How and with what to cover a car dashboard yourself

Do-it-yourself car dashboard repair

A car's dashboard or dashboard is a panel located in the front section of the cabin that houses instruments, controls and a steering wheel. It is made from high density plastics.

A torpedo in a car is damaged as a result of an accident, from constant contact with the hands of the driver and passengers, or from various objects that are carelessly thrown at it. If the front panel of the car has lost its appearance, it can be replaced or restored. These parts are expensive at salvage yards and in stores; moreover, it is not always possible to select suitable components for older car models.
There are several methods used to restore the instrument panel with your own hands, let's look at them and dwell in detail on the most popular option - painting.

Repair and reupholstery of the front panel (dashboard) with artificial leather

In what cases is it necessary to repair or reupholster the front panel of a car ?

Typically, this operation is carried out with panels on which the passenger airbags have worked, as well as with shot “turtles” - Airbag steering bags. Another option is a panel (dashboard) damaged by some chemicals or burnt by cigarettes or scratched. Also, for those who like to tune their cars. After all, you can choose any color of leatherette, as well as its structure. You just need to turn on your imagination.

Do-it-yourself methods for repairing a car dashboard

Self-recovery of a torpedo is carried out in one of three ways:

• Painting a torpedo with your own hands.
• You can cover the car dashboard with polyvinyl chloride film. The advantages of vinyl finishing include a wide selection of textures and colors of PVC films, their wear resistance and strength. The disadvantage of this method is that not all polymers that are used to make dashboards form good adhesion to polyvinyl chloride, so after some time the film peels off from the surface.

• Reupholstering the instrument panel with leather is an expensive finishing method. Leather (natural or artificial) is a durable, wear-resistant material that makes the interior luxurious. Reupholstering a torpedo with your own hands requires experience from the performer, since working with leather has many nuances. In order not to spoil expensive material, it is better to entrust this robot to an experienced craftsman.

A popular way to independently restore the appearance is to paint the dashboard, so let’s look at it in more detail.

Chevrolet Niva suspension tuning

Lada 2101 OCHRA GOLDEN Logbook VAZ 2106 instrument panel and chrome nishtyaks

Niva Chevrolet was created for driving on rough terrain, so the car’s suspension is able to withstand serious loads, but not all and not always. Therefore, to improve cross-country ability, it is necessary to strengthen the suspension.

The most popular and relatively simple is lifting a Chevrolet Niva with your own hands, that is, increasing the ground clearance. For this purpose, special kits are sold, the installation of which will require the use of plumbing and pneumatic tools, as well as the presence of a lift. Suspension tuning itself consists of the following stages:

Reinforcement of the suspension with shock absorbers, they are installed in parallel with the standard ones

It is first necessary to prepare fastenings for them Improvement in terms of the reliability of standard fastenings of support units Installation of shock-absorbing struts or gas-oil shock absorbers Replacing standard springs with reinforced modifications Installation of non-adjustable steering knuckles Replacing standard hubs with rotary ones Particular attention must be paid to reaction rods, they must be strengthened.. https: //www.youtube.com/embed/pRVkyr2OceY

Tuning the Chevrolet Niva transfer case is an important stage in suspension modernization. But in the case of Niva Chevrolet, this is more likely to eliminate childhood diseases, which increases the level of reliability of the technological unit. To do this you need:

• Replace standard bearings with double row ones
• Replacing bearings will require replacing caps
• Be sure to change the seals
• Equip the transfer case with additional shaft support

It is imperative that the transfer case be properly centered. This reduces the vibration level and increases the technical life of the unit.

Preparing for painting

The restoration of a torpedo begins with the preparatory stage, which includes dismantling and preparing the surface of the part for applying paint.

In order not to stain the interior and protect it from the unpleasant smell of solvents and paint, the dashboard is removed. Carry out work on removing the dashboard in the following sequence so as not to damage the part:

1. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
2. Remove removable elements: steering wheel, plugs, decorative elements.
3. Unscrew or open the fasteners.
4. Carefully move the panel and disconnect the electrical wiring of the devices from the power supply.
5. Remove the panel through the front door of the cabin.
6. Remove devices and buttons.

The torpedo in the car is constantly in contact with the hands of the driver and passengers, so dirt and grease accumulate on it. These contaminants contribute to the peeling off of new paint, so the panel is thoroughly washed in soapy water, wiped dry and degreased. For cleaning, you can use household detergents: special car shampoo, laundry soap solution, dishwashing liquid and others. Suitable solvents for degreasing are acetone, technical alcohol or white spirit, as well as special sponges and wipes for cars impregnated with a degreaser.

