By Mercedes Torres
Sequence
Think about the sequence you want your interior done in... you are better off getting all interior aspects that you plan on having done by a professional done together. You may be able to save some money on labor because it will be easier to get to the carpet, dash, console and headliner out while the seats are already out.
This is especially true with replacing carpet.Think about the sequence you want your interior done in... you are better off getting all interior aspects that you plan on having done by a professional done together. You may be able to save some money on labor because it will be easier to get to the carpet, dash, console and headliner out while the seats are already out.
Design and Planning
Have an idea of what you want with respect to design and fabrics before your initial design meeting. If you have questions about this please see my article on "Creating a Custom Interior Idea Book" for some ideas on how to do this. During the initial design meeting make a list of the things that should be done before the car arrives at the trim shop. Don't forget important items such as wiring, location of radio, TV's, speakers, lighting systems, gaming consoles and any other technology that will be added to the vehicle so that these items can be implemented into the design.
Have an idea of what you want with respect to design and fabrics before your initial design meeting. If you have questions about this please see my article on "Creating a Custom Interior Idea Book" for some ideas on how to do this. During the initial design meeting make a list of the things that should be done before the car arrives at the trim shop. Don't forget important items such as wiring, location of radio, TV's, speakers, lighting systems, gaming consoles and any other technology that will be added to the vehicle so that these items can be implemented into the design.
Gadgets and technology
If you are building a custom car or rewiring a vintage vehicle make sure to do this before it gets to the upholstery shop. A few guidelines on wiring and technology include:
If you are building a custom car or rewiring a vintage vehicle make sure to do this before it gets to the upholstery shop. A few guidelines on wiring and technology include:
Wiring
Leave extra slack around kick panels, keep the wiring clean, organized and tied up as much as possible and make sure wiring around the steering column is running up and behind the column so that it can be easily hidden.
Leave extra slack around kick panels, keep the wiring clean, organized and tied up as much as possible and make sure wiring around the steering column is running up and behind the column so that it can be easily hidden.
Entertainment Systems
Make sure all wiring for Radio, T.V., gaming consoles, iPads, speakers, etc. - these additional technologies are in place before the upholstery work begins or at least put in your Hot, Acc, and ground. Plan and wire any amps. Run CD cables, RC cables and Din cables. Stub speaker's wires.
Make sure all wiring for Radio, T.V., gaming consoles, iPads, speakers, etc. - these additional technologies are in place before the upholstery work begins or at least put in your Hot, Acc, and ground. Plan and wire any amps. Run CD cables, RC cables and Din cables. Stub speaker's wires.
Custom consoles, speaker boxes, enclosures
If the trim shop will be making custom consoles and special mounting in door panels and other areas of the car make sure the upholstery shop is involved or at the very least consulted regarding the wiring requirements for your specific design. This will save you time, money and frustration later on.
If the trim shop will be making custom consoles and special mounting in door panels and other areas of the car make sure the upholstery shop is involved or at the very least consulted regarding the wiring requirements for your specific design. This will save you time, money and frustration later on.
Seats and Seat Belts
If you are performing a complete restoration and will be purchasing new seats, I would recommend that you consult the upholstery shop doing the trim for advice on proper fit and seat options. Seat belts should be ordered from the manufacturer rather than having them made by an upholstery shop. Because the manufacturer has superior equipment and technology, it's just a safer option.
If you are performing a complete restoration and will be purchasing new seats, I would recommend that you consult the upholstery shop doing the trim for advice on proper fit and seat options. Seat belts should be ordered from the manufacturer rather than having them made by an upholstery shop. Because the manufacturer has superior equipment and technology, it's just a safer option.
Window and Door mechanisms
Make sure that all window and door functions are working properly. For new builds, windows and door mechanisms should be installed, wired and working properly before the trim shop gets the car.
Make sure that all window and door functions are working properly. For new builds, windows and door mechanisms should be installed, wired and working properly before the trim shop gets the car.
Heat Shields and Insulators
Heat Shields and insulators are usually not part of the estimate provided by the upholstery shop. Talk to the upholsterer if you require these additional products as they should be installed before carpeting or seats are put in the vehicle. If you are doing this yourself or with another shop make sure that it is installed and glued down properly as it can have an affect on the carpet installation.
Heat Shields and insulators are usually not part of the estimate provided by the upholstery shop. Talk to the upholsterer if you require these additional products as they should be installed before carpeting or seats are put in the vehicle. If you are doing this yourself or with another shop make sure that it is installed and glued down properly as it can have an affect on the carpet installation.
Head Liner
Determine which style you will be using. Original bow or hardboard sculptured. Keep in mind that the original bow look is classic but does not allow for overhead wiring.
Determine which style you will be using. Original bow or hardboard sculptured. Keep in mind that the original bow look is classic but does not allow for overhead wiring.
Scheduling & Communication
Get in touch with the upholstery shop at least two months in advance, preferably even sooner. Due to the time consuming nature of interior projects most shops will typically be booked anywhere from two to six months out. The best shops may be booked even farther out. The earlier you call the better your chances are of getting your project done by the trim shop of your choice. Show cars and Antique vehicle owners generally want the best of the best working on their cars, if you are one of them start thinking about the interior months in advance.
Get in touch with the upholstery shop at least two months in advance, preferably even sooner. Due to the time consuming nature of interior projects most shops will typically be booked anywhere from two to six months out. The best shops may be booked even farther out. The earlier you call the better your chances are of getting your project done by the trim shop of your choice. Show cars and Antique vehicle owners generally want the best of the best working on their cars, if you are one of them start thinking about the interior months in advance.
A good rule of thumb would be to start contacting shops two to six months before you expect the car to be ready. Give yourself some extra time. If you think you will be ready in a month odds are the car won't be ready for two months. That's okay as long as you are realistic with the time you set with the upholstery shop. If the job is going to be set back by another aspect of the project make sure to keep in touch with the upholstery shop.
I know this seems like a lot of work on your part but it will save you aggravation later on when you take your car in for the interior and it's moved back because you couldn't make your initial appointment or even worse it's squeezed in between other jobs. It's a lot easier to wait another month or two then to be squeezed in. Being squeezed in means the car will be with the upholstery shop longer than you anticipate, sometimes months longer. Your car deserves proper attention and quality should not suffer because of lack of communication.
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