Do-it-yourself dashboard repair without removal

If you are planning to change the interior design of your car, then you cannot do without reupholstering the front panel, or, as they call it in everyday life, the dashboard. You can choose a new color scheme and texture for it. Or you can use materials similar to the previous ones and only slightly refresh the scratched and worn-out coating. Many motorists do not risk re-tightening the panel with their own hands for fear of ruining the appearance of the interior. However, the biggest difficulty in this process is deciding to start work. In addition, if you already have experience in reupholstering other interior elements, this task will not cause you any difficulties either.

What is dashboard tuning like?

Tuning this element of the car can be conditionally classified as either functional improvements or aesthetic ones. Often, motorists who are thinking about improving their car dashboard have both goals and want to make the panel both more beautiful and more functional.

A rather complex but interesting process of tuning the dashboard in detail:

Functional tuning is primarily aimed at either replacing vehicle controls or instruments with more advanced analogues, or simply involves adding additional instruments or controls. The main goal of such tuning is to improve the quality of obtaining information about the condition of the car or about weather or other conditions outside. Aesthetic tuning, in turn, is aimed solely at improving the appearance of the dashboard. Naturally, such improvements can be made even at the expense of functionality, which does not always have a good effect on the car, but if a person wants to do something with his car, it is difficult to stop him.

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Europanels for VAZ-2114

European-style shields appeared on the domestic automotive market relatively recently. Despite this, they were very quickly able to gain the trust of many car enthusiasts. The main reasons for this are the stylish appearance and the ability to mount this version of tuning the VAZ-2114 torpedo without the risk of damaging the windshield wiper blades.

The main reason for the high demand for panels among domestic buyers is the material from which they are made. Standard factory shields are made of soft plastic that is unpleasant to the touch, which begins to rattle in the near future. The European standard panel is made of softer material, which looks much more attractive. Positive emotions are also caused by the ventilation of the interior space of the cabin with such a product.

Difficulties of functional tuning

Often, functional tuning is limited only to replacing older or faulty car devices with newer and more modern ones. However, we should not forget that functional tuning also includes the installation of additional vehicle control elements such as an immobilizer, on-board computer or built-in additional devices. The main problem with such modification is not so much the choice of components as their proper installation. Most often, novice tuning enthusiasts who want to carry out such an installation at home will have to face such a problem as difficulties in calibrating devices. Imagine that the speedometer will show an inadequate speed of the car or the fuel gauge will deceive you at the most inopportune moment.

Separately, it is necessary to say about such a point as the legality of modifications. That is, if the design of the car provides for a speedometer or tachometer of the exact model that is installed at the factory, it will be quite difficult to explain its replacement during maintenance. Therefore, it is better to carry out aesthetic tuning of devices that have already been installed on the car, and place additional ones either on top of the dashboard or in those places that are still free. Aesthetic question

When carrying out aesthetic tuning, you need to carefully plan everything, because you will need no less skills than when carrying out a functional improvement of the dashboard, and in addition to it you will also need an excellent sense of taste. If you yourself know what you want, all that remains is to prepare the necessary materials and elements, and we’ll talk about this a little later, but if you don’t have a clear plan, then it’s worth developing it in advance.

First of all, look for inspiration on car forums or ask for advice from motorist friends who have tuned their cars. Naturally, each person has his own taste, but someone’s ready-made improvements may well lead you to an interesting solution that you can later implement. In addition, knowing what you want to achieve with your car, you can easily select the necessary materials and apply certain solutions related to the manufacture of elements necessary for tuning.

Demand for color

Designers advise painting the dashboard in the same color as the interior, choosing a slightly lighter shade. This reduces the strain on the driver's eyes. To make the interior of the cabin original, you can use one of the current colors: anthracite (charcoal color with a dusty effect) or titanium (golden hue with matte or dazzling glossy effects).

Repairing a car dashboard using “liquid rubber” paint is popular. When dry, this composition forms a smooth, rich matte surface, pleasant to the touch and resistant to negative influences.

Why do you need to reupholster your car dashboard?

The front panel of the car is always open. Many drivers use it as a table. Therefore, the surface wears out over time, and the former gloss disappears. Ultraviolet rays do not spare plastic, which is why cracks appear. And after a strong frontal accident, holes gape in the panel from deployed airbags. To bring back aesthetics to the interior, you can reupholster the car dashboard with your own hands.

Even if the panel is in good condition, a change in style, i.e. tuning, will create a new atmosphere in the cabin. Here you can combine colors at your discretion. Emphasize the accents of the body color, or refer to the brand colors of the car brand. For example, black, white and blue BMW, yellow and red Ferrari, white and green Land Rover and others.

Interior tuning

For reference. Don't be tempted to use the material for furniture. It's cheaper, but not suitable at all. For cars, a special structure of matter is used that can withstand severe temperature changes without any consequences.

Pros and cons of leather interior

When, depending on the life of the car, you need to undergo technical inspection
. A variety of materials are used for the interior interior of modern cars, but leather interior has always been and is considered the most prestigious and expensive, especially when imported leather is used for upholstery of seats and other elements. The advantages of a leather interior include:

high resistance of the material to abrasion;
good skin resistance to mechanical damage;
resistance of the material to dirt.

Leather does not absorb odors, it is very easy to wash off dirt and dust, and it is not so easy to burn it with cigarette ash. But this material also has disadvantages:

in hot weather, leather seats get very hot, and in cold weather they cool down;
The cost of reupholstering, even with your own hands, is not cheap.

