Author Topic: Starting Interior restoration  (Read 19473 times)

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #40 on: December 13, 2021, 07:00:17 AM »
Thanks, the logos were an after thought and for just $45 a piece, well worth it.

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #41 on: December 29, 2021, 07:32:39 AM »
More work completed, rear of car completed

5th T/A

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1511
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #42 on: December 29, 2021, 07:51:59 AM »
Rich,

Everything you have done has turned out really well. When finished it will look brand new or better. I am assuming you replaced the foam when you did the seats. I  would be curious to hear how the seats feel once you start driving the car. If they feel better or more firm.
1980 T/A with a Pontiac 461

Gone but not forgotten;
1973 T/A 455
1975 T/A 400
1978 T/A W72
1982 T/A cross fire injected

Two wheel toys;
2014 Harley Ultra Classic Limited
2013 Honda CB1100
2010 Yamaha Vmax
1982 Yamaha Seca 750

roadking77

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13523
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #43 on: December 29, 2021, 02:18:59 PM »
Indeed does look nice.
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #44 on: December 29, 2021, 07:19:00 PM »
Rich,

Everything you have done has turned out really well. When finished it will look brand new or better. I am assuming you replaced the foam when you did the seats. I  would be curious to hear how the seats feel once you start driving the car. If they feel better or more firm.

The foam was not replaced. The upholsterer said the foam was fine but would would bolster it so ya, it is thicker. I'm looking forward to sitting in it, I'll let you know

Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #44 on: December 29, 2021, 07:19:00 PM »

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #45 on: December 31, 2021, 02:55:36 PM »
Got new original hick panels and got the drivers in and the parking brake system back together. Now I have to take the heater box out to get the other kick panel in. Grrr. Should be smooth sailing after that.

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #46 on: January 19, 2022, 08:16:50 AM »
Work progresses slowly but in the home stretch, kick panels in and dash now in. Now to get motivated and finish this project.


TATurbo

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 821
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #47 on: January 23, 2022, 10:07:30 PM »
Congrats on the progress.  Be sure to seal up those kick panels well...I had to go back go back in a couple times 'cause I didn't know how important that goopy tar stuff was first time around.  The driver side leaked air bad enough that my left foot would get cold or hot depending on outside air temp, and the pass. side leaked like a sieve when I neglected to seal it first time around.   My passenger side still seeps a little water if I douse it while washing.
Good luck!

Can I ask...How far gone were your original red rear side panels?  We took a lot of time sanding and 'properly' refinishing ours...And they don't look terrible...but...there's room for improvement. Do you think your's might've been savable if you were staying red?
Tom
King of Prussia, PA

1981 Turbo Trans-Am
Build thread - http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=83354.0

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #48 on: January 24, 2022, 03:26:29 PM »
Can I ask...How far gone were your original red rear side panels?  We took a lot of time sanding and 'properly' refinishing ours...And they don't look terrible...but...there's room for improvement. Do you think your's might've been savable if you were staying red?

Basically all the plastic pieces were just gone. I had attempted to dye them several times with different methods and the paint would just peal off so all plastic pieces were replaced with new, I was done trying to make them work :)

TATurbo

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 821
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #49 on: January 24, 2022, 09:50:41 PM »
LOL, Thanks...Sounds like I'm walking that path now. Except I'm concerned about dying new black pieces red.

Again, congrats on the progress.  Keep at it.
Tom
King of Prussia, PA

1981 Turbo Trans-Am
Build thread - http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=83354.0

roadking77

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13523
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #50 on: January 25, 2022, 08:06:32 AM »
Sorry for the hijack again  :shock: But, Tom if you are dying the black panels red you may try to use a brown first. When painting walls red is one of the hardest colours to use as the base always bleeds through. We found the paint it brown first trick a few years ago and the red will cover with just a couple of coats.
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #51 on: January 29, 2022, 08:22:01 AM »
Got some more work done, a few gauges in and started working on the door panels getting the hardware put on...




5th T/A

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1511
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #52 on: January 29, 2022, 09:02:59 AM »
Rich,

I didn’t realize until you posted pictures that some parts of your interior were pretty worn out. All the new stuff looks great.
1980 T/A with a Pontiac 461

Gone but not forgotten;
1973 T/A 455
1975 T/A 400
1978 T/A W72
1982 T/A cross fire injected

Two wheel toys;
2014 Harley Ultra Classic Limited
2013 Honda CB1100
2010 Yamaha Vmax
1982 Yamaha Seca 750

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #53 on: January 29, 2022, 09:14:14 PM »
Rich,

I didn’t realize until you posted pictures that some parts of your interior were pretty worn out. All the new stuff looks great.

Yep, the plastic pieces were in very bad shape as well as the drivers side seat cover.

TATurbo

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 821
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #54 on: February 04, 2022, 09:52:47 PM »
Paint them brown first..Hmm...never would’ve thought of that.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll make a note of it.  My originals aren’t terrible...Replacing them
 is not high on my list.  If I don’t write it down, next season when I’m painting them I’ll have that feeling like I’m forgetting something .
Tom
King of Prussia, PA

1981 Turbo Trans-Am
Build thread - http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=83354.0

Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #54 on: February 04, 2022, 09:52:47 PM »

Wallington

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2473
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #55 on: February 11, 2022, 04:55:58 AM »
Were those embedded photos? No longer work as mentioned elsewhere.

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #56 on: February 21, 2022, 07:47:23 AM »
Gauges finally back in, have to re-wire the speaker wires for the radio then put the duct work back in and the dash is done. then on to more simpler things.

