New to forum and upholstery work of any kind.
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 5:05 am
I'm currently restoring my 1979 Ford Bronco, I'm working on the doors right now. My particular Bronco came with vinyl wood grain inserts on the door panels but after years of searching I can't find anyone who makes the inserts. So I'm going to try and make my own, god help us all. Feedback is welcomed since I'm new at this and just winging it and have no clue what I'm doing.
Pic 1. Started with my old insert and traced the outline on a 1/4 thick piece of plywood.
Pic 2. Roughly cut out.
Pic 3. A little more trimming, apparently my hole cutting skills with a jig saw is in need of serious improvement.
Pic 4. Final trimming and a much better hole with a hole saw. Mounting holes also drilled out.
Pic 5. Finally figured out how to secure the insert to the door panel, pronged T nuts. This will allow the front to be finished while securing it to the door panel from the back.
Pic 6. Spent a long time trying to figure out what to use as the padding under the vinyl to give it that slight puffy look. After long discussions with my wife, and no luck from the internet we concluded that quilt batting would be the best. Using spray adhesive to adhere the batting to the wood.
Pic 7. I used two layers to give me a 1/8” thickness
Pic 8. Glued down and trimmed
Pic 9. Both inserts trimmed and a slit for the window cranks. Now to look for a vinyl that’s close to the original wood grain pattern.
Pic 1. Started with my old insert and traced the outline on a 1/4 thick piece of plywood.
Pic 2. Roughly cut out.
Pic 3. A little more trimming, apparently my hole cutting skills with a jig saw is in need of serious improvement.
Pic 4. Final trimming and a much better hole with a hole saw. Mounting holes also drilled out.
Pic 5. Finally figured out how to secure the insert to the door panel, pronged T nuts. This will allow the front to be finished while securing it to the door panel from the back.
Pic 6. Spent a long time trying to figure out what to use as the padding under the vinyl to give it that slight puffy look. After long discussions with my wife, and no luck from the internet we concluded that quilt batting would be the best. Using spray adhesive to adhere the batting to the wood.
Pic 7. I used two layers to give me a 1/8” thickness
Pic 8. Glued down and trimmed
Pic 9. Both inserts trimmed and a slit for the window cranks. Now to look for a vinyl that’s close to the original wood grain pattern.
looking good. What are you covering them with? Keep sending pictures as you go. Looking forward to the finished product.