Adjusting the brightness of the backlight

Most often, to adjust the brightness of the backlight located behind the device, you need to assemble it, but if something does not suit the brightness, the device will need to be disassembled and adjusted again. In order to avoid wasting time on such actions, we advise you to connect the backlight through a variable rheostat, which can be used to control the intensity of the glow by simply turning it up. Naturally, it is best to carry out the adjustment 3 times - during the day, at dusk and at night, to understand whether it is convenient to look at the devices.

Re-upholstery is the very essence of the work

If you are thinking of tuning a VAZ 2115 with your own hands, then you should be patient. Reupholstering the interior begins with small parts with a small area (side pillars, roof pillars). They will gain a little experience, which will be useful later. The fact is that patterns are not needed here, which cannot be said about the console, the dashboard itself.

Comprehensive tuning

Quite often, motorists who improve their dashboard with their own hands modify several instruments at once or the overall lighting of the dashboard to make it look more stylish. In this case, it is better to prepare in advance the same templates for the instrument scales and the same color LED backlights. In the same case, if you do not have access to LEDs of the desired color, you can get by with ordinary white LEDs and simply stick a translucent film of the desired color to the desired places. This film will be a regular light filter, and you will achieve the same effect as when using LEDs of different colors.

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Instrument arrows

Another element of a car dashboard that is easy to improve yourself is the arrows of the measuring instruments. As many car enthusiasts have noticed, in the factory configuration the car panel is very similar to a parody of a parrot:

heating device backlight – yellow;
green buttons;
all indicators are orange.

Quite often, such a diverse range of colors interferes with comfortable movement at night, because they all merge into one obscure color. At the same time, it is quite difficult to notice the instrument arrows. To improve the situation, tune the torpedo on the VAZ-2114 by installing red LEDs.

To do this, carefully disassemble the VAZ-2114 instrument panel. Place one LED under each of the arrows and put on special heat shrinks. Lead the wires of each of the devices outside the panel, and then connect them to the heater wiring. Upon completion of work, reassemble the shield in the reverse order.

Tuning techniques

To successfully complete any modification to a car or its dashboard, you need to know a few simple techniques that will allow you to perform the necessary actions. We have already talked about how to properly stick tint film, and these are the same techniques that are used when gluing translucent films to the back of the device display with slots so that the divisions and numbers glow with the right light. Another no less interesting technique is the use of fluorescent paints to paint the needle or scale divisions of the device. To apply this paint evenly, it is enough to use either a simple template over which you can safely paint, or simply carefully apply it with a thin brush. Also, do not forget about the need to correctly calibrate the pointer after removing it, because an incorrectly calibrated device is a very serious problem that can only be solved in a service center.

In what cases can glass repairs not be carried out?

Before telling you about the process of windshield repair, it is worth saying in which cases the windshield is completely beyond repair. Of course, it is almost always possible to cope with this or that damage, but there is a certain point of the rules, on the basis of which the damaged windshield must be replaced with a new one, or with any other one that can be used in connection with this point of the rules.

So, repairing chips on the windshield and repairing it are, in principle, not possible if the diameter of the damage is more than 5 mm. In this case, you need to replace the windshield with a new one, since driving such a vehicle is prohibited by law. The second situation, in which you also need to replace the windshield, is characterized by the fact that the damage is less than 10 cm from the edge of the glass. And of course, the windshield should be replaced if the damage on it falls into the driver’s field of vision, and therefore interferes with normal visibility.

Do-it-yourself car torpedo reupholstery

Reupholstering the front panel begins with its dismantling. This is a rather labor-intensive process. In addition, the pattern of fasteners and clamps is not the same on different car models. There are a large number of wires connected to the panel, and if you are afraid of damaging them, contact a car service center for help.

If you want to do this yourself, do not neglect the car’s operating instructions: all parts and fasteners are described in detail there. Removing a torpedo always begins with disconnecting the battery terminals. Once you have de-energized your car, you can begin dismantling.

Before you start reupholstering the panel, it should be dismantled

Video: how to remove a torpedo

As a rule, dismantling the steering wheel takes longer than reupholstering itself. Be careful and remember to disconnect any wires you encounter.

Tools

In order to retighten the torpedo, you will need the following tools:

set of screwdrivers for dismantling;
sandpaper (both coarse and fine grain);
degreaser;
antistatic cloth;
self-adhesive interlining or masking tape;
marker;
sharp tailor's scissors;
roller or spatula with a plastic sheet;
a sewing machine with a foot and a leather needle (if you chose this material);
special glue for leather (or the material you are using);
hair dryer (preferably a construction hair dryer);
material for upholstery.

Preparatory stage

When the torpedo is dismantled, it is necessary to prepare it for reupholstery with new material. This is done as follows.

The part is degreased with a special product. It is not recommended to use acetone-based products for this.
The surface over the entire area is sanded first with coarse-grained sandpaper, and then with an abrasive with a finer grain.
The remaining dust after sanding is removed with an antistatic cloth.

If the case is severely damaged, you can putty the panel using a special compound for plastic. After the surface has completely dried, you can begin making patterns and reupholstering the part.

Your further actions will depend on the shape of the panel. If it is quite simple, with right angles and unexpressed bends, you can try to cover the torpedo with a single piece of material. But if the shape is complex and has many curves, you need to make a cover in advance. Otherwise, the coating will form wrinkles.

