[Mk2] [NA] Alcantara/Flocked Dash

[CalMac]

Where do I keep an eye out for one?! They're rather rare it seems..

Initially spoke to Steve at Edge Auto but there's no way I'm paying £550 odd for a dash wrapped in fluffy stuff, even if his work is incredible

I check ebay all the time and the 'parts for sale' on here - anywhere else I should be checking?

[Ethan21]

This what your after ?

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=150393

[CalMac]

Yep but I pm'd him last Tuesday and still haven't heard from him..

[KarlBristol]

Why not just get the material and flock It yourself?
There are plenty of people who have done it and it seems simple enough. It would certainly be a lot more cost effective

[uglee]

Just bear in mind you get what you pay for.

Flocked trim to me feels like that very nasty felt that budget car manufacturers put in the bottom of cubby holes to stop things rattling. People then cover their entire dash with it

[alan_uk]

i had flocking done in my old mr2 and looked pants tbh no were near the same effect of alacantara

pay the money and get a top job will be worth it in the end

[aj.extreme]

This what your after ?

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=150393

Lol thread revival

[CalMac]

Right alcantara it is then! Just out of interest, how difficult would it be to trim the dash myself if I bought a sheet of the stuff?

[alan_uk]

That all depends on your level of skills getting corners and edges right so it don't bubble lift or crease is quite hard

But I reckon lots of spray glue and patience and time and you should get it right

[CalMac]

Yep, gonna give it a go I think no harm in trying! haha

[KarlBristol]

Yep, gonna give it a go I think no harm in trying! haha

Pm rhon and ask her for a few tips as she does a lot of work covering in alcantara.

If you ask very nicely you might be able to get samples/buy the relevant material through her

[uglee]

You'll have to be very careful and also find a glue resistant to plasticisor migration.
Steve found out about this when he did my dash with his original glue. Everything fine intitially and after 6 months it went baggy in places. Anyway new dash, different glue and it's all fine now.

Personally I think upholstery work is a real skill that takes a long time to master so a DIY effort could look pretty terrible.

[Rosssco]

You'll have to be very careful and also find a glue resistant to plasticisor migration.
Steve found out about this when he did my dash with his original glue. Everything fine intitially and after 6 months it went baggy in places. Anyway new dash, different glue and it's all fine now.

Personally I think upholstery work is a real skill that takes a long time to master so a DIY effort could look pretty terrible.

It is very nice, and makes a big difference the interior of the car.. Think I fancy it myself..

[CalMac]

Yeah makes sense - Steve is probably justified in charging those prices!

I'll contact Rhon

I emailed him and got no response, then called him and he said he'd get back to me via email but haven't heard anything since.. This was about 2 months ago

[gazrev1tubby]

I trimmed my own in alcantara a little while ago. The hardest part was getting the patterns correct, so that once all the pieces were stitched, they fitted correctly.

Mine was made up of 5 sections, then double stitched in silver against the black alcantara.

To get really nice stitching, a proper 'walking foot' machine is needed, although mine came out quite well with just a normal sewing machine.

You'll need to scuff the hell out of the stock dash, then apply a sealer to keep the oils in the plastic/vinyl at bay, otherwise the cover will lift away when it's hot or very damp

[CalMac]

Thanks mate, that's very helpful

I've never used a sewing machine.. watch this thread for something that like looks like a dog's dinner! maybe I could get my nan to have a go