A clean, grease-free torpedo is polished to eliminate irregularities. If this step is performed poorly, layers of paint will only highlight cracks and scratches on the surface of the part. Sanding is carried out using sandpaper of different abrasiveness. You need to start sanding with a coarser sandpaper and finish with the finest sandpaper.

Advice! Sandpaper is a hard abrasive material, so if not done carefully, it will not only not eliminate unevenness, but will cause new scratches. To protect the surface from damage, use paper with the lowest grit level. Soak the sandpaper for 15 minutes in cold water to give it elasticity.

After sanding, process dust forms on the surface of the panel, which will spoil the painting result. It is carefully wiped with a rag or a special sticky napkin. The sanded and dust-free surface is primed for better adhesion of paint and polymer. It is better to use an aerosol primer for plastic surfaces, which is easy to apply and contains a plasticizer that extends the life of the panel. The priming composition is applied in 2 thin layers with an interval of 15 minutes. Before painting, the surface is degreased again.

Painting

You can paint the torpedo using special paints for plastic or coloring compounds for car bodies. The paint is sprayed using a spray gun from a distance of 20 cm from the surface of the part. Restoring a car dashboard with paints in aerosol cans is rarely done, since they cannot be used to achieve uniform coloring. Such compositions are usually used for touch-up of individual panel elements.

Painting is carried out in a ventilated area, protected from dust and direct sunlight. The paint is applied in three layers:

• The first layer, the thinnest, is called the developing layer, since after its application the errors made during grinding are emphasized. Any defects that appear are carefully sanded with fine abrasive sandpaper. The first layer of paint is applied with minimal overlap, that is, adjacent stripes overlap only along the edge, and unpainted areas of the surface are not allowed.
• The second layer is applied on the not dried first one. Adjacent stripes of this layer should overlap each other by half.
• The third coat of paint is applied in the same way as the first.

The dashboard can be matte or glossy. Experts advise not to open the dashboard with varnish, as the glare of light creates an additional load on the driver’s vision and distracts him from the road.

If you want the surface of the devices to be shiny, varnish it. The varnish is applied in 2 layers, 20 minutes after painting. For plastic parts that come into contact with the hands of the driver and passengers, two-component polyurethane varnishes are suitable. They form a smooth, glossy surface, but do not leave fingerprints on them, which is important for a part that often comes into contact with the hands of the driver and passengers.

Body and engine modifications

Tuning UAZ Patriota includes modifying the car according to the wishes of the car owner or in accordance with the conditions in which it is operated, to the most optimal level. This modification may include:

• Complete or partial reconfiguration of the engine using additional parts, in some cases replacing a new engine with a turbocharged or foreign one from Andoria or Peugeot. Chip tuning of the engine is done because many car owners consider the factory engine, for example ZMZ-409 with a volume of 2.7 liters and a power of 128 horsepower, to be rather weak for this car, and therefore it is modified by installing a gas turbine or turbocharger, increasing the power to 170 hp. With. At the same time, to overcome harsh off-road conditions, the air intake and breather are installed higher in the air filter. ;
• Replacing the standard shock absorbers with stiffer ones, and changing the springs to shortened ones. This helps reduce vertical wheel travel and makes the car more stable. The levers with rubber bands are also replaced with more durable ones;
• Upgrading the gearbox and tuning the ECU (electronic control units. UAZ Patriot chip tuning is done exclusively by specialists. Using special equipment, new firmware is installed that optimizes driving on the highway and off-road, as well as stimulates the operation of the cooling system and eliminates errors that appear in the injection system .
• Tuning the interior, in most cases, includes replacing the seats with anatomical ones, installing a sports steering wheel, improving sound insulation, installing air conditioning and electric windows, and other improvements. In this case, the interior may change beyond recognition;
• Body tuning, as a rule, includes repainting and airbrushing the body, tinting windows, installing arch extensions, winches, a rocker guard, installing an aerodynamic body kit, side sills, alloy wheels, replacing the front and rear bumpers.

