Does anyone have a pattern for a radio bezel, I have a chance to pick up some leather and was wondering if anyone has ever done a pattern?

 

Not seen anyone mention that here on the forum. I'd imagine some of the vendors that wrap interior pieces in leather would have one but kind of doubt they would want to supply you with a copy. You can always ask though. An option might be to buy some cheap vinyl and make your own pattern - that way you can use the vinyl to cut the leather to shape.

 

Yes, was thinking the same thing, but thought no harm trying.

 

A while back I posted that I did mine myself. I found a local store that stocked what I needed, a couple of yards black leather and a large can of contact cement. Heat gun is advisible to have. It was not easy and took a few weekends of trial fitting and removing and regluing. It eventually came out quite good but it took a lot perserverance to complete. I did it after Dennis of DDMods modified mine for a new radio. I also did the console between the seats too to complete the whole length of the console. There is no way I could have made a pattern because it was all trial and error. I suspect that an expert trimmer doesn't use a pattern either and just does it by hand and expertise.

 

That's the same thing I'm trying, did the console between the seats, lower dash pad, glove box door (Redline Leather) but Redline (Mike) does not have any plans to do radio bezel. So my thought is to do it in the same leather seeing that Mike will sell me the same leather he used for all other so I can get a good match. Do you happen to remember how much material you used, and how did you do any piecing (stitching), or did you do one piece application?
Any help will be appreciated

 

I did my bezel on my Z with perforated black vinyl. I didn't do leather because I was sure it would be near impossible. I believe mine was the inspiration for Striper's. I did have one sewn area that my wife helped me with. As I was gluing it down an edge of the seam separated, but it was too late. Luckily the locations was not out in the open. IF I do it again, I will make a pattern and fit it better. I'm looking at Redlines Kit which leaves out the radio bezel, but I will do something with it once the rest is settled. I have Redlines samples on the way now.

 

Their leather is very nice quality with patients the end result is very good. As I have mentioned before the last part of the interior I will do is the radio bezel, I to, have installed a DD from Dennis. The plan to do a little work on it before I wrap it, increase the rib thickness above the HVAC control module to get some additional grip for the leather, at the same time I think it may look a little better, it should even out some of that opening.
But, with the good weather this project goes on hold until next winter winter

 

First let me say that chasboy absolutely was my inspiration to cover my console. His came out great so when I got my bezel from Dennis I decided I could make it look better. BTW, I have a friend who lives nearby. He is considered one of the top custom trimmers in the nation, so I went to him for some tips, however I still did it myself. He's way too expensive. If you try it you will not be able to do it without a cut somewhere or stitching, it's just got too many complex curves. I made a cut in a hidden area near your driver's knee. I just did as neat as possible with as thin a cut as possible so it wouldn't be visible. It takes a lot of stretching and a lot of heat. You have to develop a feel for that so that you don't melt anything. Leave excess to wrap around corners and edges so nothing pulls up. Take your time, it took me a few weeks to finish it. The console for the armrest is much easier. That can easily be done in one piece with no seams or cutting, which is probably why Redline offers that piece but not the bezel. I wanted them to do a dash kit. Mike told me they'd do a prototype for me if I'd buy a used dash to work from.

 

Jeff, says you had a seam or 2 on the radio bezel? where did you place them, and were they sewn? I'm still up in the air with mine because until I have Mike's samples, I don't know what color/material i would use. My first attempt resulted in a 'paper' pattern that was nearly worthless, but it did help somewhat. from there I 'went for it', since I had already had success with the easier shapes. My wife had a little trouble sewing the vinyl, but I think we will experiment first. If I use alcantara, that might make the whole thing a lot easier. I'm trying to bring another color(s) into the interior that will go with the pewter paint.
Dont want too flashy tho.

 

On the driver's knee area I needed to make a cut because you can't get it to stretch enough to lay down and wrap over the edges, more explainable when you are actually doing it. So I made a cut which allowed a v-shaped area that needed to be filled. I then cut and pieced in a triangular piece to fill the space and made as precise a fitting as possible so that you wouldn't see the cuts. It came out very good but now I might re-do it because it has shrunk slightly. And then again I might not, nobody ever notices it and just remarks at how nice it looks.

 

I'm now at a point that the radio bezel looks dull,

almost shabby. Im going to match what I already have from Redline on the knee panel and glove compartment door, im thinking about black di-noc on the bezel, door handle surrounds, and a couple of other hard surfaces.

 

I think before you cover your radio bezel, you should do a DoubleD conversion. Even if you respond that you aren't interested, if you do it you will be happy that you did. All the modern features it adds to your car make it feel like you have a new car. The back up camera being built in alone is a great thing to have, plus the SAT radio. Judging from the alcantara used on my console lid and the accents of same in regular driver, I think it might be easier to work with than leather or vinyl. But be careful because I have read that there are grades of alcantara that are not suitable for automotive use.

 

I understand, and have thought about a more modern media. Did you have DD do the work, or did you do it?

 

My main (and it's a big one) concern about changing to a new head unit is the terrible experience I had with the VERY high end Alpine system that the PO installed in my Challenger. Took me almost a year to get it right, and even then I'd rather have had the stock unit. The only thing I'd really like is nav, and I do have a Garmin.