Black Interior Conversion

[Homer]

So this will be an ongoing thread. I recently scored a complete black interior from a 1990 240 for 55$ in Omaha, NE. I'm tired of the blue interior I've got currently.
First project was to reupholster the nasty hatshelf and faded black seatbelt covers. Also ordered some MB Quarts for the front and rear.

Current interior.
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn319/ipdvolvo245/Picture1501.jpg
Replacements for the tired Bostons up front and upsizing the 4" Audax that were in the rear deck.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2894.jpg
Bought some Ultrasuede.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2902.jpg
You can tell the cover on the right was the first one I did. I might redo it to clean the corner seam up a bit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2907.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2912.jpg
Took those in B&W because color was making it look brown. Stupid camera.

[the poi]

thats black alright

[700volts]

looks neat.....do they sell Ultrasuede at fabric stores or what?

[Homer]

Yeah. I got mine at Joann. 21.99 a yard I think. Go look by the upholstery section.

[OldSchoolEuro]

You'll be happier with a black interior thats for sure. And already detailed too! :-P

[Karl Buchka]

Digging the suede! You doing the headliner in the same stuff?

[Homer]

Digging the suede! You doing the headliner in the same stuff?

Yeah I think I will. Maybe the A,B and C pillar trim as well.

[m4ld0.^]

I REALLLYYY want to put some micro/ultra suede on my dash and rear deck when I get the money to throw some decent 6x9's on the rear deck.

How hard was it to get all that suede looking nice and smooth with no wrinkles and what not?

AGH. I really just want to do everything in the suede.

[Vee_Que]

Awesome, I've got some grey suede here waiting for me to recover the current tan stuff in my 760.

And yours looks awesome so far. doing the pillars is very worth it imo.

[.t.i.m.m.y.240]

Are we talking a simple matter of just using some spray-adhesive and laying it on? I'm interested....

[the poi]

Are we talking a simple matter of just using some spray-adhesive and laying it on? I'm interested....

No you have to soak it in epoxy, apply it, then vacuum bag your entire car.

[.t.i.m.m.y.240]

No you have to soak it in epoxy, apply it, then vacuum bag your entire car.

well $hit, I don't have enough vacuum bags.....:grrr:

answers that question.

[norcal505]

looks sweet.
i would do the same if my tan interior wasnt flawless.

[Homer]

well $hit, I don't have enough vacuum bags.....:grrr:

answers that question.

Haha, He's joking.
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=56&subid=127&plid=532
Find that. 16$ a can. With 55% VOCs you know it's good!
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/common/graphics/products/loctite/productshots/Item_1781.jpg

[.t.i.m.m.y.240]

I know, and thanks!

[BottleOfSmoke]

Haha, He's joking.
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=56&subid=127&plid=532
Find that. 16$ a can. With 55% VOCs you know it's good!
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/common/graphics/products/loctite/productshots/Item_1781.jpg

Just be careful if you decide to use vinyl. I covered my rear deck in black vinyl and the spray adhesive melted the first yard. I was using Permatex or Super 77 though. What a mess.

Carpet is the way to go on a rear deck, IMHO, but I really love that you upholstered the seatbelt retraction mech. covers. Looks great, let's see it in the car!

[m4ld0.^]

Yay, I have a new project...and it's gonna be black too.

[The Aspirator]

Don't forget to swap your vin plate onto the new dash, I forgot and now I think it's gone for good. Argh.

The suede looks pimp!

[Mr.Borrie]

suede is pimp

[dmcgee]

I have a full set of the black suede/leather seats out of a V70R that would look awesome in your car..:)

you should buy them..

[Bonerjams240DL]

So glad my interior was full black from the factory. It's the only way I like the 240 interior, purely black. Looks awesome, good luck with the swap. It'll be worth it in my opinion :)

[towerymt]

Replace that awful steering wheel with a suede one while you're at it.

[Homer]

Don't forget to swap your vin plate onto the new dash, I forgot and now I think it's gone for good. Argh.

The suede looks pimp!

I've already had the 93 dash in there for a while now. The whole dash setup is already black. That's the hard stuff to find in good condition.

[Lucky the Smiling Pirate]

i would love to suede my interior, but i just can't find anything stretchy enough that I wouldn't be disgusted with multiple seams on some of the pieces.

[Homer]

i would love to suede my interior, but i just can't find anything stretchy enough that I wouldn't be disgusted with multiple seams on some of the pieces.

Yeah, It looks like I will have some issues on the C pillar cover. I have a few ideas though.

[JW240]

looks good :)

[Homer]

Installed. Also, no rattles from the seatbelt covers is just magical.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2922.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2919.jpg

[OldSchoolEuro]

Looks sexy man.