The most attention is paid to tuning the interior, since it does not differ in any kind of sophistication, it is nondescript and gray. But with a little modification, it can be made more modern with important and useful options. There are special kits of tuning parts that allow you to quickly make modifications in the absence of free time, for example MODI. Such a kit may include internal door trims, which are fastened with special screws, a leather or varnished steering wheel, and the kit may also include wooden handles for the gearbox. In addition to these modifications, sound insulation is improved; in this case, all metal parts of the body are covered with sound-insulating material, which can be bitoplast.

Demand for color

Designers advise painting the dashboard in the same color as the interior, choosing a slightly lighter shade. This reduces the strain on the driver's eyes. To make the interior of the cabin original, you can use one of the current colors: anthracite (charcoal color with a dusty effect) or titanium (golden hue with matte or dazzling glossy effects).

Repairing a car dashboard using “liquid rubber” paint is popular. When dry, this composition forms a smooth, rich matte surface, pleasant to the touch and resistant to negative influences.

Car dashboard reupholstery: when necessary, choice of material, technology

Hello, dear friends! Objectively, there are quite a few reasons why a torpedo may need to be re-upholstered. Therefore, we will not focus on why to do this, but rather let’s talk about how to do it with your own hands.

I’ll say right away that if you are not good with threads and needles, don’t know how to take basic measurements, and don’t know anything about patterns, then it’s better not to take on such work. This is objectively easier to do than reupholstering the steering wheel with leather, but it is also about as difficult as reupholstering the interior of a car. The technology is not the most complex, but it has its own nuances. Moscow, St. Petersburg and a number of other cities are ready to offer dozens of salons where they will provide you with reupholstery services. Although prices will differ significantly from the costs that are possible when working independently.

The first step is to decide on the material. And then, based on the instructions and recommendations, preparatory measures will be carried out, and as a result, the interior of your car will sparkle with completely new colors.

Features of the VAZ 2109 body

ATTENTION! A completely simple way to reduce fuel consumption has been found! Don't believe me? An auto mechanic with 15 years of experience also didn’t believe it until he tried it. And now he saves 35,000 rubles a year on gasoline! Read more". "Nine" is a front-wheel drive passenger car with a hatchback body type.

The car is equipped with 5 doors. It has several modifications released at different times and for different purposes - 21091, 21093, 21099

“Nine” is a front-wheel drive passenger car with a hatchback body. The car is equipped with 5 doors. It has several modifications, released at different times and for different purposes - 21091, 21093, 21099.

The body of the “nine” is made in a load-bearing structure and is 1-volume. 5 people can easily fit inside the car, although the hatchback does not have the comfort of a sedan. It was with the aim of increasing the convenience and spaciousness of the interior that one of the modifications of the “nine” was invented - the VAZ 21099.

The body of the “nine” is distinguished by a wedge-shaped shape, which is already a plus. The fact is that this form can significantly improve the AED* characteristics and reduce the resistance of oncoming air flows when the vehicle is moving.

Significant benefits in reducing the impact of air flow come from the smoothed outer surfaces of the hood, the greater slope of the windshield and rear window, as well as the unusually smooth connection of the front bumper to the body frame.

This body layout, coupled with a more economical power unit and new tire shapes, made it possible to significantly reduce fuel consumption.

In addition, this indicator is closely related to the reduction in body weight, which was achieved through the introduction of lightweight plastics and new composite materials. The plastic parts of the body and interior of the Nine, and there are a lot of them in the car, weigh about 80 kg.

To carry out tuning on the “nine”, it will be useful to know how much the body of the VAZ 2109 weighs. This will make it possible to strengthen the frame by adding as much extra weight as needed. According to the table below, we see that the weight of the VAZ 2109 body in its bare state is 450 kg. Designers call this mass useful.

Despite the light weight, the car owner is given the opportunity to easily transport from 50 to 275 kg of various cargo in the trunk, depending on the number of passengers inside the cabin.

Thanks to front-wheel drive and a special body structure, the “nine” is distinguished by enviable stability against lateral skidding. Good handling is ensured, again, due to the front drive wheels and the coincidence of the direction of the traction force with the direction of movement of the wheels.

The handling of the “nine” is especially good in comparison with other domestic cars, on icy roads, slippery roads, and so on.

In addition, the front-wheel drive design of the car allows for better use of the length of the body compared to rear-wheel drive models. This also makes it possible to reduce the weight of the car, make the interior and driving position more comfortable.

Due to the absence of intermediate transmission links in the “nine”, it is possible to increase the useful volume of the vehicle without increasing the dimensions of the body. In the “nine” the floor tunnel is short; only parts of the brake and exhaust system are located here.