The cover is made as follows:

Cover the surface of the panel with transparent non-woven film or masking tape
Carefully inspect the shape of the part. All sharp breaks must be outlined with a marker over the film (adhesive tape). At this stage, you mark the locations of your future seams. Don't make too many of them: it can ruin the appearance of the panel.
Remove the film from the torpedo and lay it on the material from the wrong side. Transfer the contours of the parts, paying attention to the seams. Do not forget about an increase of 10 mm on each side of the part. This will be needed when stitching.
Carefully cut out the parts.
Attach the parts to the control panel. Make sure the dimensions and shape match.
Sew the pieces along the seams.

If you don't have a suitable sewing machine, you can go a slightly different route and glue the parts directly onto the surface of the panel. But in this case, you should act especially carefully: this approach is dangerous due to the appearance of gaps at the joints. If you fail to properly stretch and lay the material, it will come apart and peel off from the dashboard.

Making a cover for the front panel

To sew together pieces of material, use specialized threads for natural and artificial leather. They are quite strong and elastic, so the seams will not tear or become deformed.

Constriction technology

If you decide to reupholster the panel with a single piece of material, get ready for painstaking work.

First of all, apply special glue to the surface. You need to wait a while for the composition to dry, but do not dry it completely.
Place the material against the top edge of the panel and press lightly.
To replicate the shape of a torpedo, the skin needs to be warmed with a hairdryer and stretched. Do this as carefully as possible so as not to damage the material.
Before pressing the material firmly to the surface, make sure it has taken the desired shape. This approach is convenient when working with deep pits and holes: first stretch the skin, and only then fix the edges.
In the process of leveling the surface, you can help yourself with rollers or plastic spatulas.
Fold the edges inward and glue them. Cut off the excess.

carefully stretch and straighten folds when re-tying with a single piece of material

Video: how to reupholster a panel with a single piece of material

If you have prepared the case in advance, the reupholstery process will go much faster and easier. You will just need to attach the workpiece to the surface with glue, make sure that all the bends are in place, and then press and smooth the surface.

Video: useful tips for correctly covering panel parts

The cost of reupholstering the front panel of a car yourself

The amount you spend on reupholstering a torpedo directly depends on the cost of the material. The average price for high-quality natural perforated leather is about 3 thousand rubles per linear meter. A standard size panel will take no more than two meters.

Eco-leather is already much cheaper: it can be found for around 700 rubles, although there are more expensive options. The price of vinyl film ranges from 300–600 rubles, depending on the type and quality. As for Alcantara, its cost is comparable to genuine leather, so you won’t be able to save on artificial suede.

High-quality high-temperature glue will cost you 1.5 thousand rubles per jar. We do not recommend using cheap superglue or Moment glue: you will be bothered by an intrusive smell, and the coating itself will deteriorate if the car heats up too much. Threads for leather products are sold at a price of 400 rubles per spool. Let's assume that you already have a hair dryer and a sewing machine at home, which means there will be no additional expenses for equipment.

Thus, we receive from 1.5 to 7 thousand rubles for the material, plus 2 thousand for consumables. As you can see, even when choosing expensive leather, you can spend 10 thousand rubles. In the salon, the price tag for this procedure starts from 50 thousand rubles.

The process of re-upholstering a car dashboard with your own hands has many nuances. However, the difference in price between do-it-yourself work and the service of a car workshop is so great that you can spend time studying the instructions, and then on the reupholstery itself. In addition, it will not take much time: the panel can be dismantled in 1.5–2 hours. It will take the same amount of time to reupholster. And if you find an assistant, then things will go much faster.

A car's dashboard or dashboard is a panel located in the front section of the cabin that houses instruments, controls and a steering wheel. It is made from high density plastics.

A torpedo in a car is damaged as a result of an accident, from constant contact with the hands of the driver and passengers, or from various objects that are carelessly thrown at it. If the front panel of the car has lost its appearance, it can be replaced or restored. These parts are expensive at salvage yards and in stores; moreover, it is not always possible to select suitable components for older car models. There are several methods used to restore the instrument panel with your own hands, let's look at them and dwell in detail on the most popular option - painting.

Important points

If the folds of leather formed on the cover after putting it on the dashboard cannot be smoothed out with your hands, you should use a rag soaked in hot water. To avoid burning your hands, this operation should be performed only with thick rubber gloves;
Care should be taken to ensure that drops of glue do not fall on the front side of the leather. If this happens, you need to let the drop dry and carefully cut it off with a knife. And the stain remaining on the skin can be erased with a regular eraser.

So, all a car enthusiast needs to re-tighten a dashboard is patience. The only difficulty may arise at the stage of stitching the fragments, especially if the car owner has little idea how to work with a sewing machine. If this is so, then before working with leather, it is worth practicing on ordinary matter.

Copywriter with five years of experience.

The best materials for reupholstery

The Russian car accessories market offers an abundance of materials for reupholstering dashboards and car door panels. Here you can find modest styles with a rubber or synthetic base, which are identical to the previous coating. And there are luxurious canvases made of genuine leather. It is better to entrust working with such material to a specialist; cutting and sewing skills will be required. In any case, the car owner will have plenty to choose from. Here is a list of the most popular materials for car panel reupholstery:

Genuine Leather;
vinyl;
eco leather;
Alcantara;
carpet;
flock

Make your choice responsibly. After all, the front panel is visible. It says a lot about the owner of the car. About his character. About taste.

