Anyone ever use Vinyl fabric for their cab?

[rbarr110]

I had used a vinyl fabric to finish up some fiberglass work for the PC I put in my truck and it has held up well for over two years now (heat and cold).  This stuff looks kind of like leather dashboard material with a light textured pattern.

There are two kinds out there, one with a tight woven backing and another with a "fluffy" cotton like backing.  The cotton backed stuff is not good for adhesive type applications (more for sewing).

I am considering using the vinyl fabric for my cab, I would need about 8 yards and the price ranges from $7-$10 a yard at my local fabric shop.  Alot cheaper than most laminates. I found similiar material online for $16 a yard, OUCH!

The stuff worked well using 3M spray adhesive on the fiberglass work
http://customcarpc.dreamhost.com/  haven't updated site it in 2 yearrs 

Anyway wondering what you guys think.

[rbarr110]

Hmmm I'll take that as a no. 

I'll post a pic of my experiment with it soon.  So far it worked okay, just not sure about the lifespan.  If it holds up as well as my truck pc, I think it will be pretty good.

[rbarr110]

Ok - this is the top panel for my speakers on my cab: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=43665.0

Its is not really the cleanest install of the vinyl on the back side but no one will see that.   

When cutting out square/rectangle holes in the vinyl, for example speakers, I cut an "X" and use a hole punch in the corners so there isn't a cut end that can split as you pull it tight.  I glued the vinyl around the edge where the t-mold is using a piece of wood across the vinyl and clamping until the glue has set up.  When the adhesive has set up, I removed the wood and clamps and cut down the length of the t-mold slot.  The adhesive held the vinyl well around the corner and the t-mold over the vinyl will prevent the vinyl from peeling up at the edges.

[rbarr110]

Couple more shots.  ALso when the speakers are installed the inside corners where there is exposed MDF will be covered up.

[DaFoo]

  Interesting.

I wonder how it will play with your hand resting on it etc.

Looks cool with the t-molding, nice clean edge.

[rbarr110]

Ok - update.

My cab is now 95% covered with the vinyl marine grade fabric.  I have a 2,x2' panel on the back of the cab to do.  The cost was about $7 a yard and I used 11 yards.  With better cabinet design could have used about 8 yards.  The vinyl fabric comes in 5' wide length by whatever length you need.  I had alot of waste because of the size and shape of my side panels.

I'll post pics later tonight, I must admit it came out better than I expected.

[rbarr110]

Here are the pics - please excuse the filty garage....


you will notice in the second pick where I got impatient and screwed up the placement of my staple gun and the staples came out the front of teh MDF.  I plan on using some 3/4" x 3/4" aluminum angle as trim to cover that error up.

[rbarr110]

One more pic

[mahuti]

That thing's starting to look like the interior of my mustang.

I didn't use the stuff on my whole cab... but I DID use it on one of my CPs.

you can see it here