The rear of the Nine is also very compact. The 20-litre fuel tank is located under the rear seat, and the spare tire is located in a niche in the floor of the luggage compartment. This helped increase the free space in the trunk.

More information about the structure of the VAZ 2109 body can be found in the table below.

Material selection

Today, the market offers a wide range of materials with which you can reupholster the dashboard yourself or in a workshop.

Some use rubber material, others prefer natural leather, while others believe that the future belongs to Alcantara and eco-leather. When choosing a material, be sure to take into account its performance characteristics, possibilities of use, as well as ease of further maintenance and use. Nobody bothers you to use ordinary fabric as a basis. But in the case of a dashboard, practicality will be at an extremely low level. Something more universal and adapted to active use is better.

Each material has its own strengths and weaknesses. Offering to talk separately about all the most popular and common solutions.

And you will already draw the appropriate conclusions, make your choice and finally begin the long-awaited reupholstery.

Experienced motorists and tuning specialists who are involved, among other things, in interior flocking, recommend using one of 5 material options when applying to a car dashboard.

• Autocarpet. Original, unusual, cheap and cheerful;
• Leatherette. A substitute for genuine leather enjoys well-deserved popularity. Although it has its drawbacks;
• Vinyl film. Vinyl reupholstery also boasts strengths and weaknesses;
• Alcantara. One of the most trendy materials. But it's not just about fashion, but also about real possibilities;
• Genuine Leather. It is gradually losing its relevance due to existing substitutes. In fact, it's not the most obvious choice.

It doesn’t matter at all what kind of car you decide to reupload the dashboard on. It could be an old Chevrolet Lanos, a VAZ 2114, a relatively fresh Chevrolet Cruze, or even a latest generation Ford Focus.

To decide on the material, I will try to briefly talk about them.

Pros and cons of reupholstery materials

Let's start with the autocarpet. In terms of cost, the most budget option on a synthetic basis. It does not like excessive tension, otherwise scratches will form and it will be difficult to disguise them.

But at the same time, carpet is positioned as an effective thermal insulation material. It also does an excellent job of suppressing noise. It is not surprising that carpet has gained the greatest popularity among owners of domestic cars. A good autocarpet is not subject to shedding, it does not fade, and its operation is extremely simple and straightforward. If you are re-stretching a torpedo for the first time, it is better to start with the carpet. The material forgives mistakes and inaccuracies.

Leather substitute ranks second in popularity for upholstery materials for car interiors and panels. It is cheaper than genuine leather, but superior to vinyl and velor.

Only genuine leather and Alcantara can beat leatherette in price. If the quality is good, leatherette is in no way inferior to leather in appearance and performance characteristics. But in terms of mechanical stability, it is not the best example. The material will not absorb noise and its thermal insulation properties are low.

Not the best options

There are materials that are actively advertised and at first glance seem like an ideal choice. However, in reality, certain shortcomings are revealed quite quickly. The following materials can be called such dubious options for re-upholstering torpedoes.

A film known as "
brushed aluminum
". It has a number of advantages: it is easy to use because it stretches when heated and has an adhesive layer; Wide range of colors available; looks quite elegant; is relatively inexpensive. However, the advantages are offset by significant disadvantages.

Firstly, if the console has a textured surface, which is far from uncommon, the film will adhere disgustingly. Manufacturers recommend using a primer - an adhesive enhancer - in such cases. This complicates the work, but does not help very well. Secondly, in the heat the film quickly shrinks and begins to move away from the console. Accordingly, the latter takes on a completely depressing appearance.

Plasti Dip, is actively recommended for finishing a torpedo.

.
Since it is applied by spraying, even complex shapes can be sealed with it, which is a definite plus. However, chips and deep scratches appear through the liquid rubber; palm prints often remain on it (and are not removed by anything); Plasti Dip is resistant to gasoline and all its derivatives, white spirit, alcohol solutions, many adhesives and solvents. And if the edge comes off and water gets under it, ugly bubbles and tears are guaranteed. One of the most budget-friendly options for covering is carpet. This is the most harmless material on this list. The only downsides include the tendency to become dirty and the difficulty of subsequent cleaning. If you choose carpet, you should take the choice of glue seriously: many compounds are not resistant to heat, and in the summer it will be significant. Well, the look, to put it mildly, is also budget-friendly. Everything is described in more detail in the article “How to glue a car carpet”.