Genuine Leather

An ideal material for decorating the interior of luxury or premium cars. The fiber structure is strong. Temperature changes are absolutely indifferent to them. The surface is resistant to mechanical damage, but only if treated with care. Of course, you can scratch the skin with the same nail or other sharp object.

Covering the torpedo with leather

The material is easy to clean and retains its luxurious appearance for a long time. The sun's rays are not harmful to natural leather. To care for the surface, you will have to buy moisturizing compounds and various cleaners. If you are determined to reupholster your car's dashboard with leather, then experts recommend having it done in a specialized workshop. Then the appearance will really be chic.

Vinyl

A very interesting synthetic material. It includes:

polymer rubber mixture;
various resins;
special glue;
paints;
plastic mass.

This is a modern tool that will allow you to qualitatively change your car's dashboard. Vinyl films can be plain or multi-colored.

Vinyl film for car interior wrapping

You can find an imitation of the coloring of animals, for example, python, leopard and others. Among others, there are materials that imitate chrome, carbon or nickel-plated metal.

The basic advantage of vinyl is its low maintenance requirements.

It is resistant to mechanical damage and retains its beautiful appearance for a long time. And most importantly, you can reupholster the car’s dashboard with your own hands.

Eco leather

Using natural leather is not always cost-effective or humane. But if you want to make the interior rich, then you can take eco-leather. This is not the leatherette that appeared in our country in the early 1990s. Now it is an advanced synthetic material without emissions of harmful substances. It is quite strong and retains a representative appearance for a long time.

Eco-leather samples

In terms of its characteristics, it is practically not inferior to natural leather. But to reupholster a car's dashboard, experts recommend looking for a professional studio. After all, it is impossible to do a beautiful job with your own hands without learning the stitching and long practice. This is the main disadvantage of eco-leather.

Alcantara

The material is better known as faux suede. Developed in the 1970s. Japanese chemist Miyoshi Okamoto. The soft velvety surface gives the car's interior a premium effect.

Alcantara does not require complex maintenance and is resistant to mechanical damage. Does not fade in the sun and is not afraid of temperature changes.

Sometimes the material is used in combination with eco-leather for a contrasting effect. The main advantage of artificial suede is that you can re-stretch the dashboard yourself.

Carpet

Non-woven synthetic material with various surface types. Often used for finishing cabinet subwoofers and interior parts. Carpet has good antistatic properties, does not fade in the sun, and is not afraid of moisture and mold. Well absorbs acoustic noise and knocks.

Automotive color carpet

It is environmentally safe, durable, does not require complex maintenance, and is inexpensive. The price depends on the structure, thickness, ductility and brand. Unanimously recognized by the owners of “nines”, “ten” and “fours”.

Flock

Velvety powder (powder). It is based on a pile made of cotton, viscose and polyamide. The material is sold in various colors. To apply the powder, a special tool is required - a flocator. The powder is sprayed onto the torpedo, previously lubricated with glue.

Suitable for processing complex panels with multiple corners and niches. Can be used for both full and partial coverage. Not suitable for torpedoes with cracks and holes from AirBag, as it repeats all surface defects.

Auto panel flocking

Before applying flock, careful preparation of the panel is required. It is almost impossible to make a high-quality suede cover yourself without experience.

Long experience required. Therefore, experts advise entrusting this type of tuning to professionals.

What to consider when creating a salon project

As you probably already guessed when choosing the material, the calculation part of restoring the interior of your car does not end there. Order material in excess and use the rule “measure seven times and cut once.” Because if 20 cm is not enough for you, keep in mind that the sale of material for car interior trim is carried out on the principle of the minimum available length and you will be lucky if this length is only one meter.

The choice of glue can be a problem, because it often happens that at the first contact, the glue sets perfectly, but in the morning it comes off in the corners. Or maybe the whole piece will come off. Remember that for the glue to harden, you need a dry and warm air atmosphere. It wouldn’t hurt to have a proven product on hand—Moment glue.

When planning to reupholster the entire car interior, you have the opportunity to create your own unique style. All methods are good for this. By combining two different materials and colors, you will create a harmonious look. The combination always has an advantage: black, gray, brown with small inserts of bright colors such as yellow, red, white, etc.

To achieve maximum color harmony, consider peripheral colors. For example, the colors of the backlight of the instrument panel and tape recorder. In some situations, you can highlight the look you are creating with chrome or wood accents.

Reupholstering a car interior with your own hands is a very labor-intensive process; this can be a particularly difficult task for those people who have never done anything with their own hands before. This activity is quite interesting for those who are used to doing everything for themselves, taking into account only their preferences, so this work will allow you to solve individual wishes. In this article we will tell you in more detail about what material should be chosen for reupholstering the interior, how to calculate the required amount and how the work process should proceed.

Without proper care, leather upholstery will eventually begin to crack from drying out and also fade when exposed to direct sunlight. During hot seasons, seats with leather surfaces will quickly heat up, which significantly reduces passenger comfort. This material is more suitable for expensive cars with air conditioning and tinted windows.

One of the most suitable materials for upholstering the interior of a car is Alcantara (artificial suede). This material is soft, ergonomic and pleasant to the touch. Alcatanra is a complex composite material that has high wear resistance, is resistant to high humidity, as well as fading due to prolonged exposure to sunlight.

