Interior trim

[meadowbrook]

Hi folks!

 

This weekend, I lost my mind and decided to pull the front bench seal out of my D34 to have it reupholstered (by the way, any Southeast Michigan based reupholsterers recommended?).

 

Wow, what a heavy seat!! I then proceded to remove the remains of the carpeting and front kickpanels, which promptly shattered.

 

So are there any recommended suppliers for carpeting and front kickpanels for this 1950 Dodge Meadowbrook? I noticed Kanter sells carpets and they seem reasonable @ ~$200 or so, but the only suppliers I found for the kick panels are on Ebay.

 

And finally, any recommentations of coatings for the bare floor? I chipped off the looser bits of this black tar like coating that was there and sanded off the loose rust of the uncovered areas and sprayed that anti rust chemical that turns black with the presence of rust.

 

I am now about to brush on a POR 15 like product, but wanted to check the forum for comments.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[Young Ed]

I brushed mine with por15. I would think any similar product would be find. Heck if you already did a rust convertor you could use just plain rustoleum.

[Plymouthy Adams]

the kick panels are very easily made at home from a material of your choice..your local trimmer can do this job or you can inquire to purchasing the paperboard they use..

 

prep of any rusted surface would be blasted or at minimum a rust killing acid application followed by a good sealing product..there are lots of high 5's for the POR 15 product..the amount of involvement you wish to go will dictate the end product used..

[desoto1939]

The kick panels as Plymouthy states are just plain colored cardboard, and the color that you use is at your picking. Usually they are similar to the color of the upholstery.  The originals would of also had a piece of trim material sticted to the end of the kickpanels.  There should be two to three mounting screws that would also have a small  concave washer.  The concave washer protects the kickpannel and from over tightening the screww and then pushing throught the cardboard. 

 

The door panel are a heavier cardboard sheet that is black and has some wwaterproofing on the cardboard.  I know a lot of people have a sheet of plastic glued to the back of the board to prevent the water and moisture that runs down the widow opening from getting the board wet and then soaking the new upholstery.

 

Other also do not resure the old style clips that hold the cardboard becasue you also have to cut home in the board in the correct locations. Then when you push the board back into place would do have an issue that the clip end can then push out and then you do not have a smooth looking door panel.

 

So to prevent this most resorters are using  velcro to hold the panel in place.  Thery glue one pice to the frame of the door also the endges and then in other sectiion to insure that it is a tight fit.  Also the nice part about using velcon is that you can take the door panel off the door with out having to pryout the old clips and you can reposition the panel if it is crooked.  Musch smooth effect.  USe the newer techniques since noone will be looking behind the panels.  The more upto date methods are better than the older methods in some aspects.

 

You might beable to do the same with the kickpanels.

 

You only plan to do the upholstery once so make it easy on your self.

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Plymouthy Adams]

I like the new trend in door/interior panels of sliding locks into the door or body panel..one small screw usually hidden in the door rest is the only item securing the panel from movement..sad part is this is a pretty involved process of molded plastic and stamped metal..Velcro..that will be totally reliant on a good adhesive for sewn first to the panel before covering..

 

I highly recommend what ever panel material you use to have it somewhat resistant to moisture...I make my door panels out of a heavier material that I get from Lowes and when I make and hsape all the holes and such..I coat this board totally with a couple coats of urethane.  A sheet of plastic between the metal and the panel if further protection from moisture as the very doors are designed to allow flow through of water be it rain and or frequent washings..

[meadowbrook]

Thank you all!

[desoto1939]

If you use a good glue like gator glue it will stick to the metal on the door frame and also on the door panel board.  The use of the velcro makes it easier to insatll the panel to the door frame.

 

You can cut your holes for the door and window cranks with the shapenend endge of a pipe. I like to use a threaded end and then i can take my file to the last thread and sharpen it. I then put a cap on the other end and then strike the pipe with my hammer to cut a perfect circle.  You can get all diffenet pipe diameters at you local Home Depot. 

 

On mu 39 desoto you have the two screw monting bolts for the armrest and then a small srew that hold the end of the door handel shaft in place.  The only other method of holding the panel in place are the spring clips adn they rust and again if you do not cur the holes inthe proper location then you have issues. With velco you can put an real nice line at the bottom and sides. Then when you want to take the panels off you start with a thin blade putty knife and start to peel back the two sections of the dood panel.  Yes you need to take your time but you still need to take you time  with the old style metal clips and then these also fall out from the backer board.