Tools and materials

To reupholster dashboards or car panels yourself, you will need to prepare the appropriate set of tools and materials.

The standard set consists of:

• masking tape;
• scissors;
• brushes;
• fine-grained sandpaper;
• sewing machine;
• threads;
• paper for patterns;
• universal glue;
• primers;
• degreaser;
• marker;
• construction hair dryer.

When choosing a material, be sure to select the appropriate adhesive composition for it, and also learn about the key features of working with it. Not all materials can be heated too much.

Step-by-step instruction

Now you can start working directly on the old and worn-out dashboard, turning it into a new and nice panel in the interior of your vehicle.

Since each machine has its own nuances, I will not focus on some of the subtleties of dismantling. Just look at the manual and do everything according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

The step-by-step process for re-stretching a torpedo can be described something like this:

• First, the torpedo itself is removed. It will need to be cleaned using fine-grained sandpaper;
• After cleaning, you need to cover the dismantled element with masking tape;
• Next, a layer of paper intended for the pattern is applied. Outline it with a marker. In all directions there should be a margin of about 15 mm in the length of the material;
• If you use leather, then remove the created pattern from the torpedo, apply it to a piece of material, and outline the borders with a marker;
• Appropriate pieces of leather are cut out to the desired shapes and sizes;
• The 15 mm left as a reserve needs to be folded, after which the cover is sewn with a machine;
• The panel that you previously cleaned now needs to be degreased. Once the degreaser has dried, go over a coat of primer;
• After the primer has dried, apply a thin layer of glue to the panel;
• Another layer is applied to the back of the leather workpiece;
• The cover is carefully pulled onto the panel. Using a hair dryer, straighten out all the resulting wrinkles;
• Now you can use a hairdryer to go over all the surfaces of the dashboard so that the glue is fully distributed and set.

Wait for it to dry completely, cut off all excess, after which you can safely return the torpedo to its place, following the reverse sequence of dismantling.

Before you apply any adhesive, primer or degreaser, make sure it is safe for the trim material and panel you are using.

I can’t say that it’s incredibly difficult to pull a torpedo. Much depends on how complex the shape of the panel is. Sometimes you can just pull it over with a solid piece, cutting out all the excess. In more complex situations, patterns are made, and blanks are created from them.

If you have personal experience in re-upholstering a torpedo, be sure to write in the comments. Share your tips, personal achievements and even mistakes you've made. And I will say goodbye to you.

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Features of installation work

The process of upgrading your dashboard is quite simple. For this:

1. First you need to dismantle the factory instrument panel, for which you can use a screwdriver. During dismantling, you should remember the direction of the arrows, since in the future, at the time of installation, significant problems may arise.2. After dismantling the panel, the standard insert located on the light guide is peeled off. During peeling, there is a high probability of damage to structural elements. Therefore, it is recommended to use a utility knife.3. Next, you can bend the factory insert and erase the old filter. 4. The inside of the insert is treated with glue. Therefore, you should work with tweezers, which will eliminate the possibility of damage to the layer.5. Using tweezers, the previously prepared blue film is laid. It should be located immediately behind the white scale sector.6. After placing the captivity, a lighting check is carried out. Next, we install the LEDs in the top row. They are ground off and filled with glue.

The final stage is to install the instrument panel in place. After this, you should check the correct operation of the instrument panel, for which you should drive a little

It is quite important to check that the information is clearly readable from any driving position

The backlight should also have a high brightness level, otherwise the information will be difficult to read.

Do-it-yourself car interior reupholstery. How to do it and what you need

Are the covers frayed, the ceiling worn out, and is it sickening to look at the dashboard? Well, it's time to start reupholstering the car interior.

For whatever reasons you decide to reupholster the car interior with your own hands, you should thoroughly prepare for this. Select materials, purchase the necessary tools, study the process itself, etc. Keep in mind that you will have to work hard: not every service station technician will undertake the covering of the “torpedo” (as motorists usually call the dashboard together with the glove compartment and air diffusers) and doors. Therefore, if you are not sure that you can handle it, it is better to contact specialists. Less will have to be redone later.

Tablet Dashboard app

You can download the application from the link.

