Custom fabric inlays on dash side panels- how to attach fabric?

Thinking about doing something fun for the interior. TMI dashes (as nice as they look are out of my price range). They do one with blue plaid.


So I got to thinking, the trim strip that goes by the vents, and the trim strips on the door panels….would there be a way to attach some fabric of my choice on there? Apparently I have Scottish in my blood, and I know there is a tartan with my family name. But not absolutely necessary- a standard blue plaid would suffice. My named tartan would have some reds as well as yellow in it with the blue so that coloring may not land well.

What would be the best way to glue fabric on the trim strips? I’m guessing the Silverado trim would be a better choice since it has a smooth surface- my Scottsdale has the textured black that would have to be sanded smooth.

Any thoughts for durability? I’d hate for it to peel after a year. Thanks in advance.

-Chad

No expert here, but any variety of good contact cement type glue is what to use.
I feel like you might want a little depth to it though. Like a thin piece of foam first and then the fabric.
I suck at upholstery but there’s YouTube. Glue to the face of the panel first and then wrap the edges on to the back side and glue them down.

I’m considering using a vinyl wrap on those three trim pieces. I would like to have scenery type vinyl which I haven’t found yet. I might have to have it custom made.

The original plastic plate had posts with speed nuts.
This looks like a good opportunity for the 3D printer folks to make a custom part….

This is the best stuff. Around $20 a can at Home Depot don’t go cheap or it’ll start peeling up around the edges.

mano said:

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This is the best stuff. Around $20 a can at Home Depot don’t go cheap or it’ll start peeling up around the edges.

You must be registered for see images attach

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Nice!

mano said:

You must be registered for see images attach

This is the best stuff. Around $20 a can at Home Depot don’t go cheap or it’ll start peeling up around the edges.

You must be registered for see images attach

Click to expand...

That is cool…where did you get the design from? Is it fabric or did you have it printed somehow?

It’s a rattlesnake skin that I killed on my front porch

With the 80's interior trim strips, I'd say you could probably just wrap the panels with the fabric that you choose. Just use spray adhesive like shown above. With the trim being wrapped, the dash pad and door panels will help keep it from peeling off later on.

bucket said:

With the 80's interior trim strips, I'd say you could probably just wrap the panels with the fabric that you choose. Just use spray adhesive like shown above. With the trim being wrapped, the dash pad and door panels will help keep it from peeling off later on.

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That’s actually a really good idea.

Spray headliner adhesive would probably work well, too. Doesn't totally soak through the cloth.

Those are sweet dashes. The same thing happened to me, but I didn't think like you did. I went and just purchased the original style from USA1. I am happy with it. Great quality. If you change your mind and want to go original style, I'll leave the link for you.
1981-1987 GMC Chevy Truck Dash Pad
Chevy Truck Parts (Other Parts they have)
Good luck

fatblazer1973 said:

Those are sweet dashes. The same thing happened to me, but I didn't think like you did. I went and just purchased the original style from USA1. I am happy with it. Great quality. If you change your mind and want to go original style, I'll leave the link for you.
1981-1987 GMC Chevy Truck Dash Pad
Chevy Truck Parts (Other Parts they have)
Good luck

Click to expand...

Thanks! Did they actually have it in stock? Or how long did you wait? Seems like in the past they’ve had lots of issues delivering items in a timely manner.

I once used that 3M stuff on my bosses chair, cause he ticked me off for pickin on a kid. put on two coats, ten minutes later, came storming through the shop plopped down in that chair, and got a funny look. Tried to stand, the chair stuck to his britches and arms, had to push it off. later we sneaked a look at the chair, had a lot of hair on the arms. Almost got fired for that one, and the boss didn't talk to me for almost a year. I'm a nice guy, really, but I can't stand a bully pickin on a kid. Sorry for the hijack, the 3M brought it all flooding back.