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I have a Black on Black Z06 and have gotten a bit tired of the all black interior. Soooo, I decided to grab a few old door panels and go about creating my own version of a mod red interior. Pics are below.
Before:
AFTER:
Partial Complete:
The logo is embroidered into the red vinyl. Still working on the Glove box. Bolster is almost finished, just have to bond the plastic back together.
Oh, here is a pic of the partion that I built that started it all.
Those speaker grills are about the easiest thing to remove once the panel is off the door. Before painting remove the Bose emblem (again so simple you would be amazed) and the black backing cloth.
I painted the speaker with Duplicolor Torch Red. The prep is the important part. I first scubbed them with a brush and Dawn dishwashing soap. Rinsed them well and let them dry in the sun. Next I used something called Liquid Sandpaper, it is available at Home Depot or Lowes in the paint department. I then rinsed all the liquid sandpaper off and let it dry again in the sun. Primed with light grey auto primer. The key is very, very light mist coats so that yuo don't build up so much paint that the holes become closed up. For the primer all you want is to get a uniform light color and light coverage to bond the paint to. Then I sprayed the Duplicolor, again in mist coats. I spent several hours painting the color because I did it in such light coats. Then let it sit for a few days before handling.
The lower door panel has to be "broken" free from the upper. Once that is done it is a real pain in the a$$ to get the old material off. Lots of patience and lots of razor blades. Kind of like skinning a cat.
Once free the rest is just upholstery technique. I learned a lot of this growing up since my grandfather and father both had shops.
The embroidery was done by a local shop. It wasn't real cheap because of the artwork, but that is complete now.
I recommend getting a second set of door panels if you want to do it.
I used "regular" vinyl because the "heat shrink" variety is way too thin for the embroidery work. Although there was still some heating and a bit of working to get it formed. The first one was the pain, the second was easier and I expect my 3rd and 4th will be much easier. Getting the technique down now.
Unfortunately the Bose emblems are nested in an indentation that looks out of place without something. Wonder if I can get a "Z06" laser cut to fit, hmmmmmm.
Those speaker grills are about the easiest thing to remove once the panel is off the door. Before painting remove the Bose emblem (again so simple you would be amazed) and the black backing cloth.
I painted the speaker with Duplicolor Torch Red. The prep is the important part. I first scubbed them with a brush and Dawn dishwashing soap. Rinsed them well and let them dry in the sun. Next I used something called Liquid Sandpaper, it is available at Home Depot or Lowes in the paint department. I then rinsed all the liquid sandpaper off and let it dry again in the sun. Primed with light grey auto primer. The key is very, very light mist coats so that yuo don't build up so much paint that the holes become closed up. For the primer all you want is to get a uniform light color and light coverage to bond the paint to. Then I sprayed the Duplicolor, again in mist coats. I spent several hours painting the color because I did it in such light coats. Then let it sit for a few days before handling.
The lower door panel has to be "broken" free from the upper. Once that is done it is a real pain in the a$$ to get the old material off. Lots of patience and lots of razor blades. Kind of like skinning a cat.
Once free the rest is just upholstery technique. I learned a lot of this growing up since my grandfather and father both had shops.
The embroidery was done by a local shop. It wasn't real cheap because of the artwork, but that is complete now.
I recommend getting a second set of door panels if you want to do it.
I used "regular" vinyl because the "heat shrink" variety is way too thin for the embroidery work. Although there was still some heating and a bit of working to get it formed. The first one was the pain, the second was easier and I expect my 3rd and 4th will be much easier. Getting the technique down now.
Unfortunately the Bose emblems are nested in an indentation that looks out of place without something. Wonder if I can get a "Z06" laser cut to fit, hmmmmmm.
You crack me up, you make it sound so simple. If I tried this it would look like Homer Simpson was let loose in a leather shop. That is some great work. Good job.