The Upholstery Forum

Hi guys,

I have just started to retrim my car interior because the prices in UK are beyond crazy. I have some questions about the process, I would be happy if anyone can help me with.

First of all, I have started with my door cards and i cleared the faux leather and some other nappa leather of the door trims. I have now these cleared parts in one piece with their stichings.

After seeing some samples, I have also ordered some alcantara and full grain nappa leather. I recently spoke my tailor friend about the stiching and cutting leather and he agreed to help me. I supply the old material i removed ( which has exact shape and stitching) and also new leather and threads. He said easy for him as long as I provide pieces. So it leaves me to things.

1- which material should I use to glue?
2- I am trying to choose threads . Do you guys think the below one ok for car leather? any other recommendation?
https://relicate.com/collections/serafi ... 2907142323
3- how do you decide which part should have padding or no? I don't want to pad everything or leave too empty.

Thanks for your recommendations

Very fun adventure :) You will see why trimming prices are what they are after engaging in your project. I have used the thread from Relicate and it is Top Notch. As far as adhesive you may be best to just go with aersol cans if you do not have a compressor and pot.

You will want to use an upholstery grade contact cement. In the US we use weldwood landau top adhesive. http://amzn.to/2nwDBO5

For thread I recommend Coats Bonded Polyester, Serabond or Serafil. Ive never had trouble with these brands.

For padding it up to you what you want padded or not.

Post pictures with your questions that way we will be better able to advise you.

Hi guys, some update

I sorted out the padding parts like you guys said up to my preferences.

However one issue here I can't find proper thread, especially the colour i want. Btw I got Serafil 90 and it seems to thin. I will be ordering 210 or 270 soon. However colors do not match at all.

@BigRig

Well even though i just did one door card it honestly did not justify the price. apart from couple of mistakes i did it was fine overall. ( mistakes will be covered under other parts, like stereo, upper door card leather etc )
I think the contact adhesive caused some issues and I hurried a bit. I will try 3m 90 next time. I would appreciate adhesive recommendations

One more question guys, there are some big creases and covering deep holes with alcantara. At this point I believe adhesive plays a big role for streching and slighly repositioning. Do you have any advises? In the photo you see the deep creases. Some of the line and creases wont be seen because other pieces will come onto it however it still did not feel right. Also I needed to open some holes but I noticed alcantara did not crease nicely in some parts due to the background padding left from faux leather. Do you think should I remove that one as well?

so in overall I am in need of thread and the right adhesive for the stuff. Thanks for reading

Fat thread makes a nice top stitch but make sure your machine can handle that big thread before you spend your money on it. I dont know what machine you have, but not all upholstery class machines can handle 210, and 270 definitely will put you up into the next class of machines.

well my tailor did some examples with thick threads so I assume these should be fine. worst case scenario I can outsource another tailor

Just checked 270 from photos, seems like right and close to oem. I will also check 210 but definetly none of the colors in serafil matched with what i want

@deli333 , I would just stick with Weldwood like John suggested. If you are having problems using that in the outcome of your work it is the operator not the adhesive.

Thread comes in limited options. Usually it never exactly matches the fabric you are using.