Classic Alfa Forums

Here is my solution to a common problem.
When I bought my car, the trim was in a very poor state. The rear quarter trims were useable , with a little work, but the front were beyond use.
As many know good second hand trims are like hens teeth so I set about trying to make a replacement.


I wanted to try and keep the design of the original so what I did was cut it off the old cards then use it on the replacement. This is a compromise job and I used the capping off a S3 door, with the chrome finisher of the original added to the top.


I cut the new panels out of Birch faced ply and made a new armrest and mocked it all up on the car.

After trimming in vinyl the saved panel was glued onto the panel to finish the effect.




I decided that the S3 arm rest and pull was a better set up, so have used that for the final fitting .

Wow that looks really good, many people would think they were originally like that. Wish I could save my Ti ones.

Great work there kieth . Very cool

Thanks guys, it is something I have been on and off for ages and just needed to get it finished.
Trimmer lost the best vinyl for the job. Second choice ran out so this has been a trying job.

That looks excellent Keith, top job.

really nice work mate, you'll be getting orders in soon for door card sets

Good effort looks very well, esp after overcoming your set back with the trimmer. Was he nonchalant about it or did he honestly try to make amends.

That really looks superb Keith, how is the diagonal tuck'n'roll insert attached to the door card? It looks like it is compressing the foam-backed vinyl around the edges which looks really professional. I am thinking about interior panels for the Nova and your work (plus the fantastic 1970s Alfasud interior design) is a great inspiration!

Lauren

Very nice job!

This is a job I need to do. One of the cards in the rear has now warped nearly 90 degrees ! Now I have a guid to follow. Thanks for the post and the photos.

As said before, thanks for the comments.
I have to say, the trimmer does do a nice job. It has cost me a favour ( He has a Stag and I have said I will detail his engine bay when he removes the bits!!).
Lauren,the cards were covered in 3mm foam apart from where the panel goes so that when the vinyl was fitted it formed a recess. The panel saved from the original was stuck on with some strong trimmer glue. I had to re do one and I stuck that on with polyurethane sealer. I also sealed around the panel with sealer, then found out the hard way that thinners stained the vinyl, so I had to spray the whole lot with black vinyl paint to hide the white.
The chrome strip was bought off ebay and is just stuck on with foam double sided tape that it is fitted with, and so far has stayed put.
When I cut the old fluted bit off I left an edge, then sanded it to the heat weld so it didn't fall apart. I also sanded some of the backing off to make it thinner. Then sealed it off with a thin coat of glass fibre resin. This also stiffened it.

I fitted the passenger side tonight before the light failed

Thanks Keith, I will definitely be using some of those tricks on my side panels

Lovely job Keith. They look great. I bet the sound quality has improved as well!

All the best,
Simon