Home page
  Home Page   Contact Us   Our History   Advertise with Us   Sponsor List   Link to Us   Compare Levels   Member Agreement   Privacy Policy   About C3VR
  Community Forums   Active Threads   Forum Search   Top Posters List   Private Messenger   C3VR Email System
  Members Vettes & Pictures   Member Stories   Member Stats   Real Time Member Map   Member Search   Lifetime Member List   Member Calendar Entry Form   Who's Online
  C3 Registry Data   C3 Corvette Statistics   C3 Corvette Tips & Tricks   C3 Corvette How-Tos   Corvette Club Listing   Corvette Event Listing   Mechanic Directory   Corvette VIN Decoder   Save the Wave   Corvette Emblem History   C3 Corvette Birthday Calculator   C3 Corvette Build Dates   Corvette Parts Illustration Catalog   Shark Bytes - Online
  C3 Corvette Parts Auctions on eBay   Corvette Books   C3VR Member Name Badges   C3VR In-Stock Apparel & Accessories   C3VR Custom Apparel & Accessories @ Zazzle   C3VR Window Stickers   C3VR Member Deals & Discounts   C3VR Member Calendars   Shop Amazon.com
☰
SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors!  |  Advertise Here

Topic: Complete interior restoration

in Forum: C3 Interior


Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

New Topic New Topic
Post Reply Reply
New Poll New Poll
Search Search
Hide Signatures
Complete interior restoration (1/7)
 8/5/08 4:29pm
RJKartman
Former Member
Send Private Message

SPRING VALLEY, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1976 STINGRAY

Joined: 7/29/2008
Posts: 4

I just bought my first C3. It's a '76 and a very solid car but the interior needs to be completely gone through. I have done a little research and have seen some of the options available. I will need an interior kit with seat covers carpet and door panels. I have also read about the interior dye's that are available. My questions are mostly concerning these dye type products. Can the same product be used on the hard and soft interior vinyls and plastics? If anyone has any experiance with these products please share it, good, bad. Also I see the insulation blanket sound proofing. Is it worth the added investment? My plan is to make this car a nice daily driver, not a show piece but I still want it to look nice in and out. I've done a lot of mechanical work over the years on many different autos. I've even done some restoration work with fiberglass bodied cars. This interior stuff has me a little baffled. I want to get the right parts and products the first time. Thanks for any information anyone can provide.
Reply Reply
Quote Reply w/Quote
Our Sponsors help support C3VR
Complete interior restoration (2/7)
 8/5/08 4:35pm
lukesvetteLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Welcome to the wonderful experience of C3 ownership!!Smile
 
Dyes work well on hard nad plastic surfaces. You want to make sure that the prep is done right for good adhesion. I have seen less than glamorous results from dye'd seats. The vinyl seat covers are not that damaging price-wise and provide very presentable results.
 
The insulation is well worth it - you'll be thankful on hot summer days!!!
 
Good luck,
 
Paul
Reply Reply
Quote Reply w/Quote
Complete interior restoration (3/7)
 8/5/08 7:31pm
tb2k82ceLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Lemon Grove, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.

Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041

I have a 82 CE that the previous owner put cloth seats and door panels to match.  It had a cracked dash and posts etc.  Basically a complete interior.  I pulled the dash and am in the process of doing the complete interior.  

Somethings I did was replace all of the lights behind the dash changed speakers to support a newer radio and will replace the heater core as doing it later would not be nice.  There is a couple of threads on this type of restoration.  I will see if I can find them.
  
About two posts below yours is a good discussion on heat barriers

  https://www.c3vr.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74615
Tb2k82CE2008-08-05 16:41:25
Reply Reply
Quote Reply w/Quote
Complete interior restoration (4/7)
 8/5/08 8:44pm
butch's vettesLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Dillsboro, IN - USA

Vette(s):
1969-427/435hp T top Tri-power 2000-Mag Red six speed convertible

Joined: 8/3/2003
Posts: 182

RJ, If you go to www.alknochinteriors.com they have a complete library
of how to dvd's to help with the install. Also check prices.They have a
good product.       Butch


______________

Click on images for larger views!
Reply Reply
Quote Reply w/Quote
Complete interior restoration (5/7)
 8/6/08 12:24am
suncountryLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Moses Lake, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II

Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134

I did my interior a few years ago. New door panels, both lower dash pads, upper dash pad, leather seat covers, seat foam, carpet, and piller pads. The other parts I used  I think SEMA interior paint to match. It has held up very well. I scrbbed the parts with TSP then ran some through the dishwasher. I used Al Knoch on most of the parts. I did insulate which did reduce some of the heat on the interior.
 
suncountry2008-08-05 21:26:47
Reply Reply
Quote Reply w/Quote
Complete interior restoration (6/7)
 8/6/08 1:30pm
VetteSpecialties
Former Member
Send Private Message

Mounds View, MN - USA

Vette(s):
70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe

Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031

Al Knoch is the quality leader in interiors.  There are other, lower priced alternatives if you are willing to compromise a little quality for a little savings.  And there is some real junk that is not worth considering.

We have had many customers use the spray dye on soft surfaces, including seats.  The key is to clean very well before spraying.

Larry
Reply Reply
Quote Reply w/Quote
Complete interior restoration (7/7)
 8/15/08 8:55am
6880Mike
Former Member
Send Private Message

Horse Cave, KY - USA

Vette(s):
1968 convertible; 1980 L-82

Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 488

[QUOTE=RJKartman]... If anyone has any experiance with these products please share it, good, bad.... [/QUOTE]
 
I have done the interiors in my '68 (vinyl) and my '80 (leather) with SEM automotive interior dye.  Best stuff you can buy.  Shoots like lacquer.  Durable and will not rub off.  You can use it on leather, vinyl, hard plastic, and metal.  Do the Google thing for a SEM dealer in your area.  Take a small piece of your original trim color with you and they will be able to match the color.
 
Cleanliness is the key.  Parts to be dyed have to be clean.  FYI:  Corvette leather seats have a clear sealant on them from the factory.  Clean well.
 
Smile
6880Mike2008-08-15 05:56:34
Reply Reply
Quote Reply w/Quote
Our Sponsors help support C3VR