Okay - I've got this idea for a custom-colored interior. And nope - I ain't tellin'! But it does involve covering the Pony door panels...

I plan to have leather upholstery made and want the door panels to match. I could of course just spray-dye the door panels, but I want to completely rule out covering them (in matching leather) first.

Anyone ever covered an area as complex as these door panels? They have so many compound curves around the integrated arm rests - it looks as if it would be really difficult. Maybe best left to the pros (?) Is heat used to stretch the leather to make it conform to the shapes? I think American Hot Rod has made it look too easy; and I also think I'm talking myself out of it as I type this!

 

It's a job for the pro's. It can be done, but, yeah, it's tricky.

BTW, steam works better than straight heat, if you have it available. Spent 5 years managing an upholstery department for a commercial furniture manufacturer...

 

I just checked into this two days ago. Up here they stated that I could either use abs plastic or thin wood. Stroked66 used the abs plastic and it came out great. I am leaning towards vinyl since it is 30 cents /inch for leather in WA state or a 10X20 inch section of leather =$70.

 

I thought the inner quarters on the convertible were fairly complex as far as the curves go and the top shop near me had no problem with those. The backside has a bunch of interesting cuts that I think a "pro" would be best at.