[TR] Suggestions? TR3A Cockpit Trim Install

Wed Mar 1 02:29:01 MST 2017

Getting material to adopt strange shapes without puckering or creasing and to leave an overall satisfactory appearance can be daunting to anyone not used to handling it. I had the same problem myself some years ago and called on the advice of a person who recovers domestic chairs for a living – especially large leather armchairs. His advice and practical suggestions were incredibly helpful. Maybe there’s a tradesperson in your neighbourhood who might call around one evening after work and would be willing to share a 6-pack – without actually doing the work for you and thus incurring a cost?

Good luck

Jonmac

From: Triumphs [mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Geo Hahn
Sent: 28 February 2017 21:07
To: Kinderlehrer <kinderlehrer at comcast.net>
Cc: Triumphs <triumphs at autox.team.net>; Henderson_L-D at kingston.net
Subject: Re: [TR] Suggestions? TR3A Cockpit Trim Install

Looks familiar.

Those photos are from when I did mine about 17 years ago.  The jig & vise gives you that 3rd hand you're looking for.

I had soaked the leather in hot water for an hour or so and also used a heat gun to keep it warm and pliable as I worked.

I used spray on contact cement (3M 8090 as I recall) as that works fine even if things are soaking wet.

Here's an interim photo as the stretching is just getting started:

The board looks like a 1x4 but I know I used some shims to steady the piece and a couple of nails to keep it in place.  You want it secure as you're going to wrassle pretty hard to get it to take that compound curve.

Once you get as far as the last of Bob's photos you've got it licked and can wait (and rest) until it partially dries before tucking it under.  Gores and darts will be needed to keep it from getting too thick and bunched up on the inner/under side

 Once it is pushed on the car body it will be so tightly clamped that the glue is really redundant.

Geo

On Tue, Feb 28, 2017 at 1:35 PM, Kinderlehrer <kinderlehrer at comcast.net <mailto:kinderlehrer at comcast.net> > wrote:

Here are some pictures I got from someone on the TR list that illustrate a fixture that is helpful in getting the material stretched onto the base.  As I recall, my biggest difficulty was with the ends but I can’t say I have much advice on how to get them neat.

Hope this helps,

Bob 

From: Triumphs [mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net <mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net> ] On Behalf Of Brian Thomas
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2017 11:57 AM
To: Triumphs
Cc: Henderson_L-D at kingston.net <mailto:Henderson_L-D at kingston.net> 
Subject: [TR] Suggestions? TR3A Cockpit Trim Install

Hi all,

A local club member is currently installing a new vinyl kit on the cockpit trim of their 1961 TR3A.  All has gone well until they came to the doglegs.  They asked me for advice but as I last did this about 40 years ago, I don’t remember anything but that it was difficult to get rid of the wrinkles and three hands might have been useful.  I may have used a hair dryer to aid in softening the material but again can’t really recall.  

If anyone has done this recently or can offer any hints to Larry and Diane, it would be most appreciated.  

Their email is    Henderson_L-D at kingston.net <mailto:Henderson_L-D at kingston.net> 

Thanks,

Brian

_______________________________________________________________________

   Brian Thomas                           E-mail:   ThomasB at QueensU.Ca <mailto:ThomasB at QueensU.Ca>  

   92 Wyona Lane, R R 1              Phone:   613-385-1947 <tel:(613)%20385-1947> 

   Wolfe Island,  Ontario                Toys:   54 TR2,  56 TR3,  67 TR4A,  01 XKR,  

   CANADA   K0H 2Y0                                 75 John Deere 920

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