Material & Carpet

[1970bayboy]

Hi Guy's ,
Well I think I'm gonna do my own carpet, so does anyone have an idea of the best place to pick up some non-fancy carpet?

Also I would like to put vinyl like material like the cheap stuff on the seats on the interior panels of the bus does anyone know where i can get some of that type of material .

And some suggestions on how-to would be appreciated in the panel dept, my bus came with interior wood paneling cut to the correct shape . So i figure i will just spray some adhesive on them , maybe add some 1/4 " thick foam then spray adhesive and stick on the vinyl . But i have never done this so any tips or
" your crazy let someone else do it" 's would be appreciated

Joby

[coronabus]

Joby, definitely a DIY project! I did all my panels myself and I had never done anything like it before. I had my OG panels which I used to trace onto 1/8" MDF (strong yet thin enough to bend around curves). You could probably use you existing panels.
I bought my vinyl from Fabricland, get the membership it'll save you a bunch. I made mine two tone white and yellow to match the exterior. I used 3M spray adhesive and glued them directly onto the MDF panels.
Here's some pics of my cargo door panels.
1/8" MDF (Rona), I chose white on one side. Traced then cut with a jig saw.


The vinyl cut 2" larger than the panel, ~ 2 1/8" on the height to allow for seam.


Seam sewn using nylon thread and upholstery needle on sewing machine.


Spray glue the white side of panel and back of vinyl, glue together leaving even overhang all around of vinyl. I found it easier to make relief cuts on the overhang and especially around curves and corners. Spray the back side of overhang and back outside edges of panel, then pull edges over, glue on back.



Both cargo door panels completed.


Kick Panels, done the same way.


Front


It's pretty straight forward, just take your time and measure alot! I'm guessing if you wanted to use foam it would be much the same, just glue the foam to the panel, then the vinyl to the foam. You'll obviously need to increase the size of your vinyl to account for the added thickness. Go for it man, and good luck!

[karmann57]

^^^ Good advice from Paul.

I haven't had a chance to go look for carpet yet but I was going to check out Home Depot / Rona as I seem to remember them having large rolls on site, just cut to what you need. I'm sure most flooring stores will have something as well. Remember the advice about getting the carpet edging from Home Deopt, etc as well (I think it was rico).


Shane