Interior Upgrade

[Velict]

I've been getting some minor things put together to start refurbishing the interior of my R32 gtr.

I have a few questions before I start tearing the inside apart. What material is used underneath the faux-leather the dashboard, door panels, and rear upper and lower interior quarter panels? I'm lead to believe they are plastic, not fiberboard, if i'm not mistaken?

[junkie]

Never poked around the r32's but all Nissans of the early to late 90's era would have a plastic dash and door panels covered with vacuum formed vinyl and a thin layer of foam underneath

The other trim pieces, especially the smaller stuff, would just be textured plastic

[Velict]

Sounds good to me. This means I can start ripping all this junk off and cutting out some templates with the old pieces of vinyl.

[GH05T]

what are your plans?

[Velict]

Phase one is stripping the dashboard of the vinyl, and gluing / fitting the covers. Here are pieces as follows that I want to start replacing.

If anyone has a review on the quality of gaiter items, let me know. I have their boots and they're not bad at all.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RED-STITCH-DASH-DASHBOARD-LEATHER-COVER-FITS-NISSAN-SKYLINE-GTS-GTR-R32-89-94-/231233484167?hash=item35d696f587

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FITS-NISSAN-SKYLINE-R32-R33-R34-COVER-LEATHER-RED-STITCHING-/350993661067?hash=item51b8da3c8b

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RED-STITCH-MANUAL-GEAR-SURROUND-SKIN-COVER-FITS-NISSAN-SKYLINE-R32-89-94-/391174100695?fits=Plat_Gen%3AR32&hash=item5b13cb16d7

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/red-stitch-FITS-NISSAN-SKYLINE-R32-89-94-GTS-GTR-DOOR-HANDLE-COVER-/231153497638?hash=item35d1d27626

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RED-STITCH-FITS-NISSAN-SKYLINE-GTS-GTR-R32-89-94-2-X-REAR-DOOR-CARD-TRIM-COVERS-/390764920477?hash=item5afb677e9d

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/red-stitch-FITS-NISSAN-SKYLINE-GTS-GTR-R32-89-94-2-X-DOOR-CARD-TRIM-COVERS-/390765736158?hash=item5afb73f0de

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RED-STITCH-2X-WINDSCREEN-PILLAR-COVERS-FITS-NISSAN-SKYLINE-GTS-GTR-R32-89-94-/390807880240?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5afdf70230

http://www.superior-cia.com/product/141seat covers

[Sinista32]

Personally I think it will look like arse when all together using the Gater stuff except the Handbrake boot and gearstick boot.

Go the Nismo seat covers. They are really good. A+

A, B, C panels are plastic and the c pillars can be very brittle - be careful on removal.

All clips break easily

As for the doors they are compressed fibre type timber or as you put it fibreboard.

the heat from a heat gun will remove pretty much all the vacuum sealed material. Getting the glue off is a different matter. Mineral turps or similar and a lot of rubbing

I hope it turns out well for you

[Velict]

I'll do very small pieces at a time. Also, now that I know, i won't use the Gaiter stuff. What are y'alls opinion on just repairing the dashboard instead of tearing it apart? A new dashboard is too expensive.

Edited August 19, 2015 by Velict

[Sinista32]

Something you may wish to try first.

Remove the material inserts on the front doors and rear passenger panels. clean the glue residue off with turps

Get a reasonable quality interior paint pressure pack (or 2) of the closest colour to the interior door colour you can find.

Remove door cards and rear cards and spray. Let dry and replace.

Labour and about $50 bucks.

Win/Win

[Sinista32]

How bad is the dash. Just the bubble ?

If so easily repaired with a Syringe and the biggest needle you can get which I think is 2mm.

See where I am heading with this .....

[Velict]

The only issues i've found so far, a bit annoying. But, shouldn't be too much of a hassle for just a repair. Something legitimately permanent.

[Velict]

I live in Japan, so I'm not sure exactly what turps is. I'll try to use some goo gone and alcohol.

[GH05T]

just for funzies and inspiration.

this guy.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Muse-Design/433434836695733?sk=timeline

http://www.museconceptdesign.com/

[Velict]

[Hornet2572]

I live in Japan, so I'm not sure exactly what turps is. I'll try to use some goo gone and alcohol.

Turpentine - Available in most hardware shops or even supermarkets

[Sinista32]

Dash definitely needs a full recover

or a newie for just over $1000 Aud.

Being in Japan you most likely get it cheaper than we can

[Velict]

I'll worry about a full recover some other time. I guess the dashboard will be the last thing to get work done to it, (since of it's price)

I replaced the speedo cluster facia today with a new one. Looks great. But, the switches actually have bulbs in them! I didn't know this. Does anyone have a proper LED replacement for the TSD 077 3mm incandescent bulbs? Maybe a guide that someone can point me to? Thanks in advance.

[WantGTR]

Im always a bit dubious about ebay 'upgrades' like this. The interior is one of those things where if you dont spend the proper amount of money it really shows.

Im in the process of tidying up my interior too. And spent a small fortune on renewing certain areas and im not quite finished yet.

Just remember you get what you pay for and 'bolt on' is never quite what it seems

[GH05T]

yeah im very dubious about how those ebay things will look in real life.

even top gaiters can be hit and miss, i got a gearstick boot which was a bit off. good condition genuine parts almost always look best unless your spending propper money of good materials made to fit.

and if your doing something customer i would always go for good material.
like alcantara or flocking a dash mmm

[WantGTR]

yeah im very dubious about how those ebay things will look in real life.

even top gaiters can be hit and miss, i got a gearstick boot which was a bit off. good condition genuine parts almost always look best unless your spending propper money of good materials made to fit.

and if your doing something customer i would always go for good material.

like alcantara or flocking a dash mmm

yeah i believe my car has a ebay spec gear stick and handbrake trim. looks cheap AF. i will end up buying these new from nissan. i only have a small list to go until my interior is respectable. the item i can tolerate is the dash. its about 95% in good condition. i am tossing up between looking for a good original or flocking it. also tossing up between a genuine nardi deep corn or retrimming the factory gtr wheel.

[junkie]

I would recover the dash with new vinyl. quite a common job with old cars, they use pretty much the same vacuum process as the factory. as long as the colour and grain are close, the result will be pretty awesome and better than stitching pieces together and ending up with wonky seams and bulges

here is an example:

http://dashboarddoctor.com.au//beforeafter.html