The build has been a project of "firsts" for me. On this episode, I try my hand at interior upholstery work for the very first time. Lots of sweat and stress throughout the process. I hope you enjoy the end result!
You’ve built your own exhaust manifolds and so much technical stuff on this car, but this must have been the most stressful of all. Hats off my friend, it’s nearly there 👍🏻👏🏼
Looks great! I’m building an RS and Ultima’s Build Manual says to apply glue to entire dash and entire Alcantara at once…then let them dry…then assemble. I did that and what a huge mistake! It was a nightmare to work with and I ended up with a several wrinkles that I certainly cannot live with. I ended up removing the dash fabric and ordering a new one. It’s on its way right now. Next week, I’m going to redo it, but with some help and only doing small sections at a time, starting with the stitched seam. Those corners are tough too. If you haven’t already, maybe fine and watch some videos of pros doing it. I’m planning on that. Or even better, if there’s a local pro that would come to your house, seriously consider it. I know some builders don’t order the dash from Ultima and have pros do it just for these reasons. Good luck!
Tip Don’t put switches that can be accidentally bumped on in places where you might bump them getting in and especially out. I had a car that had the headlight switch in a spot where I regularly bumped it with my knee getting out. Several jump starts later I found a warning buzzer that I could retrofit to help mitigate the problem.
Well done to you and your sister thats looking great I've seen upholsterer using a steamer to relax the material and iron it out maybe worth looking at. Kind Regards from Liverpool England
Excellent results. Upholstery is one of those dark arts! So much can go wrong. Looking great. Hey Dan, could you do an overview update video? Just going over the whole car and showing us the current state of the project and whats coming up. All the best from NZ.
I really enjoy your videos Dan. I have built several cars and engines over the years and admire the quality of your work. My hobby now is CNC and have several dedicated and converted machines. I am fascinated by your new CNC machine. I work mainly in wood, but would have liked to machine metals, but space and projects are at a premium. Thank you.
Thanks for your kind words! Regarding my CNC machine, one of the main reasons I was able to get the Langmuir Systems MR-1 is because it’s relatively small as CNC machines go. I’m out of space in my garage so it fits well. It’s a nice hobbies machine.
Thanks for your kind words! Regarding my CNC machine, one of the main reasons I was able to get the Langmuir Systems MR-1 is because it’s relatively small as CNC machines go. I’m out of space in my garage so it fits well. It’s a nice hobby machine.
If you ever have to cover a dash or anything like it again, have a look and try and find a datum or start point, it that case it is the stitch line running along the corner of the dash, start there and you can pull most everything else out from there to get it tight.
The Oem alcantera looks cheap and nasty compared to the stuff you chose. Instead of cutting individual holes for things you might consider just cutting a big hole and making a plate to bolt in. Something you could put you new CNC to the task of👍😀 Being able to pull a plate out will make wiring much less of a nightmare
So I used to do upholstery at Lotus cars. in this case the heat gun can be really helpful. a little heat on the back will soften the alcantara and allow you to stretch and manipulate it easier. Just for future, I used to glue the stich line down and get that straight and smooth first then work out from there stretching and manipulating the material as needed
Great work Dan. Definitely made the right decision to get your sister to make the dash cover to match, looks fantastic. The 3d printed trim rings for the vents was another great idea. Could you share the files in the owners group?
Another point, have you check that this kinf of "foam" under the alcantara support the heat?. In the VAG cars, its usually (for example in audi S3/S4/A3 2000 years) normally in the interior of the hood (interior of the car, not engine bay), the foam under the heat its completly destroyed and the alcantara create bubbles. Check it please. Not all the foam are ready for the heat in the cars. Best regards, Robert.
Good to know! I double checked and the foam backing I used is designed for car interiors for things like door panels, seat covers, etc. So hopefully I don’t have issues with it. 🤞
Why didn’t you create a panel for the switches? After a while of using them, the alcantera around the switches will wear out making the interior look worn. Not to mention the headache of cleaning around them from oil from your fingers. Just a thought.
I went back and forth deciding if I wanted to add dash windshield vents...ultimately I decided against it mainly because 1) I don't have AC in the car 2) it's an open top chassis which means 3) I don't plan on driving in the cold or rainy weather. I didn't install windshield vents on my Cobra and haven't regretted it so feeling good about my decision. Plus keeps the top dash surface clean and uncluttered.
Dan's sister the real hero of this build. Kudos to an awesome build Dan!
He’s back!!!🎉
Even though all that Alcantara is is fake suede . It still looks pretty damn good .
You’ve built your own exhaust manifolds and so much technical stuff on this car, but this must have been the most stressful of all. Hats off my friend, it’s nearly there 👍🏻👏🏼
Awesome Dan keep the videos coming!
You are lucky to have a talented sister with a sewing machine. Great progress.
Great work !!! Looks absolutely amazing !!! Your sister is a Champ !!!
Lovely job, your sister is also a star.
