Interior Restoration
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria VA
Interior Restoration
As I can save money little by little, I plan to do an interior restoration. What is the best sequence to do so?
Ultimately, I plan on:
-restoring or replacing the seats
-replacing the entire carpet
-replacing the rear storage compartments
-replacing the kick panels
-replacing the upper and lower dashpads
-replacing the console trim
Thank you for the help.
Craig
Ultimately, I plan on:
-restoring or replacing the seats
-replacing the entire carpet
-replacing the rear storage compartments
-replacing the kick panels
-replacing the upper and lower dashpads
-replacing the console trim
Thank you for the help.
Craig
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
I'd buy it as you can afford it, set it all aside, then do it all at once. No sense in tearing up your interior more than once. While the interior is out, put in a layer of Dynamat (or similar product) for noise, and a layer of Reflectix on top of that to keep out the heat, then lay your carpet, then seats. The rear compartment and dash restore is easier with the seats out anyway, so that's why I say stockpile, then do it all at one time.
Thats how I'm about to do it next week!
Rob
Thats how I'm about to do it next week!
Rob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I'll help you out, I have a 1970 drivers side lower dash pad from Wilcox that I ended up not using on a restoration, its black $195 shipped to the 48 US states (runs over $250 plus shipping from Wilcox.) 1970 has some unique parts from the later C3 Vettes and this is one of them. Email me at zeohsix2002@yahoo.com for pictures if you or anyoine else wants it. BRAND NEW NEVER INSTALLED!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 2
From: Visalia CA
Home Depot sells the Reflectix. I agree save up and try and do it all at once. You can also buy the parts as you have $$ and then once you have it all go to town. 
It is so nice to see it all done together... well worth the wait.
It is so nice to see it all done together... well worth the wait.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,976
Likes: 6,203
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I'd buy it as you can afford it, set it all aside, then do it all at once. No sense in tearing up your interior more than once. While the interior is out, put in a layer of Dynamat (or similar product) for noise, and a layer of Reflectix on top of that to keep out the heat, then lay your carpet, then seats. The rear compartment and dash restore is easier with the seats out anyway, so that's why I say stockpile, then do it all at one time.
Thats how I'm about to do it next week!
Rob
Thats how I'm about to do it next week!
Rob
Yep, take it all out... do it all at once...
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
As I can save money little by little, I plan to do an interior restoration. What is the best sequence to do so?
Ultimately, I plan on:
-restoring or replacing the seats
-replacing the entire carpet
-replacing the rear storage compartments
-replacing the kick panels
-replacing the upper and lower dashpads
-replacing the console trim
Thank you for the help.
Craig
Ultimately, I plan on:
-restoring or replacing the seats
-replacing the entire carpet
-replacing the rear storage compartments
-replacing the kick panels
-replacing the upper and lower dashpads
-replacing the console trim
Thank you for the help.
Craig
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Do it all at once....but plan well for it. Remember, when you get the interior out, you will be able to check-out/repair/upgrade your radio/speakers, heat/cool ducting & control system, replace ALL indicator bulbs, correct any dash wiring problems PLUS do the heat insulation update. [P.S. Buy Reflectix at Home Depot...don't forget some 3M spray glue and some foil tape to assist in the process.]
So, you need to think through this whole process and obtain any parts (bulbs, wiring, hoses, components, etc.) so that you don't have a lot of downtime when you do the work. Also, RE-USE ALL INTERIOR COMPONENTS THAT YOU POSSIBLY CAN to save you tons of money. Unless the piece is irrepairably damaged, you can patch, clean, and re-dye your existing interior parts and make them look like new. New parts will not fit as well as your originals. Get a pint of SEM "Color Coat" vinyl dye to match your interior color code and a gas/bottle sprayer (if you don't have spray equipment). Works like a charm. If you don't have to replace interior parts, you can do the entire interior for the cost of "elbow grease" and less than $500...and that includes the new carpet!
So, you need to think through this whole process and obtain any parts (bulbs, wiring, hoses, components, etc.) so that you don't have a lot of downtime when you do the work. Also, RE-USE ALL INTERIOR COMPONENTS THAT YOU POSSIBLY CAN to save you tons of money. Unless the piece is irrepairably damaged, you can patch, clean, and re-dye your existing interior parts and make them look like new. New parts will not fit as well as your originals. Get a pint of SEM "Color Coat" vinyl dye to match your interior color code and a gas/bottle sprayer (if you don't have spray equipment). Works like a charm. If you don't have to replace interior parts, you can do the entire interior for the cost of "elbow grease" and less than $500...and that includes the new carpet!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 708
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Don't forget the simple green
Any hard parts on the interior can be cleaned with diluted Simple Green.
Try cleaning them before buying new. You may be pleasantly surprised at the results.
Also, you can use the Simple Green diluted to clean the wiring harnesses and vaccum hoses while in there. A little hint is to cut about a 1/4" off the ends of the vac hoses to allow for a better seal on the vac nubs instead of buying new hoses.
Absolutely agree with checking the rear vent drains. I owned 5 C3s in the past and every one of them except the 1980 (ordered new) cracked and leaked into the interior!
Try cleaning them before buying new. You may be pleasantly surprised at the results.
Also, you can use the Simple Green diluted to clean the wiring harnesses and vaccum hoses while in there. A little hint is to cut about a 1/4" off the ends of the vac hoses to allow for a better seal on the vac nubs instead of buying new hoses.
Absolutely agree with checking the rear vent drains. I owned 5 C3s in the past and every one of them except the 1980 (ordered new) cracked and leaked into the interior!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
with all of the above. How is the condition of your carpets? I used Vinyl & Fabric dye on my sun faded carpet. The original carpet was in very good condition and it seemen a waste of money to replace it. Now it looks brand new and is not stiff feeling. Here's some pics of before & after and the best part is it cost 7.95!Glenn
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 222
From: Sherman CT
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
St. Jude Donor '24-'25-'26
this article from super chevy magazine may help, its 4 pages about a 1972 interior restoration, hope it helps
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...ior/index.html
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...ior/index.html
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
this article from super chevy magazine may help, its 4 pages about a 1972 interior restoration, hope it helps
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...ior/index.html
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...ior/index.html
