Interior B-pillar trim Solutions

caddycruiser · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-05, 11:43 PM

As many of you are probably all too familiar with, one of the most commonly seen "issues" on '93-96 Fleetwood's (maybe also earlier, I'm just not familiar with them) is the rather pathetic fleece material on the interior B-pillars being worn and, most often, torn. Every '93 we first looked at had at least the driver's side one ripped open--the one we bought, and now have, being the only one that wasn't torn on either side, save for a one or two spots where it had worn really thin.

Now, however, upon my arrival home from college for the week, I noticed that one of the thin spots on the driver's side one has ripped open into about a 2" tear--kinda ugly.

So, since this is such a common problem, I'm curious to see what, if any, solutions/fixes people have used. I showed it to my father today and his first instinct was "Hmm, I guess we could just get some matching material at a fabric store and re-upholster them", but I'm wondering if anyone has ever just ripped the fabric off and left it bare or painted them? I saw a project pic once where someone had done so, and painted them to match, but never saw the final picture.

Strip, paint, or new fabric? I guess new fabric wouldn't be too hard and would keep the stock look, but I'm still not sure whether another route might instead be the ticket. Suggestions?

Wheels · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-05, 12:08 PM

Mine are not torn but are wearing thin. I plan on buying enough matching leather when I cover the Rivera console to use the extra to cover the b-pillars. I also plan on removing the fabric from the passenger side a-pillar ( has matching plastic under fabric) and buying a 3 gauge pillar for a Impala SS (grey) for the drivers side and dying it to match the passenger side. I never looked but the b-pillars might have matching color plastic under the fabric also.

caddycruiser · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-05, 03:39 PM

Oh, I guess I didn't realize that--that the plastic pillar trim is already matching color plastic underneath. I think to improve upon the look and more effectively match pieces like the door panels, covering them in new leather would be a great idea, or even just matching vinyl.

Same with the A-pillars, as mine aren't really worn thin at all per say, but have faded from the original deep red to sort of a gray, purple color on the sun side. Not really worried about changing those, at least not right this minute.