It is much cheaper than genuine soft leather. Also, the advantages include a wide range of colors of this material. In this regard, the situation with leather is quite complicated, since the required shade may not be found on sale at all.

It’s much easier to choose the right Alcantara color. This option is the best choice considering price and quality. To reupholster the car interior, you can purchase almara, special automotive leather or fabric, leatherette or natural leather, carpet, flock, corduroy and others. Often the choice will be based on the price per square meter of sheathing.

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masking tape;
scissors;
brushes;
fine-grained sandpaper;
sewing machine;
threads;
paper for patterns;
universal glue;
primers;
degreaser;
marker;
construction hair dryer.

When choosing a material, be sure to select the appropriate adhesive composition for it, and also learn about the key features of working with it. Not all materials can be heated too much.

Step-by-step instruction

Now you can start working directly on the old and worn-out dashboard, turning it into a new and nice panel in the interior of your vehicle.

Since each machine has its own nuances, I will not focus on some of the subtleties of dismantling. Just look at the manual and do everything according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

The step-by-step process for re-stretching a torpedo can be described something like this:

First, the torpedo itself is removed. It will need to be cleaned using fine-grained sandpaper;
After cleaning, you need to cover the dismantled element with masking tape;
Next, a layer of paper intended for the pattern is applied. Outline it with a marker. In all directions there should be a margin of about 15 mm in the length of the material;

Which material to choose

This is a crucial stage of work, and it is also complicated by the fact that you cannot trust pictures on the Internet. You must definitely look at the material, and most importantly, feel it directly in the store.

Thinking before this not only about decorative qualities, but also taking into account color shades, tactile sensations, and also remembering practicality, it is undesirable for the material to be difficult to clean and constantly take on all the dirt.

A natural skin

Good, proven material. It perfectly isolates all unwanted sounds, has heat-insulating properties, is resistant to stains and is easy to use with simple cleaning methods.

At the same time, high-quality leather is expensive and, if we talk about fashion, it is somewhat outdated, but it is a classic, and it always has its connoisseurs.

It is especially worth noting the durability of the leather covering. From the point of view of mechanical effects, there is a large margin here, because even the constantly worn seats and steering wheel are covered with leather.

For a dashboard, resistance to solar radiation is important, and here the leather is also at its best, but the disadvantage will be the high price of such a coating.

Leatherette

The days of cheap leatherette or leatherette for student briefcases are long gone. Nowadays it is usually called eco-leather, and if you don’t find fault, then in all respects this material is not particularly inferior to a natural product.

At the same time, it will cost much less. It is quite strong and durable, resistant to influencing factors, although the variation in quality between different samples is very large. You will have to collect more information on the selected material.

Autocarpet

The advantages of autocarpet will be its low price, heat-insulating properties and excellent ability to absorb noise.

Decorative abilities and durability can be considered satisfactory, as well as the appearance, which can be described as “not for everybody.”

But this material is easier to work with and can be recommended for novice owners of inexpensive cars who have lost the appearance of a premium car due to age or deployment of airbags.

Vinyl film

A characteristic feature of vinyl is the wide choice of color shades and textures. Sometimes it is simply impossible to realize the whimsical fantasy of an amateur designer in any other way.

The same leather will not be able to create an imitation of neoclassical carbon fiber, or even mirror chrome or metallic. Which is as spectacular as it is dangerous. Still, the panel is always in the driver’s field of vision.

The low price of vinyl trim allows you to experiment, mastering the difficult art of reupholstering the interior, and the lack of strength and durability of the coating will be compensated by the ability to quickly replace it as the decorative effect is lost. And vinyl film will not require any special care.

Alcantara

An excellent coating that perfectly imitates suede, while being ordinary synthetics. Creates a calm, almost homely atmosphere in the salon, especially pleasant to the touch.

Automotive Alcantara is well suited for covering complex surfaces, is time-resistant and durable. Very often used in factory interior trim.

Start of work, materials

First of all, it is necessary to disassemble the interior, leaving bare metal. This may seem complicated, however, everything here is intuitive.

It’s also worth gathering the following tools:

Good scissors (preferably tailor's)
Stationery knife
Sewing machine
Sandpaper
Finishing material
Glue
Set of needles and pins

Next, we decide on the material. As a rule, leatherette is used, but you should not skimp on it, since low-quality leatherette can bubble from glue, or simply tear when re-tightening. If finances allow, you can use genuine leather, suede or Alcantara. The last two require constant care and cleaning, since they become very greasy due to their fleecy structure. You also need to immediately choose a color. The bright, red color seems attractive to many, but it is worth remembering that at the same time it is also a great irritant, which means that the car will become unsuitable for long trips. Therefore, it is better to choose neutral tones.

You must also remember practicality. Light colors get very dirty, because this is a car in which people sit in shoes and outerwear, and this means a lot of dust and debris.

Reupholstering the interior is, first of all, gluing the material. Therefore, you also need to choose the right glue. Now the German KLEIBERIT and the Polish BOTERM GTA have proven themselves well on the market. They apply to all of the above materials.

