Overhead Console Replacement

[Fly Boomer]

8 hours ago, Paul Thomas said:

The hardest part is finding someone locally to serge the carpet as it seems everyone does binding instead.

What is the difference?

[Matthew P]

If you know a good fiberglass guy they could use the original piece to make a reverse mold out of it and make you a fiberglass replacement.

[Slick Nick]

10 hours ago, Paul Thomas said:

@PT20J was right on the colors. None of the colors were right for what I wanted so I had a custom color made up.

I put this project aside for a few weeks as I couldn't wear a respirator while my nose was healing post surgery. Structural repair to the overhead console is done and I've started to paint some parts. It's nice to see some progress but I wonder if I went too light on the color. We'll see when the whole interior is back in. Worst case, it will all come back out and get repainted. My interior had more damage than I realized but it's all fixable, it just takes time.

How is the wemac assembly removed? The wemac seat is glued to the backside of the overhead console and I'm afraid that if I cut through it, I'll end up doing damage on the finish side of the overhead console. I'd like to avoid doing that but they need to come out so that I can paint the area properly.

The upholsterer is working his magic on the seats, I expect to have them back this week. I need to order the carpet; I got the burn certificate for it today. The hardest part is finding someone locally to serge the carpet as it seems everyone does binding instead.

I removed my wemac's to clean and repair them, two had lost their springs. It's a pain in the ass you need to cut them out of the headliner, drill out the rivets, then for reinstall rivet them back in, and use PVC cement to build back up the housing that holds them.

If you do want to just mask them, an empty paper towel tube fits perfectly over them and provides a really nice invisible border. 

[Paul Thomas]

 

2 hours ago, Fly Boomer said:

What is the difference?

Both prevent tear out, it's all in how it looks. Edging is a small band on fabric on the side while edging is thread looped on the side.

I tried to insert the photo into the post but failed but here is a link: http://www.floorsofstlouis.com/blog/get-an-edge-on-carpet-how-to-choose-the-perfect-edge-for-your-new-rug

[Paul Thomas]

4 minutes ago, Slick Nick said:

I removed my wemac's to clean and repair them, two had lost their springs. It's a pain in the ass you need to cut them out of the headliner, drill out the rivets, then for reinstall rivet them back in, and use PVC cement to build back up the housing that holds them.

If you do want to just mask them, an empty paper towel tube fits perfectly over them and provides a really nice invisible border. 

That's a great tip on the paper towel tube; masking it was going to be a PAIN! Mine are glued on with PVC cement and not all have rivets holding things in place... If a spring is supposed to be felt or seen, the spring is likely missing.

I put the texture over the center repair this morning and it's going to be painted tonight now that I don't have to go to a supply store to get pin stripe tape to a good fit over the wemac.

[Paul Thomas]

1 hour ago, Matthew P said:

If you know a good fiberglass guy they could use the original piece to make a reverse mold out of it and make you a fiberglass replacement.

An inexperience fiberglass guy (me) has been working magic. My plan was to see if I can fix them myself, if not, I was going to order from Vantage. It's actually coming out nice, but there is a learning curve. 

[Matthew P]

19 minutes ago, Paul Thomas said:

An inexperience fiberglass guy (me) has been working magic. My plan was to see if I can fix them myself, if not, I was going to order from Vantage. It's actually coming out nice, but there is a learning curve. 

Just be advised, if you are using resin and fiberglass over the plastic that it will delaminate over time

[N201MKTurbo]

52 minutes ago, Matthew P said:

Just be advised, if you are using resin and fiberglass over the plastic that it will delaminate over time

Polyester resin will delaminate. Epoxy should hold, especially if sanded a bit.

I’m repairing my headliner right now with fiberglass. My plastic was so brittle it wouldn’t support its own weight. I had about 8 pieces I needed to put back together. The first thing I did was put a single layer of 50 micron thick plane weave cloth on the back to stabilize the plastic. I’m using Total Boat 5-1 epoxy. It is a knockoff of West Marine 105 for about 1/2 the price. Then I started patching all the pieces together. Now I’m filling in all the holes for the missing pieces. It is coming along nicely. When I’m done I will cover it with fabric. 
 

I’m only doing this because a replacement is unavailable.

[Slick Nick]

2 hours ago, Paul Thomas said:

That's a great tip on the paper towel tube; masking it was going to be a PAIN! Mine are glued on with PVC cement and not all have rivets holding things in place... If a spring is supposed to be felt or seen, the spring is likely missing.

I put the texture over the center repair this morning and it's going to be painted tonight now that I don't have to go to a supply store to get pin stripe tape to a good fit over the wemac.

I meant to say spring CLIP. There are no springs inside the wemacs. 

The paper towel tube is exactly the right size to slip over, and is easy to hold while you’re spraying, then you can quickly move onto the next one. 

[Paul Thomas]

I used ABS cement as it works perfectly with our ABS plastic, doesn't require mixing like epoxy, and results in a weld. Mine had been repaired with epoxy in the past and that failed but I'm not sure it was applied or what type; it looked like a rough, quick, and dirty repair. I learned a fair amount doing these repairs and intend to write it up once I'm done.