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How much would you charge?

39K views 114 replies 18 participants last post by  AFX 
#1 ·
I started redoing the interior in my 78 ford truck a while ago, first time Ive done basically a completely custom interior and have been posting my progress on another forum. Still have a ton of work to do though. Anyways I got a lot of good feedback and had a lot of guys ask about doing some work for them. I figured why not since Im running short on cash for my project and its good practice. Lately Ive been doing some dash pads and Im curious about how much a shop would charge in labor to do this. Obviously I havent been doing this for very long and I cant do it as perfect as someone whos been doing it for years, but theyre coming out pretty nice. So could someone give me an idea of what youd charge. I have a feeling Im not selling them for enough. It takes more time than I was expecting to fix cracks, landau foam the top and sew a six foot seam. Ive sold 4 so far.

Heres the ones Ive done for customers. The orange thread wasnt my idea, But it turned out nice.lol. Working on a red one right now. These are all done in symphony vinyl.







I can start up a thread if anyone wants to see how my interiors coming along, but Im not really close to being finished. Ive kinda stopped because Ive decided to do a few things to it that I wasnt expecting to do, and I dont have the cash right now. heres one of the panels I finished up a little while ago.

 
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#52 ·
Havent tried it yet. Really havent had a reason to. Ill give it a try after I get my interior finished up, its been taking up a lot of my time the past couple weeks. Havent been taking on much work for anyone lately either, just trying to finish up my truck interior, want to get it done so I have something that shows off what I can do. I cant see anyone letting me do an interior with no example of what I can do, especially when your only 21.

Finally got my dash finished other than the steering wheel, dont want to cash out for it yet. Door panels and kicks should be finished and installed in the next couple weeks. Then Ill do the carpet, seats Ill do last.






Heres what Im working on right now. Ill get it finished later this week. Took a little work, as long as these dash pads arent warped theyre not too difficult to fix. Defrost vents were a little tricky, had to pop them out and do some glassing to get a nice edge around them when I wrap. Not always worth doing this especially if you can buy a new one for cheaper, but these pads are pretty pricey so it worked out.



 
#54 ·
Vinyl is symphony, kind of has a satin sheen to it. So far I like the material.
Heres where Im at with my panels. Kicks are ready to cover, changed up the panels a little. Wanted to make them look more like a stock set of panels, so bottom halves are getting a molded map pocket.

 
#56 ·
Yeah I got it because it had the pebble finish, looking at the leather on the f150 seats and comparing it to the symphony its a real close match. Hard to tell them apart. Ive found it a real good material when covering really curved or weird shaped projects, stretches really well.
 
#57 ·
FYI, I tried sewing 270 thread on my Consew 255RB-3 with a size 25 needle, and was able to get good stitches. This machine has a really big bobbin so I won't have to worry about running out of bobbin thread so quickly.
 
#60 ·
I have yet another question Dan. Do you do seat belts? Ive done a set and theyre about as simple as you get. I just copy the original stitch pattern. My worry is, is there some sort of liability doing these? I have a hard time seeing them fail at the stitches as long as it copies the original pattern.

Also what the correct thread size to use for these, just want to double check.
 
#63 ·
So Im pretty much finished with my panels. waiting for a new bench top polisher I ordered to polish out my trim. pictures coming soon.

Now Im trying to figure out how to run my carpet. I have a pretty good idea of how Im going to lay it out, just wanted to see if anyone has any advice. Never done a carpet job before, but Im not too worried. Im going to be using black german square weave. Planning on ordering it from GAHH, but if anyone knows of somewhere out of California I can order it from it will help me save on tax.

Tried to get a good picture of what the floor in my truck looks like. Any advice for laying it out will be appreciated.

http://www.a-zrestoration.com/Fiberglass_Body_Parts/images/FFT-69.gif
 
#64 ·
Do the carpet in 4 pieces. 1st piece covers the tunnel. 2nd and 3rd pieces cover the footwells on either side of the tunnel up the firewall. 4th piece covers the area under the seat to the back wall of the cab. You may need more or less pieces, it's hard to tell just looking at a picture. You can bind the edges next to the tunnel or just butt the carpet up to the tunnel, whatever look you're going for.
 
#67 ·
Thanks. Already have the padding down. Have my steamer, Im guessing the only areas Ill need adhesive is in the tight areas or corners, so Itll keep the shape. I really dont want to use a lot, because of the fact if I need to pull it up for any reason.

Ill just have to wait until I get the carpet and see how it acts. Is the square weave nice to work with? Its going to cost a lot, but I think its worth the wool carpet. I want it to last a long time.
 
#68 ·
Time and Materials warning

In February of this year I took my truck to a Hot Rod shop for a quesstimate on body work and paint. I had heard that this shop did nice work but was expensive. I figured I would get an estimate and if I thought it was beyond what I wanted or unaffordable I would go to my second choice which was far away and probably not as good a quality of work but I was not looking to have a show car. I took it to the closer shop for an estimate. It was guite a bit more than what I had in mind but I thought that I could handle it and I liked the idea of them getting it done in two months as they said they would. A little background on the truck. This was a great truck to start with. No patch panels needed. Not rusted through anywhere. It was already chopped and all fenders repaired by a professional but the finish work needed to be done. No work needed on the chassis. It is now the beginning of August and I still don't have the truck but expect it done any day now. The time and material has now gone over the estimae by 65%. Very little of this is materials. I bought the paint for it. The shop owner who did the estimate has been in business for over 30 years. The paint job is a very basic one color finish. I did not want something where I would worry if it was out of sight. I did want a nice fit on the doors and hood, etc.. I guess I feel that I was mislead by the terrible estimating job. I cannot understand how a person who has been doing this for over 30 years could blow an estimate that badly. This shop bills you weekly and the bills are not small. Before they get one payment there is already another on the way. By the time you see it getting out of hand it may be too late to stop it and your vehicle is in many pieces which makes it difficult to just go get it. I will say that the shop lowered there hourly rate some time back to help and now we have agreed on a single final payment at the time of pickup. My advice to you if you get an estimate is to add another 50% at least. I shoulda built a rat rod. Would have been just as happy and without the stress and empty bank account. Good luck and beware.
 
#74 ·
Found them last night, they sent me a quote this morning $90 a yard. Also fornd a place in Van Nuys, Rich and Famous Auto Tops, cheapest so far $70 a yard. Looks like Ill go with them. Thats a lot better than the $125 I originally thought it would cost,looks like Ill be getting some a lot sooner than I thought.
 
#75 ·
Looking for charcoal colored thread in 138. So far sunguard is the only stuff I can find that has 138 in charcoal. But I cant find anyone who sells it, I only see everyone carrying black and white in 138 sunguard.

Thread exchange has no charcoal colors, just gray and smoke, I contacted them to see if they might have what Im looking for. Does anyone know where I can find some 138 Charcoal?

Otherwise Ill just go with the 92 sunguard that I can find pretty easy. Im using this for french seams so I would like to keep it as 138.
 
#76 ·
I think one of my suppliers can get me size 138 Sunguard 223Q charcoal in one pound tubes only. If you want it, let me know and I'll have them drop ship it right to you. All you have to do is pay the invoice.
 
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