Does anyone have information on how to make raised flames under vinyl door covers? and how to get vinyl to form odd shapes. The panel I'm covering has several curves and I can't get it to lay smooth, I have a big wrinkle. I've tried a heat gun but the vinyl doesn't seem to want to lay or stick very well. I thought maybe cutting and splicing, but it leaves a seem.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Mike Henricks

Have you tried a search yet? The forming of shapes has been covered many of times, and there's a ton of great info on those threads. As for getting it to lay down smooth, what are you using to make it stick?

I'm using contact cement. An upholstrey shop suggested the formica contact cement.

An upholstety shop recommended formica cement??? Go get yourself a spray adhesive, 3M Foam Fast or Super 77. And if the curve is very complex, you might not be able to get it without having it sewn. You cant infinitely stretch vinyl, it has its limits, and some big bubbles in panels, such as a molded armrest cant be done. And if it is just a basic vinyl from a fabric supply store, chances are its a low end, hard to work with vinyl.

it is done with foam rubber i cut some in the shape of flames and did a head liner 3m spray is best to hold it up

vinyl is then added over it

Usually it is rigid polyurethane foam that is shaped with a sureform tool.

Vince

You say vinyl is hard to work with, but what if i do a panel with vinyl that only has a few 1/4" groves that go across the panel.. will it work for that?

As long as you work the material into the grooves, and not stretch it into the grooves, it will work. Dont go cheap on the vinyl or you will regret it.

is katzkin vinyl ok... they say that have vinyl that willl match,,, i don't have many sources for this....

Dont mention Katzkin to me...They are just using a vinyl like any other supplier has, they dont have their own line of vinyl.

i've been hesitant of katzkin myself.. as I think it's more clever advertising than anything but i could be wrong... But i'm new to interior, but that's why i'm posting on it....

About 5 or 6 years ago i installed a guys set of Katzkin covers for him. Not only were the seat covers sewn wrong and needed to be restitched, but the crappiest leather and vinyl were used on the covers. Around the same time, someone else stopped by my shop and wanted help with their leather seat kit. It just so happened to be a Katzkin kit, and the guy wasnt doing anything wrong, the covers were sewn wrong again. I had to send him on his way, because i wasnt messing with that junk again.

Use a small amount of MEK on the back of the vinyl. It will soften the backing and make it plyable. When it evaporates it will be okay. Of course try this with a scrap first.

Sorry to threadjack, but I am restretching the vinyl at the corners of my stock rear quarter interior panels in my '69 Cougar.

The quarter piece looks to be formed out of plastic. What would be a good adhesive to bond the vinyl after I pull the wrinkles out? And, what is MEK?

Thanks,

Matt

A-Body fan
MEK Methol ethol keytone not sure if it is spelled correctly, should be able to get it from a paint store or some hardware stores carry it.

use 3M Foam Fast or 3M Super 77 both should be able to work well for you

30dee