We thank the Drive2 portal user Frud for the published version of the application and description of the application installation method:

After installation, the application will already work. In order to enable its autoloading, you must do the following:

After installation, you need to go to the Android settings, in the “Home Screen” section, select the VenatorLite2 dashboard application. A very important point! You cannot go to Android settings from the dashboard application to return to the standard Launcher. Before installing the application instead of Launcher, you need to make sure that the settings can be accessed from the status bar. Otherwise, returning the standard launcher will be problematic.

NOTE! Before installing autoload, it is advisable to configure and debug the application.

After launching the application, you need to go to the settings (click on the gear icon at the top right). Here you need to specify the IP address and port (In our example, these values ​​are: address 192.168.4.1 and port 3333).

All that remains is to connect and test. If everything was done correctly, then when you turn on the device and apply “plus” to the 4th pin of the Arduino, the dashboard will turn on.

And here’s what the dashboard installed in the OCU looks like:

We wish you success in implementing this project

Or maybe it's better to flock?

Before discussing the reupholstery process, it is worth mentioning one very economical and simple, but little-known interior finishing technology. For some reason, it is not yet popular among car enthusiasts. Maybe this is due to the lack of good advertising, who knows.

We're talking about flocking. Flocking is a surface finishing technology using flock (microfiber of artificial origin). The flocked surface looks quite aesthetically pleasing, easily withstands temperature changes, and is resistant to mechanical stress. In case of damage, the structure of the material can be quickly restored, without leaving even a hint that you once scratched it or poured paint on it.

True, only solid elements made of plastic can be flocked. The doors will still have to be covered (carpet, Alcantara, etc.).

Flocking the dashboard

To flock the interior you will need a flocking machine, glue, brush, color and flock (1–1.5 kg). The car can be purchased at a specialized store or rented.

1. Remove the dashboard and take it out of the cabin. Sand the surface, carefully smoothing out any uneven surfaces, then wipe with acetone or alcohol.
2. Dilute the glue in a clean container and add color to it. The amount of the latter depends only on your personal preferences. Apply the mixture to the surface of the torpedo.
3. Place the torpedo on a sheet of metal, connect the positive contact to it and turn on the flock.
4. Start sprinkling the piece with flock, gradually moving it under the flocker so that the flocks stick evenly. If something suddenly goes wrong, you can always wash off the glue with water, wipe the surface with solvent and repeat the operation.
5. After about a day, the flocked torpedo can be installed back into the cabin.

Torpedo VAZ-2107 its description and purpose

The VAZ-2107 car is equipped with a full-format dashboard, which includes a large number of display devices. With the help of warning lights, the driver monitors the movement of the car, keeping an eye not only on the road surface, but also on the condition of the main components of the vehicle. Among the most important indicators marked on the instrument panel:

• vehicle speed at the current time;
• temperature in the engine part;
• fuel compartment full;
• fullness of the oil compartment in the engine.

The torpedo consists of a large number of measuring instruments, each of which monitors the performance of a particular unit. The instrument panel is located in the car's interior, crashing into the dashboard on the driver's side. The main indicators are protected by strong transparent glass, which protects the sensor readings from mechanical influences.

Interior reupholstery

How to reupholster a car interior with your own hands? The instructions will help you. But first we should talk about materials. After all, choosing them is sometimes not so easy either.

Choosing material

In car service workshops, carpet, Alcantara and leatherette are usually used to reupholster the interior. Each of these materials is good in its own way, each has its own advantages. Of course, there are also disadvantages.

If your budget is small, buy carpet. This is an inexpensive and fairly dense material that looks good in appearance. It stretches well and has a pleasant fleecy texture. In stores you can find carpet of almost any color, which is also good news. Cons: cannot be used to cover a torpedo.

Learn about windshield polishing here.

Alcantara is more expensive, but will also last longer. The material is soft and silky to the touch. Known for its “immunity” to pollution of various origins. The Alcantara interior is very easy to care for.

Faux leather will cost you no more than all of the above materials. It stretches perfectly, which allows it to be used for covering a torpedo. It also tears remarkably well, so you need to work with it very carefully. Leatherette also gets dirty, scratched and absorbs foreign odors. In general, the option is extremely unreliable.

Which motor oil is best? What do the experts say? All information is here.

Torpedo cover

How do you start reupholstering a car interior with your own hands? The technology is always the same: preparation, patterns, stretching and drying. The procedure does not change depending on what exactly you decide to cover: doors or ceiling, dashboard or armrest. But due to its complex shape, a torpedo is usually a little more hassle, so we will use this as an example of interior reupholstery technology.

