I'd like to do a black suede headliner and paint the waterfall and some other interior pieces to color match my BSP.

Questions are, how hard is it to do the headliner and pillars in black suede? I believe suede does not stretch much so it could be difficult. What kind of tools would I need? Where could I get suede and whats a good price? How much would I need? Think this is something I could pull off in my apartment or on the porch if I've never done it before?

I'd also like to get the "oh ____!" handles, etc. black so that the interior of the car is pretty much blacked out. I am going to leave some of the waterfall silver like the radio cover and maybe a few small other things so that its not overkill on the black. I don't know how hard it is to take out these pieces and send it out like some of the members on here do, so I'll more than likely end up getting a shop to do this. Living in an apartment and having limited knowledge and no tools sucks!


Any info or tips etc. is appreciated so much, I'm looking to do a nice interior upgrade, and I have yet to do anything to the interior.

 

That's more than a couple questions. :p

Re-upholstering the pillars is fairly easy, doing the headliner is difficult. Tools are simple, your hands (and probably someone else's), scissors/razor blade, clamps, and a socket set and screw driver (for removing interior panels).

You can get suede at most fabrics stores or from an online vendor. Prices vary considerably, but you get what you pay for. Expect decent quality material to be at least $25/ yard.

Bare minimum for the A, B, and C pillars and headliner is like four yards. If you're doing it yourself, you should buy extra.

It is possible to do in an apartment, just depends on you. It will be difficult and frustrating.

Taking the waterfall out is simple, pull. Just be carefull with the wires back there.

 

Well, for the headliner would I buy one piece wide and long enough to cover the whole thing and then cut out where the moon/sun roofs are or would I have to buy two pieces and put them together down the middle?

 

how much does it take to only do the a/b/c pillars?

 

One piece. It'll be harder to do, but there wouldn't be any seams.


SoleLaced-

You can do the pillars in a couple hours.

Edit-
I'm dumb. A yard and a half should do the pillars.

 

what kind of adhesive is best to use for the pillars and headliner?

 

 

I just read in another thread that the 3M #90 doesn't stick well onto the stock pieces and that it leaks through?

 

YMMV.

 

ymmv? sorry i'm still a newbie to all the short talk on forums ><

 

You mileage may vary.

Basically, different people will get different results. Material, preperation, experience (or luck), all factor into how well the project goes.

 

oh okay. Thanks for the info....next up is how da heck to remove the headliner, the "o snap" handles and those dinky hanger handles? Sorry for so many questions ><

 

The headliner is tucked beneath the pillars, lights, hangers, and handles. There's also some velcro like stuff around the sunroof and some plastic pins. Just start at the hatch and slowly work the headliner off. You'll see all of the obstacles except for the velcro stuff.

There are little flaps on the handles that cover bolts/screws (can't remember) that hold them in place. The hangers either just pop out or have a bolt/screw somewhere, I'd have to go look.

 

awww man all that for the headliner eh? gonna be one hard thing to get off and hard to lay down the suede on it haha.

Last but not least is...how do i get the A-pillar safely off w/out damaging it? I read in another thread that if you damage it...re-installing it is okay but it'll be forever flimsy or something......any idea on that?

 

Yeah, removing the headliner is a hassle.

If you don't have airbags, the A-pillar just pops off and on. If you do have airbags, removing the A-pillar is more difficult. There's a tab that's not supposed to be re-useable. If you're carefull with taking it out there shouldn't be a problem. The tab is tough to pop out but with patience you can get it.

 

now i say having the 08 tC officially sucks haha =P jk jk

any idea of where the tab is located?

 

I don't recall exactly, I'm thinking it was about 3/4 the way up.

 

okay. Thank you for all your help. Greatly appreciated.

really wish there was a DIY on removing the headliner though ><

 

uhhh... ohh.. you have an '08?? awww crap... removing those pillars aren't gonna be fun... :?

 

Yeah removing them is a pain.........and I busted my clip and had to go get another one from autobody supply store..........after that I decided to forget the headliner and just adjust the doors and inside to blend with the grey..........new fabric on doors coming summer 08.