Re: KPack
Posted by kevinpackard On 2021/9/7 0:02:08
Howard - Yes, the stainless strips do have the tabs through the back board, so those will be fairly straightforward, and will help hold the vinyl down. I plan to use the polymer type panel board like you linked to. I'd rather not have issues with water damage down the road. I can get replacement vinyl from SMS (without embossing) but I worry that it will be a different color to the faded vinyl on there right now. I'll have to clean up what I have and see how closely it matches the leftover ivory vinyl from the headliner.
I had some time today to tackle a few other things. I had been avoiding installing the rear seatbelts because pulling the rear seat out is unpleasant. I finally took the time to get it out, mark my spots and drilled for the mounts. You can see on the picture where I mounted....same on both sides. I couldn't go anymore toward the side of the car due to the wheel wells. The seatbelts from Retrobelt work great and look nice. It'll all look better once I redo the seat upholstery. Note to those looking for seatbelts in the 51-54 cars.....60" is plenty long for the rear seats. I used 72" and I have tons of excess.
Next I pulled out one of the armrests. All four of them are crusty, cracked, and very discolored. I disassembled it (very easy....two small screws in the back, two medium screws in the bottom, bend back one tab on the stainless strip and peel it off) and took inventory of the pieces. The vinyl covers a rubber pad, and is mounted to a metal piece with no protection against rust.
I used 0000 steel wool to clean all the crustiness off the lower plastic part, then polished it up with plastic polish. You can see how faded and discolored the plastic is by comparing to the small strip that was covered by the stainless.
I removed the vinyl, then used it as a pattern for new vinyl. Unfortunately my supply of professional glue from the headliner had all hardened. So I attempted to use some Super 77 spray adhesive and hated every minute of it. It barely holds and I'll need to redo this armrest when I get more pro glue.
I reassembled it anyways to get an idea of how they clean up. Not bad. It will look much better once I get real glue and can really stretch that vinyl over the top.
-Kevin
Attach file:
Rear seatbelt mounts.jpg (134.35 KB)
Rear seatbelts installed.jpg (118.31 KB)
Crusty arm rests.jpg (138.98 KB)
Crusty arm rests 2.jpg (95.55 KB)
Arm rest disassembled.jpg (188.54 KB)
Faded plastic after cleaning.jpg (62.73 KB)
Arm rest vinyl removed.jpg (182.06 KB)
Arm rest reassembled with new vinyl.jpg (65.63 KB)
Arm rest isses with spray glue.jpg (58.42 KB)
I had some time today to tackle a few other things. I had been avoiding installing the rear seatbelts because pulling the rear seat out is unpleasant. I finally took the time to get it out, mark my spots and drilled for the mounts. You can see on the picture where I mounted....same on both sides. I couldn't go anymore toward the side of the car due to the wheel wells. The seatbelts from Retrobelt work great and look nice. It'll all look better once I redo the seat upholstery. Note to those looking for seatbelts in the 51-54 cars.....60" is plenty long for the rear seats. I used 72" and I have tons of excess.
Next I pulled out one of the armrests. All four of them are crusty, cracked, and very discolored. I disassembled it (very easy....two small screws in the back, two medium screws in the bottom, bend back one tab on the stainless strip and peel it off) and took inventory of the pieces. The vinyl covers a rubber pad, and is mounted to a metal piece with no protection against rust.
I used 0000 steel wool to clean all the crustiness off the lower plastic part, then polished it up with plastic polish. You can see how faded and discolored the plastic is by comparing to the small strip that was covered by the stainless.
I removed the vinyl, then used it as a pattern for new vinyl. Unfortunately my supply of professional glue from the headliner had all hardened. So I attempted to use some Super 77 spray adhesive and hated every minute of it. It barely holds and I'll need to redo this armrest when I get more pro glue.
I reassembled it anyways to get an idea of how they clean up. Not bad. It will look much better once I get real glue and can really stretch that vinyl over the top.
-Kevin
Attach file:
Rear seatbelt mounts.jpg (134.35 KB) Rear seatbelts installed.jpg (118.31 KB)
Crusty arm rests.jpg (138.98 KB)
Crusty arm rests 2.jpg (95.55 KB)
Arm rest disassembled.jpg (188.54 KB) Faded plastic after cleaning.jpg (62.73 KB)
Arm rest vinyl removed.jpg (182.06 KB)
Arm rest reassembled with new vinyl.jpg (65.63 KB)
Arm rest isses with spray glue.jpg (58.42 KB)
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