81 C3 Mini Interior Restoration Thread
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81 C3 Mini Interior Restoration Thread
Hey guys, haven't posted too much on the forums after recently becoming a vette owner! figured i would post some pics of my current progress with refreshing the interior! doing the best i can on a budget, so far im happy with the results! (tons of work left to do), i will keep updating as i go.
Heres the vette
Interior prior, decent but definitely needs an update.
door panel comes off
seat out
carpet up, exposed a bunch of rust and crusties.
cleaned up crap, prepped for rust inhibitor and heat insulation.
Seat cleaned, degreased, taped off. ready for SEM dye
Sprayed
Seat Shell sanded,degreased,painted
Door panel. Carpeting sprayed with duplicolor fabric dye. panel about to be sprayed with SEM.
sprayed and cleaned up.. i think it looks great so far
Currently dyeing misc, interior pieces, and pulling the rear carpet...about to install insulation.
Brand new black carpet has already been delivered... hope to be all installed in a few weeks in time for spring!
any input is appreciated.. again im young and on a budget!
Heres the vette
Interior prior, decent but definitely needs an update.
door panel comes off
seat out
carpet up, exposed a bunch of rust and crusties.
cleaned up crap, prepped for rust inhibitor and heat insulation.
Seat cleaned, degreased, taped off. ready for SEM dye
Sprayed
Seat Shell sanded,degreased,painted
Door panel. Carpeting sprayed with duplicolor fabric dye. panel about to be sprayed with SEM.
sprayed and cleaned up.. i think it looks great so far
Currently dyeing misc, interior pieces, and pulling the rear carpet...about to install insulation.
Brand new black carpet has already been delivered... hope to be all installed in a few weeks in time for spring!
any input is appreciated.. again im young and on a budget!
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Thanks guys! Have so much to do on the interior but theres 2 feet of snow outside and the garage is packed!!! Its a repaint was done by the previous owner "Garnet red"..... 5757!! This one was made in Bowling Green plant too!
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picked up a little goodie. 3m Carbon Fiber dash kit (some of you may not like this but the existing OEM trim is a little rough and i think this will add a little bit of a subtle flash to the interior) Weave looks deep and shifts when you move it. probably wont put this in till last.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 844
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From: Fort Wayne, IN
you're doing a great job so far! Looking forward to the end product.
Once you get the carpets in, you can really get an idea of how it's going to look, and it boosts confidence because it looks so good.
I'm about finished with my interior (first timer as well), and you can see for yourself how much better it looks with new and refurbed parts.
I'm proud of myself because I did it myself.
before:
After:
Once you get the carpets in, you can really get an idea of how it's going to look, and it boosts confidence because it looks so good.
I'm about finished with my interior (first timer as well), and you can see for yourself how much better it looks with new and refurbed parts.
I'm proud of myself because I did it myself.
before:
After:
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wow! love it 
, cannot wait till i get the carpet in, going to work on it this weekend... was it difficult to get it fit nicely? in the back especially.
, cannot wait till i get the carpet in, going to work on it this weekend... was it difficult to get it fit nicely? in the back especially.
Last edited by InvertedHorizons; Feb 24, 2013 at 05:36 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne, IN
no, just do a few test fits and you should be fine. I got my carpet kit from Willcox here on the forum, and from what I've heard (as well as my experience), you cant go wrong with them.
It wasn't really difficult, mostly just tedious.
i think i did about 6 test fits each side after I installed the insulation (maybe a little overkill, but I wanted to get it right the first time). The first two were to make sure the wheel wells were on the correct sides. Once to find and cut the seat belt anchor hole, took it out, then refit just to make sure it was in the right spot (make sure it didn't move as I was cutting). Repeated those two fits to make sure I cut the ttop anchor hole right. Then committed with the spray adhesive. The worst part was having to work in that small area.
As you can see, it turned out pretty good fo my first installation.
It wasn't really difficult, mostly just tedious.
i think i did about 6 test fits each side after I installed the insulation (maybe a little overkill, but I wanted to get it right the first time). The first two were to make sure the wheel wells were on the correct sides. Once to find and cut the seat belt anchor hole, took it out, then refit just to make sure it was in the right spot (make sure it didn't move as I was cutting). Repeated those two fits to make sure I cut the ttop anchor hole right. Then committed with the spray adhesive. The worst part was having to work in that small area.
As you can see, it turned out pretty good fo my first installation.
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oh it looks like it fits pretty good!, the kit i ordered is all one piece i just have to cut out the compartment door holes... looks like a pain in the butt.. ill keep you posted hhaha
Last edited by InvertedHorizons; Feb 24, 2013 at 05:35 PM.
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got a tiny bit done today, cleaned up some pieces and sprayed the T-Tops with the SEM spray (this dye works wonders) before:
after, still drying, a little touch up and some cleaning and will look like OEM perfect
after, still drying, a little touch up and some cleaning and will look like OEM perfect
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Got a few things done today:
Removed the Cargo tray / doors from the old carpet,
old stinky carpet
Ripped up carpet, preparing for light coat of undercoat.
Test fit new carpet... its pretty lumpy and looks like its gonna be a pain in the butt to get in properly. Used chalk to get a rough idea of the hole for the cargo area.
Quick spray of the cargo tray with SEM, will do a few more coats. will look good when its together ;]
Coat of Undercoating on the floor to seal it up nice and maybe add an extra element of sound / heat barrier.... will be putting Reflectix insulation on top of this for extra heat protection.
Also threw the door panel back on... i think it came out nice
very slow process.. bit off a little more than i can chew before spring! but im getting there and taking my time! will keep everybody posted
Removed the Cargo tray / doors from the old carpet,
old stinky carpet
Ripped up carpet, preparing for light coat of undercoat.
Test fit new carpet... its pretty lumpy and looks like its gonna be a pain in the butt to get in properly. Used chalk to get a rough idea of the hole for the cargo area.
Quick spray of the cargo tray with SEM, will do a few more coats. will look good when its together ;]
Coat of Undercoating on the floor to seal it up nice and maybe add an extra element of sound / heat barrier.... will be putting Reflectix insulation on top of this for extra heat protection.
Also threw the door panel back on... i think it came out nice
very slow process.. bit off a little more than i can chew before spring! but im getting there and taking my time! will keep everybody posted
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Got some things accomplished today!
Spray adhesive for the carpeting on the battery / storage doors.
Carpeting on, cleaned up.. was a pain to trim this to fit.
Cutting the hole in the carpet for the storage doors.. really annoyed i cut a little too much on the lower right side of the picture by the battery.. going to have to patch it from behind with some scrap carpet. you cant really see it but its not perfect
Tray laid in.
Speaker covers back on.
Laying some additional heat insulation.
Carpeting in, seatbelt clasp in.
Sprayed some of the T-Top plastics.
Hopefully going to get the passanger seat in and trim back in, and then all i have to do is work on the drivers side carpet / seat / door
Spray adhesive for the carpeting on the battery / storage doors.
Carpeting on, cleaned up.. was a pain to trim this to fit.
Cutting the hole in the carpet for the storage doors.. really annoyed i cut a little too much on the lower right side of the picture by the battery.. going to have to patch it from behind with some scrap carpet. you cant really see it but its not perfect
Tray laid in.
Speaker covers back on.
Laying some additional heat insulation.
Carpeting in, seatbelt clasp in.
Sprayed some of the T-Top plastics.
Hopefully going to get the passanger seat in and trim back in, and then all i have to do is work on the drivers side carpet / seat / door
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