The Upholstery Forum

Just wanted to start a new topic to help address the panel board confusion. I also did not understand what this PVC foam board looked liked until I went to a plastics supply business and got my hands on their products. The actual product is called Expanded PVC and comes in 4 x 8 sheets. Many different thicknesses and colors are available. This product is stronger than ABS and can be drilled, routed, sawed, stapled and most importantly it can be heated and formed.

I bought 6mm (1/4'') thick sheets and paid around 50.00 per sheet. This product is not sold at Home Depot but can be bought in smaller sizes on Amazon. Just search for Expanded PVC. I use the 6mm thickness since my staples are 1/4'' long.

Attached is a shop chair backrest panel made from Expanded PVC . This piece of PVC was heated with a heat gun and shaped by clamping to the metal backrest of the chair. After cooling I marked the outline and cut the panel with a jigsaw, drilled and installed some flush rivnuts for mounting, and then stapled on some foam backed vinyl.

Finished shop chair.

Now that was really informative! Thank you! Home Depot is just down the street too.

Thanks @abusedrage! Ive been meaning to test this stuff out just haven't gotten around to it. Have you made any door panels with it yet?

I’ve been using expanding PVC foam sheets the past few years. Mostly 1/4” and 1/2” sheets I’ve used fror building panel, Subwoofer enclosures, amp racks ect.

John wrote: ↑Tue May 08, 2018 5:30 am Thanks @abusedrage! Ive been meaning to test this stuff out just haven't gotten around to it. Have you made any door panels with it yet?

Yeah, a lot of caraudio fabricators use them when rebuilding door panels. Here is a few pictures of a friends shop work using only pvc.

That's great info. My question would be how does it hold up to heat? ABS can be formed with heat too, but it's one big drawback is warping in the hot desert sun. Fortunately for me I live in Washington State, but you never know. I'd love to see a side-by-side comparison between ABS and expanded PVC.

@abusedrage Damn!! Your friend does some seriously nice work! I could learn a thing or two from him. I need to test this stuff out.

bryanmartin wrote:That's great info. My question would be how does it hold up to heat? ABS can be formed with heat too, but it's one big drawback is warping in the hot desert sun. Fortunately for me I live in Washington State, but you never know. I'd love to see a side-by-side comparison between ABS and expanded PVC.

I learned that lesson the hard way when I was living in Phoenix

bryanmartin wrote: ↑Tue May 08, 2018 3:22 pm That's great info. My question would be how does it hold up to heat? ABS can be formed with heat too, but it's one big drawback is warping in the hot desert sun. Fortunately for me I live in Washington State, but you never know. I'd love to see a side-by-side comparison between ABS and expanded PVC.

It hold up well. What I always think about is if your in a dry area of the country most just use mdf and coat with bed liner spray on backside also cheaper. In wet cold climate pvc as it is water and mold resistance. The only bullet proof material I know of but is expensive is HDPE sheets(starboard) most hotrodder upholstey guy use for build center console.

John wrote: ↑Wed May 09, 2018 7:17 am @abusedrage Damn!! Your friend does some seriously nice work! I could learn a thing or two from him. I need to test this stuff out.

bryanmartin wrote:That's great info. My question would be how does it hold up to heat? ABS can be formed with heat too, but it's one big drawback is warping in the hot desert sun. Fortunately for me I live in Washington State, but you never know. I'd love to see a side-by-side comparison between ABS and expanded PVC.

I learned that lesson the hard way when I was living in Phoenix

Most of the best car audio installers in the country got our training here at mobile solutions in Arizona. They sell all the tools needed and materials to build and fabricate interior and build Audio system.
https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/

@Trimmerman79 I was just at the door panel class 2 months ago. It was really good. I learned a lot! I decided not to do the subwoofer class in June. Ive never really like or been interested in custom car audio. It was actually kind of strange. There was only 4 trimmers in the whole class. I waiting for them to do another center console class.

This was my panel

One good thing about living in Callie, y'all have access to some cool classes out there!!

I can learn all about growing Vidalia onions and peanuts here at my house. LOL

John wrote: ↑Wed May 09, 2018 5:51 pm @Trimmerman79 I was just at the door panel class 2 months ago. It was really good. I learned a lot! I decided not to do the subwoofer class in June. Ive never really like or been interested in custom car audio. It was actually kind of strange. There was only 4 trimmers in the whole class. I waiting for them to do another center console class.

This was my panel
IMG_7983.JPG

Great job on that panel. Looks fantastic! I have yet to making to any of the classes yet. I have a lot of friends that been. Since I’m in he car audio business. Yeah most guys that attend are going to be car audio guys. I love building car more then just building audio systems. Reason why I’m getting into upholstery, so I can do it all from start to finish. I know at one time they had a hotrod trimmer guy teach a class on sewing. Not sure if they still offer it or not. I’m going to watch your online videos.

Nothing here either Bondo, looks like we are having more in common than we thought!

@BigRig Are you in corn country?

@Trimmerman79 Thanks! The classes are worth it for sure. Especially if your a car audio guy. I heard they used to have Ron Mangus come teach some of the classes. He is a legend. That would have been really cool
Learning to sew and do upholstery will be a great addition to your car audio projects. Feel free to post some of your work in the "show off your work" section. We all love to see the projects everyone is working on!


@Bondo497 Haha come on man plane tickets are that bad. There was people from all over the country there.

@John I'm in your neck of the woods every week (Sacramento) but I can't stick around long enough to meet you or learn anything. Bummer. Ps. I don't do planes.

John wrote: ↑Wed May 09, 2018 5:51 pm @Trimmerman79 I was just at the door panel class 2 months ago. It was really good. I learned a lot! I decided not to do the subwoofer class in June. Ive never really like or been interested in custom car audio. It was actually kind of strange. There was only 4 trimmers in the whole class. I waiting for them to do another center console class.

This was my panel
IMG_7983.JPG

Ok, my credit card is ready. How long until your Advanced Door Panel video comes out?

Bondo, if I was in corn country I would be in a whitetail stand and you would have a hard time getting me out to sew. I live in a good area a little of everything but the winters are just too cold!