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If you use leather, then remove the created pattern from the torpedo, apply it to a piece of material, and outline the borders with a marker;
Appropriate pieces of leather are cut out to the desired shapes and sizes;
The 15 mm left as a reserve needs to be folded, after which the cover is sewn with a machine;
The panel that you previously cleaned now needs to be degreased. Once the degreaser has dried, go over a coat of primer;
After the primer has dried, apply a thin layer of glue to the panel;
Another layer is applied to the back of the leather workpiece;
The cover is carefully pulled onto the panel. Using a hair dryer, straighten out all the resulting wrinkles;
Now you can use a hairdryer to go over all the surfaces of the dashboard so that the glue is fully distributed and set.

Wait for it to dry completely, cut off all excess, after which you can safely return the torpedo to its place, following the reverse sequence of dismantling.

Before you apply any adhesive, primer or degreaser, make sure it is safe for the trim material and panel you are using.

I can’t say that it’s incredibly difficult to pull a torpedo. Much depends on how complex the shape of the panel is. Sometimes you can just pull it over with a solid piece, cutting out all the excess. In more complex situations, patterns are made, and blanks are created from them.

Tools and materials

Before you begin the process of soundproofing your entire dashboard, you need to gather the tools and materials needed for soundproofing. Required material:

Vibration damper type Vibroplast M1 (silver thickness)
Sound-absorbing - Bitoplast, thickness 5-10 mm
Non-slip – Madeleine

From the tool we take:

Rotating roller
Tape measure and long ruler
Sharp knife
Wipe down rags to remove lint.
Sharp scissors
White spirit for degreasing surfaces
Screwdriver Set

What the experts say

Professional auto shop craftsmen have accumulated extensive experience in reupholstering car panels inside and out. Here is a short list of tips from experts:

Practice first. Take a small piece of material and drag some object.

Prepare the surface carefully, because any bump or grain of sand will definitely appear on the fabric (defects are not visible on dense fabrics).

Take your time, otherwise you will have to tear everything off and start again.

Remove the backing carefully to avoid the adhesive surface sticking together.

Do not bring a hot hair dryer close to the material and do not hold it at one point for a long time, otherwise you can easily burn the material.

A cracked or shabby torpedo is not a death sentence. It is easy to put in order, capable of bringing joy to the car owner and arousing the interest of passengers. It is enough to select the appropriate material and allocate some free time for the event.

Repair or DIY restoration

The passive safety system in the form of airbags is activated in the event of a strong collision of the vehicle head-on or side with another object. Regardless of the driving speed, the activation of the SRS complex is also influenced by the angle of the collision, the severity of the collision object and the vehicle's surface. As a result, deployed airbags destroy the dashboard of the vehicle.

Based on the combination of the factors described above, it becomes clear that an accident can cause minimal damage, or it can have catastrophic consequences for your transport. Therefore, the choice of repair method - independent or professional - will depend on the total amount of damage.

It would be better to restore the dashboard of a heavily damaged vehicle in a car repair shop. Such a service, according to the most conservative estimates, will cost from 5 to 10 thousand rubles. depending on the region. The cost will be influenced by the quality of the selected materials and the amount of restoration work, and the final amount may exceed 25 thousand rubles.

If, as a result of a traffic accident, the inside of the car was not seriously damaged and functions quite stably, and you have enough manual skills and patience, then you can independently restore the torpedo after the airbags have deployed.

How to upholster a car dashboard yourself

You should not expect that all the work can be completed without disassembling the interior. The entire front panel will have to be removed to provide full access.

Tools

You will need both a standard plumbing tool for assembly and disassembly work to remove the torpedo, and a more specialized one directly for tightening operations.

A set of screwdrivers and wrenches for working in hard-to-reach places. Mirrors, flexible holders and gimbal extensions may be required.
A special device for removing plastic clips and latches.
Industrial hair dryer with adjustable air temperature.
You may need a sewing machine for working with leather.
Marker, knives and scissors. The cutting tool must be of high quality and sharp.
Spatulas, rollers and brushes.

You should not hope that a cheap and low-quality tool will allow you to get a decent result.

Even in skillful hands, they can ruin everything, after which they will have to start over, suffering material losses.

Consumables

The list of consumables is determined by the selected material. But some list items will become common to all coverages:

liquid and wipes for degreasing surfaces, used in painting;
sandpaper of varying degrees of grain, very fine is not required here;
glue for the selected covering material;
non-woven fabric for creating a model - patterns, preferably with spot application of glue;
threads for stitching leather, here you cannot skimp on quality and decorativeness;
directly the covering material itself, preferably with a reserve.

You will also need disposable gloves to protect your hands and antistatic wipes to remove dust from the part.

Preparation (removing the dashboard)

You must work in accordance with the repair manual for a specific car, since not all fasteners are visible to the eye.

Plastic elements, especially those that have already served, must be handled with care; they become brittle over time, and if broken fastening points are not restored, in the future this place can become a source of annoying noise. Moreover, the mass of the torpedo will increase noticeably.

Constriction technology + video

Work on the removed parprise begins with the preparation of patterns. The locations of the seams are determined, and a decision is made on the size of the pieces of material. Various options are possible, starting from a single cover and ending with pasting in small fragments.

Non-woven blanks are glued to the workpieces and seam tolerances are determined.

Non-woven fabric, unlike paper, has increased strength and is used in the sewing industry as a lining material. After complete pasting, the patterns are carefully separated from the parts of the torpedo.

Note: What does the Knock Sensor affect and how to check it

The removed patterns are placed on the wrong side of the material lying on a flat surface. The boundaries, taking into account the seams, are outlined with a marker, and the parts are cut out.

