Tom M Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 As all know I have a ?31 833 Coupe. At this time the car is still down due to engine work. My lovely wife says to me since the car is not running why don?t I start working on getting the Interior finished. I stated that it needs a whole lot more then that. Like body work, wood replacement etc.I need advice from you gents and ladies. Did you have a shop look at your interior before you removed it so they know what is needed to reinstall new or did you just go ahead and take out the old?The car does have some places where there is major rust through.Where does someone get replacement sheet metal?Where do I start?Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John N. Packard Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Packin31, I've considered the same questions myself. At the upholstery seminar in Philadelphia several years ago they recommended that all upholstery be removed down to the bare frame and springs. Then clean and paint them before reuphostering. This gets rid of any residual smell and mess left by rodents. If you do that yourself, then the upholsterer will either have to have what was removed or photographs to match the original. If you have individual coil springs that are wrapped in burlap, it becomes quite a task! I would definitely remove the seats and upholstery panels, etc. before attempting any body repair. What I attempt to do is cut out the rotted metal and weld in replacement sheet metal. I have an acetylene gas welder that is probably not the best way to do this. I have attempted leading in some areas but have not mastered the skill of applying it well. I do better with Bondo. What I have experienced is that the more I do, the more I see to do and don't ever seem to be able to completely finish a vehicle!jnp <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted August 31, 2005 Author Share Posted August 31, 2005 John,Thanks for feedback.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What I have experienced is that the more I do, the more I see to do and don't ever seem to be able to completely finish a vehicle!</div></div> That is the fear I have if I start doing that to Old Bessie then she is not Road worthy for sometime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 If you want to do seat spring restoration before getting upholstery done, then I would label each piece of material as you remove it. That way the shop will have a pattern reference to go by, when making the new pieces. If you want the shop to copy the original design, then they will need all the old pieces you can provide. I would call the shop that you are going to use, and find out how they like it to be done, before removing anything, tho. When I got my '29, it didn't have any fabric left except the door panels and front seat back, so I had to guesstimate some of it. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> All the wood window moldings were in good shape tho. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted August 31, 2005 Author Share Posted August 31, 2005 Good info thanks.The interior was replace at some point but I am not sure when. I think there may be some original material under the vinyl seat covers. Need to find an un-restored original to see if that material is original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 If you have soft areas in the framing wood, you can use 'Wood Hardener' made by Minwax, (buy at Home-Depot). It works great. If small areas of the framing wood has rotted and is missing you can fill it with Bondo, which adheres very well to wood if you first use the wood hardener in the rotted area. The wood hardener permanently seals the wood from future water damage. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />It's not a coating, it goes down into grain of wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted August 31, 2005 Author Share Posted August 31, 2005 Speedster,I have read with interest in other posts about using that Wood Hardener. I will need to get some. I have a few spots where the wood is rotten or completely gone.This advice really helps. It makes me want to go home and start taking her apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted November 29, 2005 Author Share Posted November 29, 2005 Well I am in the process of getting prices on material for the seats. This may sound like a dumb question but would anyone know how much material is needed to do the seat cushions?Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Since I do my own upholstery work, I always take a measurement of the seat size, then double it and then add a little for Luck, and it comes out About right. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> BTW, I have found some great deals on fabric on eBay. You usually have to buy a complete roll, but at very low price, then you can sell what's left or keep it for possible future repairs. That way you will know you'll have enough to finish the job correctly. And I have found some surprisingly close to original fabrics. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_49packard Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 I have priced some fabric from vendors listed in Hemmings and local. I was blown away by the prices-the locals were asking approx $50+ per yard. I am looking for material for the door panels which is a khaki color. Out of curosity what did you search for on ebay?thksDavid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted November 29, 2005 Author Share Posted November 29, 2005 Rick,Thanks for pointers.Dave,The prices I have been getting are more like $79 a yard. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Show that to my wife she goes ouch I can do a whole couch for that much. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Look likes I may need to hit Joanne Fabrics or something. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 I search for words like: upholstery, fabric, material Like I said it's best to buy a complete or partial roll but there are some ventors that sell it by the yard also. Make sure it's heavy upholstery type fabric, Not light weight stuff. Here's one vendor that I recently got some from for my '56 Clipper, since I needed 4 types of fabric, in smaller amounts, for that car:http://stores.ebay.com/auto-marine-upholstery-and-fabrics_W0QQssPageNameZviQ3asibQ3astoreviewQQtZkm I have been lucky in finding some that I really liked and are very close but you're not going to find exact duplicates of original wool fabrics unless you are VERY Lucky. So it's usually that you have to 'make do' at a Lower price Or pay premimum price. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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