1. We dismantle the dashboard and take it out of the cabin.
2. We remove the old material and polish the surface of the torpedo. All irregularities, cracks and chips must be eliminated.
3. We wipe the dashboard with alcohol, acetone or gasoline to degrease. Leave it for some time in a well-ventilated area so that it dries completely.
4. We mark the seams and remove the pattern. Remember that the material you will use for covering must lie perfectly on the surface of the torpedo, without creases or folds. You can remove the pattern after marking using non-woven material: glue it onto the panel (you can use regular rubber glue) and transfer the markings.
5. We cut out the material using non-woven patterns. Do not forget that you need to leave approximately 7-10 mm at the edges for hemming the seams.
6. We cut out the elements of the future covering, apply them to the dashboard and check whether you took the dimensions correctly. If everything is done correctly, we sew the flaps along the seams using a special machine. You can try to do this manually, but you are unlikely to succeed.
7. We cut off the excess folded material from the inside. We cut very carefully so as not to cut off the threads along with them.
8. We coat the wrong side of the material and the surface of the torpedo with glue, let it dry a little. Then we begin the covering: checking the correspondence of the markings and the location of the seams, we pull the sewn “cover” onto the panel. To stretch sections of the material, heat them with a hairdryer and roll them with a rubber roller.

Read about holders for your navigator here.

The torpedo takes about two days to dry. Sometimes more, sometimes less. As soon as the glue “sets” and the material adheres securely to the surface of the dashboard, it can be installed in the interior.

Errors

You don't gain experience right away. Therefore, for the first time, you can get air bubbles, uneven seams, and unnoticed defects in the original surface.

There may also be errors when choosing the material. You should especially remember about the persistent odor in the cabin if substances not intended for this purpose are used.

Note to you: How long does alcohol last in a driver’s blood?

Cheap, widely used glue can take years to wear out, so it is better to purchase all consumables from a specialized supplier as a single package.

The importance of carefully performing assembly and disassembly operations has already been mentioned. At the installation stage, you may encounter a changed panel geometry; you need to think about this when marking the patterns.

Useful tips

We figured out how to reupholster a car interior with your own hands. Technology, video instructions and photographs are at your disposal. It remains only to clarify some points:

• You need to use high quality glue. A professional two-component shoe glue for working with leather is suitable. It dries very quickly, but has a specific smell. After drying, the smell will completely disappear;
• For sanding plastic parts, regular sandpaper is suitable;
• When heating the material, be careful. You can, after all, burn it through by accident;
• Carry out the markings carefully. It’s better to check the dimensions 3-4 times in a row than to cut and sew a “cover” that turns out to be much smaller/larger than needed;
• You need to sew the covering elements together with a dense, strong thread. Nylon, which is usually used by shoemakers, is ideal.

Tips for reupholstering with leather

With this type of car tuning, it is important to pay attention to detail. Before performing work, it is important to think through and select options for giving the car individuality and elegance. To do this, not only high-quality material is selected, but also threads, options for combining and using seams, decoration with inscriptions, emblems or drawings

To do this, not only high-quality material is selected, but also threads, options for combining and using seams, and decoration with inscriptions, emblems or drawings.

Fans of a sporty style in the interior can use seams with large pitches and thick thread. The color of the thread can be chosen to be more contrasting. For business-class cars, the color of the material is selected to be discreet, the thread is thin, pastel shades, the seams are small and frequent.

An important element of individuality are the patterns on the upholstery. To cover the interior with leather and preserve various emblems, there are two options available for leather: apply embroidery to the prepared pattern using a special sewing machine or carry out an embossing operation. The second option is more expensive, but if done well, it looks impressive and stylish.

For embossing you will need to make a special metal matrix. To leave a mark on the skin, it is heated to a given temperature and such a pattern is applied using a press. The convenience of the method lies in the fact that exactly such a stamp can be applied to a large number of surfaces.

When covering the steering wheel, you must remember the possibility of airbag deployment

It is necessary to work with the steering wheel very carefully, leaving the possibility of opening the airbag at a given time. To do this, the seams should be stitched with a thread with a low tensile strength.

In this case, it is advisable to trim the places from which the safety element must come out for quick operation.

A large number of photos of car interior leather upholstery can be found on different pages. All of them have only one thing in common – individual execution. Each resulting option is unique. After all, having invested your work and money, you always want to get the maximum return.