26 replies to this topic

[ferg]

I recently got hold of a length of "Alcantara Pannel" from http://www.ukhide.co.uk and a can of 3M spray glue, and have reasonably successfully managed to apply it to the light switch panel - the easy bit. For those that have done this themselves, how did you fit it to the area around the heater controls on the longer front panel? And what about the area around the door-pull opening on the door cards? Does it have to be heated to get it to stretch? Anyone know of a good "how to" on the net? Thanks! I'll post pictures *if* I don't make a mess of it

[ChrisS1]

Interested in this too so shall be watching this topic

[Delta Deano]

Hi pal i recently did this to my door cards and dash but with faux Swede but the dash has faded slightly it was black it is now turning gray. I would be interested in getting genuine alcantara could you tell me how much you paid say per sq mtr. Removing the dash is easy to do there is an how to on here somewhere you have to rough up the plastics on dash and door panels for the evostik to bond. I also found that brushing the glue on was better than spraying has it is to runny and soaks through the cloth. Good luck

[ferg]

I would be interested in getting genuine alcantara could you tell me how much you paid say per sq mtr.

About £80- including UPS delivery (UK) and last year's VAT.

[Delta Deano]

[TheRealVXed]

when i did mine I found that spray glue was fine in the small areas, however on the larger areas like the dash board Copydex is 1000x better as it is a "dry" glue, so you don't accidently get a blob of it and then a dark patch in the fabric ETA: How much do you get for £80?

Edited by VXed, 02 January 2011 - 10:03 PM.

[Ben NA]

I've done it. I just forced it in the areas around the radio and VX220 badge. The heater panel may need a slight cut in the cornerto get it to sit properly. I got geniuine alcantara which was new stock but quite old for £12.50 delivered. This was for a 0.5m x 1.33m piece. Spray glue was about £3 of ebay too. The main dash plate took freakin ages though!

[fred666]

Alcantara isn't a '2 way' material so won't stretch a great deal, but it will ease around curves nicely with the right glue. Spray glue wont be very effective come summer time unless its high temp.

[ferg]

Alcantara isn't a '2 way' material so won't stretch a great deal, but it will ease around curves nicely with the right glue. Spray glue wont be very effective come summer time unless its high temp.

..or in the winter with the heater on? After Googling some more, I found a few others said the same - also that the strongest possible glue should be used. Presumably this is most important when stretching the material into concave surfaces like the door-pull openings on the door cards. But specifically which exact product is recommended?

And does the material stretch easier if warmed up (or steamed??) first?


Edited to reply that £80 was for a 1m. length and the width is 1.4m.

Edited by ferg, 03 January 2011 - 07:56 PM.

[fred666]

A contact adhesive such as Dunlop Thixofix and a heat gun is ideal on vinyl and leather, i have to be honest ive only trimmed with alcantara once but im sure it would be just as usefull if spread a little thinenr not to come through the material... OR Timebond Contact Adhesive. One thing I'll say ,be patient. In the harder areas try to do a couple of inches at a time, as for in the door handle areas that will ideally need a seam stitching to get in cruves like that

[rsg]

Heres some door cards I did earlier this afternoon. Used some 3M spray mount to centralise the alcantara and a glue gun to glue the edges.

[Ben NA]

Looks good RSG Did you use a second piece of alcantara for the door pull?

[vauxhallade]

TO ALL YOU GUYS DOING YOUR OWN ALCANTARA TRIM. TRY & USE A23 HEAT RESISTANT GLUE USED TO BE CALLED S1358. MADE BY DUNLOP. IT WILL STOP YOU GETTING THE FABRIC LIFTING WHEN THE SUN DOES ITS WORK. I HAVE USED THIS FOR 30+ YEARS. BE CAREFULL THOUGH AS IT IS VERY TOXIC & INFLAMABLE. WEAR A DECENT FACE MAK.SHOULD COST ABOUT £12 FOR 1 LITRE OF IT. NOT TOO SURE ABOUT SPRAY GLUE OFF EBAY. I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU ALL. MIGHT SAVE YOU HAVING TO DO IT AGAIN. APPROACH YOUR LOCAL FRIENDLY TRIMMER FOR SUPPLY OF GLUE. PS YOU COAT BOTH SURFACES AND LEAVE FOR ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINS OR TILL TACKY BET DO A LITTLE AT A TIME AND MOVE ALONG AS YOU GO. GOOD LUCK

[oblomov]

And does the material stretch easier if warmed up (or steamed??) first?

On one of those progs on Sky that followed the making of supercars through the factory Farrari/Lambo/Audi etc (can't remember which one) it said to steam alcantara to get it to stretch fit and to use heat for leather.

[ferg]

Heres some door cards I did earlier this afternoon. Used some 3M spray mount to centralise the alcantara and a glue gun to glue the edges.

Wow, these look great, rsg and very reassuring to see that it IS possible to get a good result. What do you mean by "centralise"? Didn't you spray glue them over the entire surface? And did you first fix it to the handle cut-outs, or to the main surface? And how on earth did you manage to stretch the material and/or avoid wrinkles?? Did you need to use steam or heat?

Sorry for all the questions, but it's impossible to find a good guide on the net.

Apropos strong heat resistant glue, suspect that the stuff I already have probably doesn't fit that description, so I think I'll go for 3M 90 unless anyone thinks it's a poor choice. The more exotic ones aren't readily available to me over here.

[techieboy]

I think I'll go for 3M 90 unless anyone thinks it's a poor choice.

Pretty sure that's exactly what the upholsterer who did my dash in alcantara 4 years ago used. No problems with it so far. 3M 90 seems to be highly recommended when it comes to using leather trim in cars as well.

[ferg]

This one went well:

Edited by ferg, 06 February 2011 - 11:43 AM.

[ghand]

I decided it was not worth the hassle ,door trims being done this week.Double hand stiched on the curvy bits, nice grain black leather,proper job £130+ vat A bit expensive but should look good.The last job was a good diy but was never right round the door handle and door edge and the alacantra had faded badly as above.Red car ,red door trim which is now pink!!.It was going to cost me £100 for the stuff and i was bound to cock one bit up

Edited by ghand, 06 February 2011 - 12:31 PM.

[fred666]

ferg top job mate Ghand get some pics up with it all finshed.

[ghand]

ferg top job mate

Ghand get some pics up with it all finshed.

Ok will try but i am allergic to computers.Now Dont laugh,how do i post a pic? hey thought i said dont laugh.Pick door cards up friday.

Edited by ghand, 06 February 2011 - 01:38 PM.