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #57 on: February 21, 2022, 07:48:04 AM »
Were those embedded photos? No longer work as mentioned elsewhere.

Work fine on my end, I see all the pics that have been uploaded here and other threads.

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #58 on: March 04, 2022, 06:33:04 AM »
Been awhile since I posted but things are coming together. Planning on having the car done by tomorrow.  And yes, the carpet needs to be cleaned  :) )

hakitup

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1245
  • What more do you need?
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #59 on: March 04, 2022, 10:20:08 AM »
Looks great

Tom H
"I don't know what you call it, I only know the sound it makes when it lies!!"

Jack

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12453
  • 1971 Esprit TA Clone W72 1972 Formula 68 350 HO
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #60 on: March 04, 2022, 10:49:37 AM »
Looking forwards to seeing some pics of the finished interior.




Regards, Jack

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #61 on: March 05, 2022, 08:03:53 AM »
All that is left are the door panels which I'll have done today..



rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #62 on: March 05, 2022, 08:04:33 AM »
Looking forwards to seeing some pics of the finished interior.

I'm planning on doing a quick video as well.

roadking77

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13523
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #63 on: March 05, 2022, 12:25:57 PM »
Looks really good Rich, and just in time to start enjoying it.
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #64 on: March 05, 2022, 09:14:07 PM »
It's done, I'll get some pics up and video as soon. As I get them transferred from my phone

Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #64 on: March 05, 2022, 09:14:07 PM »

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #65 on: March 06, 2022, 05:33:05 AM »
Pics and video, still need to replace the steering wheel but overall, it turned out pretty nice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgErm9MuVEw



5th T/A

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1511
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #66 on: March 06, 2022, 07:25:17 AM »
Congratulations Rich, now your interior looks as beautiful as the exterior. Should make driving down the road that much more enjoyable, like sitting in a new car!
1980 T/A with a Pontiac 461

Gone but not forgotten;
1973 T/A 455
1975 T/A 400
1978 T/A W72
1982 T/A cross fire injected

Two wheel toys;
2014 Harley Ultra Classic Limited
2013 Honda CB1100
2010 Yamaha Vmax
1982 Yamaha Seca 750

Jack

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12453
  • 1971 Esprit TA Clone W72 1972 Formula 68 350 HO
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #67 on: March 06, 2022, 08:53:24 AM »
Very nice, congrats you did a great job.




Regards, Jack

MNBob

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2019
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #68 on: March 06, 2022, 10:03:13 AM »
Congratulations, it all looks great.  Front seats look really nice with the birds at the top.
1979 TATA Extreme TKO .64
Hedman elite; Pypes 2.5; Borla XS; MSD 6A; Performer intake; open scoop; Sniper QJ;  110 Amp Alt; 4 core radiator/Mark VIII fan; RobbMc mini starter; subframe connectors; solid body mounts; fiberglass rear springs; poly sway bar and link bushings; 81 master; D52’s; Blazer disks; 225/60 & 235/60 17's TrueContact's; relays for PW, PDL, lights; keyless entry

TATurbo

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 821
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #69 on: March 06, 2022, 09:39:44 PM »
Congrats! Looks awesome. 
it's definitely 'right' for the car.   I hope you get a lot of time to break in the new seats this season!
Enjoy!
Tom
King of Prussia, PA

1981 Turbo Trans-Am
Build thread - http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=83354.0

ryeguy2006a

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6090
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #70 on: March 07, 2022, 08:50:54 AM »
Great job Rich! What an amazing transformation.

1976 Trans Am LS1 and much more...SOLD
1968 Camaro LSA, T56 Magnum, and much more...SOLD

Current Project: 1955 Nomad LC9, 4L80e, C5 brakes and etc...

roadking77

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13523
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #71 on: March 07, 2022, 03:06:33 PM »
x4
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

JCS76TRANSAM

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 113
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #72 on: March 07, 2022, 07:16:37 PM »
X5.......Congrats Rich!!! The interior looks awsome, great job. I too really like the birds on your seats.

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #73 on: March 08, 2022, 07:05:13 AM »
Another cool thing, after six months of sitting, she fired right up and drove great. What a dependable car.

roadking77

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13523
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #74 on: March 08, 2022, 07:17:59 AM »
The true testament of the good ole 400! 
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

Jack

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12453
  • 1971 Esprit TA Clone W72 1972 Formula 68 350 HO
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #75 on: March 08, 2022, 10:04:13 AM »
Did you disconnect the battery or install a charger during that time?




Regards, Jack

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #76 on: March 08, 2022, 01:12:28 PM »
Did you disconnect the battery or install a charger during that time?

I had a trickle charger on the battery.

rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #77 on: May 28, 2022, 07:07:16 AM »
Added new steering wheel and shifter plate. Next will be new gauges, ordering them this week.


rkellerjr

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6757
  • When you turn your car on does it return the favor
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #78 on: May 28, 2022, 07:37:18 AM »
Here are the gauges from NVU that are pretty much direct replacements but modern behind the scenes that I'm ordering.

https://newvintageusallc.mybigcommerce.com/70-81-firebird-cfr-red/


Jack

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12453
  • 1971 Esprit TA Clone W72 1972 Formula 68 350 HO
Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #79 on: May 28, 2022, 03:04:41 PM »
I love the gauges especially the 8k tach and 140mph speedo.




Regards, Jack

Re: Starting Interior restoration
« Reply #79 on: May 28, 2022, 03:04:41 PM »
You can help support TAC!