a couple of people have pm'ed me asking how to make door trims. i'll try my best to explain and if anybody has questions just ask
step 1 : is to design how you'd like your trim to be, i've always been a fan of classic style interiors and im a big fan of newton commercials trims but they cost a fortune to get over here. also i like two tone in the cooper style door trim
step 2. grab your vinyl (no real need for leather on door trims) and cut out what size you need leaving around 50mm-100mm excess around the edges (keeping in mind as you stich the lines the trim will shorten quite a bit)
also at this stage cut out some foam (from clark rubber, either 5mm or 10mm thick depending on how plush you want them to be) to the same size. also repeat that with some calico or bed sheet as backing for the foam
stepstep 3. get some foam fast adhesive 3M, its a really good quality product but costs upto $38 a can, and spray the bed sheet and foam lightly and stick them together. the reason why we do this is because your sewning machine's walking foot cant actually grip foam and also if you didnt have the sheet underneath the stiches would pull straight thru the foam. now once you've done that lay the vinyl ontop of the foam and pin around the edges. do not attempt to stick the vinyl to the foam as it just puckers badly.
step 4. mark out your lines with a straight edge and pencil. you can use pen (easier to see but you have to make sure your good at straight lines) and trace your lines with your sewning machine. i start from the inside 2 lines and work my way out .
step 5. once you've done all that sew around the edges
step 6. presto, you've got a nice door trim fitting them is easy because its not like other more solid ones, i also use aero grade sound deadening behind the trims
step 7.when making rear door trims use your old one as a template and cut out a new one with a jigsaw or bansaw if you have one and make it out of 3mm ply wood. it wont warp and you'll get a nice press fit when fitting. to make up the cover is the same as with door trims.although in this case when you have your cover and ply wood spray your glue around the edges of the timber and vinyl and let it tac off, then start pulling and sticking the vinyl and glue together, and when you reach curves start cutting out triangles so that the vinyl doesnt gather up to much.
tell me if i missed anything