Well after reading all the posts on the Homelink visor install I got a Homelink rolling code model off eBay for $25.
Tested it and programmed it........all fine so far.
Thought about installing it in the kick panel or the carpet next to the console as I didn't want to cut open my visor. Problem here was getting matching spray paint for the button trim panel.....SEM or Corvette America about $30+ shipped plus the wait time
So today I figured what the hell I will just do the visor like everyone else After I got the visor off I thought, maybe I better find someone to sew it up first.
So I went to the local auto upholstery shop........what a shock. The guy took a look at the visor and said "about $80.00" I said that seemed very high for a 24" seam.....he replies that they might break a needle and it would cost them more than $80 to replace and "realign" the sewing machine........so I left another shop I will never use again! Then went to a local upholstery shop we have used several times for furniture. He says, nope, we don't so that and referred me to the guy who wanted $80. another shop I will never use again!
Next I called two more auto upholstery shops......one said $50, the other said $30+
I had read many posts that commented that they paid from 0 to !0 bucks for the sew up so that was what I had in mind. Guess that even with business closings all around and unemployment in Oregon well over 10% hasn't impacted our local upholstery shops.
I guess I will call some shoe repair shops next.

 

I don't buy that needle breaking BS. They are trying to squeeze money out of you.

 

Yeah, big time.
I would think breaking a needle would be difficult on these visors.

 

I was charged $20 and thought that was a little extreme for the 2-3 minutes of sewing it took!

 

I agree, but at this point $20 looks like a good deal

 

Hi JP,
Rick from vettemods here. I can tell you that stitching these things up is the hardest part of the mod! Not sure how the DIYers do it at home!

When we started offering the HomeLink mod we looked into having the work out sourced to an upholstry shop and were quoted $30 and up. I had a few done to see what the quality would look like and it was terrible, the seem was not even and the stitch length did not match the factory. We wound up purchasing an industrial grade sewing machine and do them in house. It is still a pain to get it done correctly, and we have broken a few needles over the years I would bet the bulk of that cost wuoted is "insurance" in case they screw the visor up and have to redo or replace it because when everything goes well it takes just a few minutes.

Anyway, if you want to take a few pics and send them to me I may be able to help you out, I just need to see how you installed it first.

 

Rick,

Thanks for the offer.
I have not installed the HL in the visor as yet because I have yet to locate someone to sew it up at a reasonable cost. Until I do I will not cut the visor open and do the install.
I have noted in several posts of the DIY install that some have poor stiching and that is a concern of mine as well.
The alternate mount locations are looking better and better to me.

Jim

 

I guess, I'd mount it in the kick panel and call it a day

 

that's ridiculous. I took mine to a shop near me in plano, and the guy took it back there real quick, sewed it up, and didn't charge me a dime. I offered to pay him something and he said no. It literally took him like 2 minutes. I had never been there before, didn't know the guy or anything, he was just a nice person.

Maybe you can find someone who does sewing around the area... some lady who does it out of her home or something? it's ridiculously easy for someone with a sewing machine.

 

Well we have two sewing machines at home.........but you need an upholstery sewing machine to deal with the thickness involved.
You were lucky to find a friendly upholstery guy....... Pretty sure if I still lived in Houston I would be able to find someone reasonable and helpful.

 

Perhaps, I will pull it tomorrow and take a look. But it may be too thick for the trim piece to connect to the main HL module

 

I've seen someone install it next to the console. I don't remember who, and the thread where the pic was was not about the Homelink install.

 

Yep, I saw that one as well.....it was installed behind the carpet just below the console's lower edge....right ?

I tested mine there and it did work OK, just loses some range when they are that low in the car. Limited to about one house away.

 

I was careful enough removing the stitching that I was able to use super glue on the visor. It looks completely unmolested.

 

Interesting.......except that it is missing the stitching......right ?

 

My guys just stitched up 3 one for a Vette, one for my 55 Chevy and one for Roadrunner. I forced him to take $20 for all three.

Send it to me I'll have it stitched up for ya.

 

Resew the thing yourself! With a $1.19 needle and .99 roll of thread from WalMart I did my own while watching TV. Took about an hour as I wanted it to look perfect but for the cost savings, it was worth it. Oh, buy a thimble as you will poke your finger at least once.

And be ready as if your wife sees you sewing something she will make fun of you...mine did!

 

I installed mine myself and my local upholestry shop charged me $10 to sew it back up!Maybe they got their stimulus check first!

 

If you find a lady in the area who sews they can do it...my wife did mine Monday with her regular sewing machine. I was going to find someone with an upholstery machine, but she said "I can do that on my machine", so I let her and it worked fine.

 

I don't think I have the patience for sewing anymore........