an older J….

 

Where this wouldn’t work so well…. 1964 M20C has different windows than the later M20Cs…. Changing the layout a lot.

The early years at Mooney were a lot like SpaceX… lots of iterations, quickly……

Best regards,

-a-

[dominikos]

14 hours ago, KSMooniac said:

Yes, that's what I'm doing with my '77 right now.  Years ago I bought a late '81 J salvage and am slowly scavenging improvements on to mine.  Everything is in except the headliner...hopefully tonight.  I know Byron and Norman (testwest here) have done it to their '77's as well.  I think John B probably did on his F, but I don't know for certain.  As far as I know, I'm the only one silly enough to delete the throttle quadrant and retrofit linear controls (and the console, nose wheel well, ventilation system, etc.) into an older Mooney.    Smooth belly and removable rear bucket seats are next.

It is a ton of work.  I expect I'll be happy with the end result, especially living in a hot climate.  

That’s definitely a next level. I like the concept of rear bucket seats!