[Homer]

Thanks, C-pillar solution. Seams where the yellow lines are with the following stitch.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2934copy.jpg
http://www.upgrademytoyota.com/contrast_stitch.jpg

[Alex Buchka]

That's quacktastic

[amargill19?]

looks good man,

i have an uncracked black dash in mine too, top half is black, bottom is tan. Car is mostly tan interior. I've been swapping the odd bit here and there too.

that's some pimping suede.

[Morley]

p0rn.

[Lucky the Smiling Pirate]

Thanks, C-pillar solution. Seams where the yellow lines are with the following stitch.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2934copy.jpg
http://www.upgrademytoyota.com/contrast_stitch.jpg

good luck with that.

I'd almost rather just butt my seams really good there. it could definitely look nice if done well tho.

[.t.i.m.m.y.240]

In general, whenever you need to do anything to the c-pillar, do have to pull the headliner?

[Mr.Borrie]

i am gonna follow this

[Homer]

In general, whenever you need to do anything to the c-pillar, do have to pull the headliner?

Nope.

Apparently the fabric is still on sale. Gonna go buy whatever they have left!

[Tenacious Todd]

Looking real good MAN.
Lordy Lordy itz a 240!!

[Turbosteen]

Nice! Will this stuff be any good in sunlight for a few years?
Oh, and do they have something similar in green? haha

[ZVOLVO240]

looks nice homer. now all you need is the ever-ellusive black headliner

[Homer]

looks nice homer. now all you need is the ever-ellusive black headliner

Well that's why I'm going to cover my headliner in suede.;-)

[blkaplan]

Well that's why I'm going to cover my headliner in suede.;-)


Homer, how could you! That's not a factory authorized accessory kit.

[Homer]

Part# 3711891

[DustyLBottoms]

Don't forget to swap your vin plate onto the new dash, I forgot and now I think it's gone for good. Argh.

The suede looks pimp!

You can get a new one from Volvo, and I'm pretty sure it's free. If you PM me your address I can e-mail you the order form. Take it to your local Volvo dealer and they'll help you.

[The Aspirator]

Really? Neat! John@CravingBoost.com, send it on over please.

[Morley]

Homer, how could you! That's not a factory authorized accessory kit.

Cough. Volvo has the black head liner IN STOCK. Just checked. :-P

[Homer]

Just did the A-pillars. School started up again so I've had plenty to keep me busy.
Anyway,
Finished DS pillar.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2943.jpg
Brief how to.
Cut suede to rough size
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2944.jpg
Spray adhesive on.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2945.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2947.jpg
Wait 2 min then apply material to A-pillar. Start at the middle and work your way out. Take your time. I had an issue I couldn't fix getting it to stretch properly on the top.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2948.jpg
Using a good pair of scissors, cut relief cuts on the corners.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2949.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2950.jpg
Spray adhesive on the back for the tabs to adhere.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2952.jpg
Wait two min and fold the tabs over, pulling the fabric tight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2953.jpg
Voila!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2954.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/StereoGuy430/IMG_2959.jpg

[the poi]

oh my god so soft

[ZVOLVO240]

It looks nice. too nice. I would still worry about it peeling eventually though.

[the poi]

It looks nice. too nice. I would still worry about it peeling eventually though.

no reason to worry if you prep the surface correctly and apply the adhesive correctly. same way the glue **** onto other things at the factory. you know, with glue

[Homer]

Yah, this glue is insane. insane

[Homer]

Ended up redoing the PS pillar. The wrinkle was bugging the **** out of me.

[.t.i.m.m.y.240]

About how much fabric have you bought for this project? I'm going to do this to my car, I've always wanted to do a black interior and now I don't have to buy the OEM pieces! Don't worry, I won't steal your suede-tastic idea. :-P

[Homer]

I'm still on the original 2 yds I bought for the rear shelf. I have enough to do the B pillars tomorrow. I need to call the store and see if they got more in for the headliner and C pillars.

[.t.i.m.m.y.240]

I'm still on the original 2 yds I bought for the rear shelf. I have enough to do the B pillars tomorrow. I need to call the store and see if they got more in for the headliner and C pillars.

:omg: only 2 yards? That's insane, how much was the suede? I assume it's on the pricey-er side of things.

[Homer]

:omg: only 2 yards? That's insane, how much was the suede? I assume it's on the pricey-er side of things.

21.99$ a yd normally, they have a half price sale going on now though.

[BottleOfSmoke]

Joannes usually has a very nice marine-grade vinyl for $12.99 a yard that I like to use for various projects. It is thick though, it would be hard to do pillars with. There is a much thinner vinyl they sell that would work for upholstering such stuff, but you have to be VERY careful with the spray adhesive, or you'll melt it.

One day I'd like to tear into a 240 and re-do the entire interior with new fabric. I'm thinking red vinyl and suede for the insides of my black 244.

[.t.i.m.m.y.240]

Little lady at the fabric store ordered a roll of black suede for me today! Should be in in about two weeks and should cost $20/yd unless it goes on sale (hoping it does!!!) Don't mean to be a rip-off but this project is too cool for me to pass up!