[Modern_twist]

Ok Ive checked out the tutorials on here on redoing my seats and door panels but im not sure what all this stuff means. I'm a paint guy so to me it might as well be wrote in Japanese or something. Ok so i guess to elaborate i want to do the style with the two patches of material in the sitting area then the vinyl around it. What weight am i looking for. I kinda want to use this black and white hounds tooth pattern material i found cuz it looks retro to me. Its 7oz and says its a cotton blend. This wound be the main seating area with the black vinyl meeting up to it. Also what weight on the vinyl? Can i use the same two fabrics on my door panels or no? and what am i looking for in a carpet?

 

[JeffB]

Big Help on the way!

This should help you a lot click on this:www.cadvision.com/blanchas/54pontiac scroll down and click on Progress Report and Tech Articles.There is a lot of great info on this site,I used the door panel build on my '54 Ford total cost for 4 panels $118 :thumbup:

 

[DanTwoLakes]

The weight of fabric is designated in two different ways, by the linear yard and by the square yard. In other words, the weight doesn't mean anything unless you know how it's measured. 7 oz. fabric by weighing a square yard (3 ft. by 3 ft. ) is a lot better fabric than 7oz. weighing a linear yard (3 ft. by 4 ft. 6 inches) The square yard is less, so that would be the heavier of the two. 7 oz. fabric is not very heavy. You need to find at least upholstery grade material, automotive grade would be better, especially for the inserts on the seats that will take the most abuse. My suggestion if you want houndstooth is to look into vintage Camaro seat fabric. Houndstooth was big on (I think) 2nd generation Camaros.

Automotive grade, marine grade, or transportation grade vinyl is rated at 27 to 29 ozs. per linear yard. These have coatings that make them more UV, oil, gas, and mildew resistant.

Yes, you can use the same two fabrics on your door panels.

As far as carpet goes, there are a lot of online places to buy automotive carpet, either molded to fit your particular car, or by the yard. Here's one such place: CLICK HERE There are two basic types most people use, although there are many kinds of carpet. What you use is up to you, but 80/20 loop carpet is more retro and stands up to dirt better than cut pile.

 

[Modern_twist]

so where to go old school

i want to give my car that old retro feel and i just think like houndstooth or a plaid flannel look or something really would pop nicely. Where would i find this? Do i want to google automotive fabrics or what? Also is there any fabrics i should just stay right away from?

 

[DanTwoLakes]

Like I said before, you need to use at least upholstery grade fabric. If your car will be a daily driver, you need to use automotive grade fabric. If you can find someone with DeLeo or Detroit Body Cloth books,(these are newer car fabrics) you can pick something out. If you want to go retro, you can check out Original Auto Interiors. CLICK HERE They have NOS ( new old stock) fabrics for vehicles from the 50's to the 80's. Be prepared to pay $60 to $80 a yard.