For the final check, sheets of material are once again applied to the dashboard, and the entire geometry is checked. After this, the cover can be sewn, if required by the technology of the specific material.

Before pasting, the surface of the torpedo must be prepared. The parts are sanded, degreased, and dust and other contaminants are carefully removed from them. A layer of primer is applied, which can be primer or glue. The same is done with the details of the tight material.

A layer of glue is applied to the dried material, in accordance with its technological features. After this, you can proceed directly to pasting.

It is necessary to carefully monitor the elimination of air bubbles, so it is better to work from the center to the edges. All seam locations must be aligned and located along the intended lines.

The glued parprise is blown with an industrial hairdryer to ensure uniform shrinkage and complete distribution of the glue over the surface; at this stage, it is still possible to smooth out the resulting folds and bubbles. A rubber roller is used to roll out the material. Complete polymerization of the glue usually occurs within a day.

ClassicAutoClub.ru

02/01/2016 Topics: Dashboard / Vinyl film / DIY

The dashboard is one of the most important parts of a classic car's interior. Who enjoys looking at an untidy or flaking dashboard while driving?

We have previously talked about the restoration of plastic in the interior of a car using our second generation Toyota Celica as an example. And today we will talk about restoring the dashboard.

Many classic model dashboards are finished with vinyl wrap. This gives a soft, slightly grainy surface that is pleasant to the touch. At least that's how it was when the car came off the assembly line. Over the decades, the sun's rays and water leaks have pretty much damaged it, not to mention the holes where the previous owners screwed in eight-track tape recorders and other modern accessories for that time.

If the dashboard is simple - stamped steel with or without a soft backing in case of impact - you can restore it yourself. To replace the cover, all you need is glue, vinyl film, basic tools and a little care.

The necessary materials can be bought in a regular store, but it is better to purchase them from a specialist in finishing classic models - this will definitely ensure their suitability.

YOU WILL NEED:

Equipment: High temperature contact adhesive, vinyl wrap, closed cell polyurethane (optional), brush and/or spatula, sharp scissors, cutter, hair dryer or industrial blow dryer. Time: 15 hours Costs: from 5,000 to 12,000 rubles Difficulty level: 4

MATERIAL SELECTION

Surface finishing.

Not all vinyl wraps sold in stores look good on your dashboard. Consider how shiny or matte it is, its graininess, and how it feels. When applying, flexibility is also important.

We measure out the vinyl film.

Cut a piece of vinyl film with a large margin. Don't skimp, otherwise there may not be enough to cover the entire surface. You may have to cut along the roll rather than across it, so measure the piece you need before purchasing.

Type of vinyl film.

Some stretch vinyl films will come loose after some time as the plasticizers penetrate into the adhesive. Find a textile-backed vinyl film that stretches just right and ask your salesperson for advice.

Polyurethane layer.

Many dashboards have vinyl film that is bonded directly to the metal surface, which is exactly what we replicate. However, on some models a layer of polyurethane is laid over the metal for softness. In this case, replace it with 2-3mm thick closed cell polyurethane sheet (available from finishing specialists).

You will need high temperature contact adhesive which is applied with a brush or spatula. Avoid aerosols and regular contact adhesive (it can come off or bubble in the sun).

Surface inspection.

Small particles of dirt, scratches, potholes, and surface imperfections on the dashboard will be visible under a layer of new material, even quite thick. It is extremely important to thoroughly prepare the surface.

PREPARATORY WORK

Remove the dashboard.

It's usually easiest to remove the dashboard and pull it out. Label the wires with paper tags; disconnect the throttle and speedometer cables; separate the heater air ducts. Remove the instrument panel, keeping the screws and bolts (refer to the repair manual for their location).

Cleaning the panel.

Remove any hardware that is attached to the dashboard, then scrape off the old vinyl covering. The old glue needs to be removed - you can either simply scrape it off, or soften it with a solvent (for varnishes, for example) and wipe it off. It is advisable to degrease the surface of the dashboard.

Assess the damage.

Remove any rust using a rubber-backed sanding wheel. Hard sanding discs will leave a mark and it will be visible. Be careful with the sharp edges of sheet metal. Process them with a file or sandpaper.

SEALING HOLES

Clean the edges.

Often, after removing an unnecessary device (for example, an ammeter or ashtray installed by a former owner), there remains a hole that needs to be sealed. First, make sure that the rough edge of the hole does not protrude. Carefully remove any protruding areas using pliers or a file.

Patch.

Clean and degrease both sides of the dashboard. Now press a piece of steel (or other rigid material) to the back of the dashboard using fiberglass filler. Wrap the fiber around the back of the patch for strength.

Surface cleaning.

Use a spatula to smooth the top surface. Once dry, sand the surface with coarse sandpaper and a block until it is smooth and does not stand out. If dents remain, fill them with filler and sand them again with sandpaper.

COVERING SMALL AREAS

Keep the original coating.

Many dashboards have additional sections made of semi-solid polyurethane, such as a “shock pad”. To prevent the old polyurethane from falling apart, a new coating must be applied on top of the old one.

Wrap in polyurethane.

If the vinyl is cracked or curled, smooth it out using sandpaper or a sanding wheel on a drill. If the area you are working on requires a soft finish, it can be wrapped in flexible closed cell polyurethane.

Cleaning the profile with sandpaper.

An additional layer of polyurethane can still be applied using contact adhesive. Once the glue has completely cured, carefully use a block and coarse sandpaper to shape the edges as desired.