 

Just adding in my suggestions not a expert but have good ideas and this is how I am going to do it on my car.  I also use velcro to hold my rugs in place on the floor.  I use Contact cement to hold the two parts on the metal floor and on to the rubber backing on the rug.  I do this on the fron carpet  since it has to mount up agains the contor of teh floor.  This works very well for me also. 

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Plymouthy Adams]

I have used the Gorilla glue stuff....Gator...will have to look into this stuff...I have occasional need for a better adhesive..thanks for being a name dropper

[LAKOTA169]

Couple of Michigan reupholsters:

 

Paul's Auto and Boat Interiors

700 Cesar Chaves

Pontiac, Mi.

248-334-9936

 

A friend had some work done by them, and was pleased with the work and cost.

 

Auto Interiors Inc.

23555 Lakepoint Dr.

Clinton Township, Mi

586-468-0377

autoint1@yahoo.com       Roger Roberts- owner

 

This place was recommended to me by Paul Curtis. Near Hall Road (M59) and Gratiot.

 

I haven't been to either one of these yet or seen their actual work. The one in Pontiac is closer to me, and if I get the chance before it gets too cold, I'm going to check them out. I know I've seen the business for quite a few years while driving through the area.

 

Ed

[OldDad67]

I like the new trend in door/interior panels of sliding locks into the door or body panel..one small screw usually hidden in the door rest is the only item securing the panel from movement..sad part is this is a pretty involved process of molded plastic and stamped metal..Velcro..that will be totally reliant on a good adhesive for sewn first to the panel before covering..

 

I highly recommend what ever panel material you use to have it somewhat resistant to moisture...I make my door panels out of a heavier material that I get from Lowes and when I make and hsape all the holes and such..I coat this board totally with a couple coats of urethane.  A sheet of plastic between the metal and the panel if further protection from moisture as the very doors are designed to allow flow through of water be it rain and or frequent washings..

Velcro is used in alot of new cars today to hold moldings and trim in place. You can buy industrial velcro on evil bay in various forms and cut to fit your application. It works great and is easy to remove unlike some of those metal clips. Ask me how I know!!

 

[BobT-47P15]

Made my kick panel from black cardboard.........think I got it at Hobby Lobby.  Cut to size, then covered with maroon

vinyl same as the door panels.   Made my door panels from masonite, but don't recommend it as I discovered it is

too stiff and could not use the springs behind the door handles and window cranks.  

 

Also made panels inside the trunk to match the doors.......cardboard cut to size and vinyl covering.

Not really same as original, but I wanted a nice looking trunk to display my knick knacks.  the trunk 

is also carpeted same as car.

 

Edited October 1, 2013 by BobT-47P15

[BobT-47P15]

Son in law is currently working in an upholstery shop and re-doing the interior.  Took the seats down to the springs....

did repairs, new padding, etc.  This is a copy of the type material original to the car.  A convertible back then

could have had either leather or cloth inside......mine had cloth with leather door panels.  

 

Original colors of seats was maroon and light grey.......new is maroon and tan.  

Car was Sumac Red when new..........now 67 Ford Springtime Yellow.  

 

[Dan Hiebert]

Couple of Michigan reupholsters:

 

Paul's Auto and Boat Interiors

700 Cesar Chaves

Pontiac, Mi.

248-334-9936

 

A friend had some work done by them, and was pleased with the work and cost.

 

Auto Interiors Inc.

23555 Lakepoint Dr.

Clinton Township, Mi

586-468-0377

autoint1@yahoo.com       Roger Roberts- owner

 

This place was recommended to me by Paul Curtis. Near Hall Road (M59) and Gratiot.

 

I haven't been to either one of these yet or seen their actual work. The one in Pontiac is closer to me, and if I get the chance before it gets too cold, I'm going to check them out. I know I've seen the business for quite a few years while driving through the area.

 

Ed

I'll give kudos to Auto Interiors.  I looked around (mostly Macomb and St. Clair Counties) for a reputable upholstry shop quite a bit when I lived in Michigan.  Auto Interiors came very well recommended, I never got the chance to have them do an work for me, but I looked over quite a few cars that had their upholstry done by them.  Very nice.