Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - View Single Post - Kevin's Random DIY (upholstery, fiberglass, etc.)

kberkel · 10-23-2015, 09:14 PM

Materials I use:

Vinyls
Faux Leather -- http://www.yourautotrim.com/torinoblack.html
Suede -- http://www.yourautotrim.com/imausubl.html

Adhesive
3M Super 90 -- I use this for large areas that need to lay flat. Also for concave areas that cannot be "wrapped around." In my opinion.. do not use for any section that needs a tight hold. It will loosen in the summer heat.
DAP Weldwood Contact Cement -- http://www.ebay.com/itm/DAP-Weldwood...-/281094382720
Most amazing glue on the planet. Cannot buy in stores. Bonds with the strength of Zeus. Use sparingly, very tough to remove vinyl after adhered.
Mineral Spirits -- Used to remove adhesive. Mostly safe on plastics. I used on my door after some ruined wrapping attempts with no problems.

Upholstery Tools
Sewing Machine -- I use a Singer Fashionmate. No one will recommend a consumer sewing machine for this work.. but it was $100 and does everything I need. The only problems are:
- I have to use a very thin bobbin thread. I don't have a tension setting for my bobbin. Unfortunately I cannot match my top stitch thread.
- The longest stitch length I can do is ~5-6 stitches/inch on 1 layer. Double layers makes it 6-7 stitches/in. Most automotive is around 4-5 stitches per inch.
Upholstery Cutting -- Get this kit
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B7K9UI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o07_s00"]Amazon.com: Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set[/ame]

Double Sided Tape -- I use Scor-Tape when preparing multi-pieces for a french seam. Some people staple the pieces together.. I think this tape makes it much more accurate.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RQ55ZQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o07_s00"]Amazon.com: Scor-Pal SP202 Scor-Tape, 0.25 by 27-Yard[/ame]

Threads
Singer 110/18 -- I use with #92 bonded nylon top stitch thread. Average size for automotive upholstery, not as thick as most stitches in the BRZ, but looks OK. Probably the thickest I can use on this machine.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00114Q99K?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o07_s00"]Amazon.com - Singer Heavy Duty Machine Needles, Size 110/18, 3-Pack - Sewing Machine Needles[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JS77NTW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o06_s00"]Amazon.com: Superior Threads® - #92 Bonded Nylon Thread - #008 Bright Red[/ame]

Singer 80/11 -- I use with thinner blind stitches. Black thread always.

Fiberglass
Mats and Cloths -- I use whatever I can get my hands on. Lately overpriced 3M at Home Depot.
Resin -- Recommend Evercoat. I cheap out and use Bondo resin.
Filler -- Evercoat Rage Gold is the best. I cheap out and use Bondo.
Reinforced Filler -- Bondo Glass works fine for filling chunks if you messed up a cut.
Brushes -- Buy cheap chip brushes.
Mixers -- Paper cups and Popsicle sticks
Clean Up -- Acetone

Fiberglass Molds
Masking Tape -- I use masking tape to cover areas. I usually use 3 layers, crosshatches to prevent resin from seeping through.
Mold Release -- I use vaseline in a pinch. It won't offer a perfect b-side surface.. but you're probably not concerned anyway since you're just taping and molding.
Rotary Tool -- Anything with a fiberglass cutoff wheel. Where a particle mask, fiberglass dust causes cancer.

10-23-2015, 09:14 PM	#2
kberkel Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited Location: Farmington Hills, MI Posts: 581 Thanks: 32 Thanked 326 Times in 174 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Materials I use: Vinyls Faux Leather -- http://www.yourautotrim.com/torinoblack.html Suede -- http://www.yourautotrim.com/imausubl.html Adhesive 3M Super 90 -- I use this for large areas that need to lay flat. Also for concave areas that cannot be "wrapped around." In my opinion.. do not use for any section that needs a tight hold. It will loosen in the summer heat. DAP Weldwood Contact Cement -- http://www.ebay.com/itm/DAP-Weldwood...-/281094382720 Most amazing glue on the planet. Cannot buy in stores. Bonds with the strength of Zeus. Use sparingly, very tough to remove vinyl after adhered. Mineral Spirits -- Used to remove adhesive. Mostly safe on plastics. I used on my door after some ruined wrapping attempts with no problems. Upholstery Tools Sewing Machine -- I use a Singer Fashionmate. No one will recommend a consumer sewing machine for this work.. but it was $100 and does everything I need. The only problems are: - I have to use a very thin bobbin thread. I don't have a tension setting for my bobbin. Unfortunately I cannot match my top stitch thread. - The longest stitch length I can do is ~5-6 stitches/inch on 1 layer. Double layers makes it 6-7 stitches/in. Most automotive is around 4-5 stitches per inch. Upholstery Cutting -- Get this kit [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B7K9UI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o07_s00"]Amazon.com: Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set[/ame] Double Sided Tape -- I use Scor-Tape when preparing multi-pieces for a french seam. Some people staple the pieces together.. I think this tape makes it much more accurate. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RQ55ZQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o07_s00"]Amazon.com: Scor-Pal SP202 Scor-Tape, 0.25 by 27-Yard[/ame] Threads Singer 110/18 -- I use with #92 bonded nylon top stitch thread. Average size for automotive upholstery, not as thick as most stitches in the BRZ, but looks OK. Probably the thickest I can use on this machine. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00114Q99K?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o07_s00"]Amazon.com - Singer Heavy Duty Machine Needles, Size 110/18, 3-Pack - Sewing Machine Needles[/ame] [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JS77NTW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o06_s00"]Amazon.com: Superior Threads® - #92 Bonded Nylon Thread - #008 Bright Red[/ame] Singer 80/11 -- I use with thinner blind stitches. Black thread always. Fiberglass Mats and Cloths -- I use whatever I can get my hands on. Lately overpriced 3M at Home Depot. Resin -- Recommend Evercoat. I cheap out and use Bondo resin. Filler -- Evercoat Rage Gold is the best. I cheap out and use Bondo. Reinforced Filler -- Bondo Glass works fine for filling chunks if you messed up a cut. Brushes -- Buy cheap chip brushes. Mixers -- Paper cups and Popsicle sticks Clean Up -- Acetone Fiberglass Molds Masking Tape -- I use masking tape to cover areas. I usually use 3 layers, crosshatches to prevent resin from seeping through. Mold Release -- I use vaseline in a pinch. It won't offer a perfect b-side surface.. but you're probably not concerned anyway since you're just taping and molding. Rotary Tool -- Anything with a fiberglass cutoff wheel. Where a particle mask, fiberglass dust causes cancer.