Apply glue.

Whether you use polyurethane or not, the method remains the same. Cover both surfaces with an even layer of glue. Make sure there are no gaps or clumps of glue that will not set properly. Set aside until dry. If the glue is thick, spread it out with a spatula.

Attach the vinyl film.

This usually takes about 15 minutes. Do not hurry. Carefully combine all materials. They should stick together tightly and instantly, and after compression, remain motionless.

Final finishing.

Finish the area by gluing the edges and then folding and cutting off the excess. The ends should be tucked in carefully if they are visible on the dashboard after finishing.

COATING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

Do the work in parts.

On the main panel, it is best to glue the material in parts. We divided our work into covering the top surface, middle surface and vertical bottom surface. Start by centering the material on the panel.

Glue the first piece.

Apply glue to the first section of the panel and then attach the vinyl. Press the film from the center to the edges. You can place parchment paper under the vinyl layer and then pull it out when the vinyl is stretched and ready to be glued.

Glue the following sections.

Level the surface and ensure that the vinyl is stretched evenly, especially over openings such as the dashboard opening. Once the first piece is in place, apply adhesive to the next section of the dash and then attach the matching piece of vinyl. Press down on the vinyl with a soft cloth to ensure even pressure.

Small notches.

If there are small indentations stamped into the surface where the vinyl film should go, it is best to ignore them when applying the bulk of the film. Immediately after attaching the sheet of vinyl, press it into the grooves with a piece of soft cloth. In deep recesses, use a commercial hair dryer (or hair dryer) to soften the vinyl.

Pull the vinyl taut around the edges.

Do not glue the edges and sides until you have finished the main surface. Wrap the film around the edge and pull it tight to avoid wrinkles. In the corners, if necessary, make corner V-shaped cuts.

Wrap the edges.

If possible, wrap the material around the edge of the dashboard and glue it to the back. This will hide the jagged edges of the metal and prevent the vinyl from shrinking along the edges as it ages.

FINISHING THE JOB

Cut out the holes.

Cut holes (for switches, radios, etc.) strictly along the edges of the openings. Cut with a utility knife with a new blade or scalpel. Start by moving slightly inward from the edge of the opening, then move the blade toward the edge and slowly trace its outline.

Cutting small holes.

Poke a hole through the back with a needle to mark its position. Cut holes from the front to avoid causing the vinyl to bulge. The knife should move smoothly in one direction. If it moves back and forth like a saw, the edges will end up ragged.

Install appliances.

Reinstall the equipment on the dashboard. Treat faded plastic with a finishing revitalizer. Some components are best installed while the dashboard is in place in the vehicle (for example, electrical items with non-removable wiring). Take care to protect the surface of the dashboard while working!

You can do all this yourself, but if you can get a helper to hold the new material on the main part of the panel, there will be less risk of bubbles or wrinkles.

The techniques described here will not work for later instrument panels that use molded polyurethane in complex configurations around the raised area for instruments and other fixtures.

Text: Dmitry Britantsev

Repair methods

There are three main approaches to repairing a dashboard after airbag deployment:

Functional repair of instrument panels includes mechanical restoration. The dashboard and steering wheel are installed in place, and new airbags are mounted under them. After this, the program resets information about airbag deployment;
A complete interior dashboard repair includes not only mechanical repairs, but also aesthetic ones. The console is dismantled, a complete reupholstery is carried out using selected materials, a new SRS complex is inserted under the steering wheel and covers and reprogramming is carried out. This method makes it possible not only to recreate the transport security system, but also to change its internal appearance;
A rough repair is suitable for cases where the car has received minimal damage and does not require major restoration procedures. In this case, the holes where the pillows used to be are filled with polyurethane foam, and the covers are installed in their original place. This method is bad because in the event of a new accident, the SRS complex will not work, because there will be nothing to work. By resorting to the third type of repair, you endanger not only your life, but also the lives of your passengers.

Sound insulation of the panel from the inside

After vibration insulation, we proceed to gluing the second layer - sound insulation:

Instrument panel covered with sound insulation (sound absorber) from the inside

Anti-noise, included in the second layer and on the internal insulation of the dashboard, 5-10 mm bitoplast is recommended
it is much better to use thicker material for the panel, sound insulation will give a better effect
The entire area from the inside of the panel skin should be covered.
Exclusively for the most complete coverage of the entire territory, Bitoplast will be able to simultaneously perform two functions
The first is a sound absorber for the hum coming from the engine compartment (the implementation of an “acoustic screen” is achieved), as well as a gasket that prevents the internal “stuffing” of the dashboard from beating inside the plastic case
Bitoplast is a very elastic material with expansion and contraction properties, which allows it to adhere very well to uneven textured surfaces
And then you can carefully trim off the resulting excess material around the edges with scissors.

Errors

You don't gain experience right away. Therefore, for the first time, you can get air bubbles, uneven seams, and unnoticed defects in the original surface.

There may also be errors when choosing the material. You should especially remember about the persistent odor in the cabin if substances not intended for this purpose are used.

Note to you: How long does alcohol last in a driver’s blood?

Cheap, widely used glue can take years to wear out, so it is better to purchase all consumables from a specialized supplier as a single package.

The importance of carefully performing assembly and disassembly operations has already been mentioned. At the installation stage, you may encounter a changed panel geometry; you need to think about this when marking the patterns.