Looks great! I’m building an RS and Ultima’s Build Manual says to apply glue to entire dash and entire Alcantara at once…then let them dry…then assemble. I did that and what a huge mistake! It was a nightmare to work with and I ended up with a several wrinkles that I certainly cannot live with. I ended up removing the dash fabric and ordering a new one. It’s on its way right now. Next week, I’m going to redo it, but with some help and only doing small sections at a time, starting with the stitched seam. Those corners are tough too. If you haven’t already, maybe fine and watch some videos of pros doing it. I’m planning on that. Or even better, if there’s a local pro that would come to your house, seriously consider it. I know some builders don’t order the dash from Ultima and have pros do it just for these reasons. Good luck!
Go Dan go!! Regards from Spain!
Tip
Don’t put switches that can be accidentally bumped on in places where you might bump them getting in and especially out.
I had a car that had the headlight switch in a spot where I regularly bumped it with my knee getting out.
Several jump starts later I found a warning buzzer that I could retrofit to help mitigate the problem.
Dash looks amazing! Phone box looks good too 😊
Thanks for the inspiration! 😀
Well done to you and your sister thats looking great I've seen upholsterer using a steamer to relax the material and iron it out maybe worth looking at. Kind Regards from Liverpool England
AMAZING Work as usual Dan! loving ur new cnc machine as well!
Excellent results. Upholstery is one of those dark arts! So much can go wrong. Looking great.
Hey Dan, could you do an overview update video? Just going over the whole car and showing us the current state of the project and whats coming up. All the best from NZ.
I really enjoy your videos Dan. I have built several cars and engines over the years and admire the quality of your work. My hobby now is CNC and have several dedicated and converted machines. I am fascinated by your new CNC machine. I work mainly in wood, but would have liked to machine metals, but space and projects are at a premium. Thank you.
Thanks for your kind words! Regarding my CNC machine, one of the main reasons I was able to get the Langmuir Systems MR-1 is because it’s relatively small as CNC machines go. I’m out of space in my garage so it fits well. It’s a nice hobbies machine.
Thanks for your kind words! Regarding my CNC machine, one of the main reasons I was able to get the Langmuir Systems MR-1 is because it’s relatively small as CNC machines go. I’m out of space in my garage so it fits well. It’s a nice hobby machine.
Wonderful work
If you ever have to cover a dash or anything like it again, have a look and try and find a datum or start point, it that case it is the stitch line running along the corner of the dash, start there and you can pull most everything else out from there to get it tight.
Should be able to use some steam to pull the wrinkles
The Oem alcantera looks cheap and nasty compared to the stuff you chose.
Instead of cutting individual holes for things you might consider just cutting a big hole and making a plate to bolt in.
Something you could put you new CNC to the task of👍😀
Being able to pull a plate out will make wiring much less of a nightmare
You done well to fit all that alcantara without getting glue sticky fingers all over the surface 👍
So I used to do upholstery at Lotus cars. in this case the heat gun can be really helpful. a little heat on the back will soften the alcantara and allow you to stretch and manipulate it easier. Just for future, I used to glue the stich line down and get that straight and smooth first then work out from there stretching and manipulating the material as needed
GREAT tips-thank you so much!!
Great work Dan. Definitely made the right decision to get your sister to make the dash cover to match, looks fantastic. The 3d printed trim rings for the vents was another great idea. Could you share the files in the owners group?
🥇❤
Another point, have you check that this kinf of "foam" under the alcantara support the heat?. In the VAG cars, its usually (for example in audi S3/S4/A3 2000 years) normally in the interior of the hood (interior of the car, not engine bay), the foam under the heat its completly destroyed and the alcantara create bubbles. Check it please. Not all the foam are ready for the heat in the cars. Best regards, Robert.
Good to know! I double checked and the foam backing I used is designed for car interiors for things like door panels, seat covers, etc. So hopefully I don’t have issues with it. 🤞
Love it Dan. Have you checked youll be able to reach the buttons when wearing a harness though? (Assuming you will be using harnesses)
Yep, I tested this and all good!
Looking good! What material did you print the heater adapters out of?
I used PETG. This filament *should* hold up okay. 🤷
@@DanDulac Should be just fine. I've had excellent luck using PETG parts in high temp applications.
Why didn’t you create a panel for the switches? After a while of using them, the alcantera around the switches will wear out making the interior look worn. Not to mention the headache of cleaning around them from oil from your fingers. Just a thought.
loving these videos, although I'd rather hear you talking than the TH-cam music, which sucks
Do you have heating vent on the dash? Directed to the windshield? Can be foogy whitout
I went back and forth deciding if I wanted to add dash windshield vents...ultimately I decided against it mainly because 1) I don't have AC in the car 2) it's an open top chassis which means 3) I don't plan on driving in the cold or rainy weather. I didn't install windshield vents on my Cobra and haven't regretted it so feeling good about my decision. Plus keeps the top dash surface clean and uncluttered.
Dan aren’t you about your Baby on the ROAD??