[caddycruiser]

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]

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]

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.

 

[not_lt1]

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.

My 93 has torn fabric on the driver side b pillar as well but the plastic underneath is black rather than the light grey fabric on it. I think the plastic would have been better to begin with if they had padded it like the front seat armrest. I can't really think of a way to repair it other than going the spray adhesive route as when replacing headliners in a pickup. It was done cheaply - almost like a Cavalier.

 

[jayoldschool]

You can get foam-backed headliner material at fabric stores like JoAnns. Remove your pillar cover, strip the old fabric, spray the piece and the back of the fabric with contact adhesive like Super 77, cover/stretch/trim. It will look brand new.

 

[MoistCabbage]

:yeah:

Joannes's Fabrics has a very limited selection of colors, and it's pretty cheap looking material. You can get better stuff online if you want a near perfect match.

 

[outsider]

Yeah, I got a roll of black vinyl material for like $30 on ebay and used it to do the pillars and the dash in my 69 Calais. Easy to do and came out pretty good. If I were to do it over again I'd do a better job but for a first attempt it was pretty good. If I can do it, anyone can.

 

[larryinalabama]

Every big city has a uphoulstry supply store, a yard of headliner materal is only about 12$, and can of spray on glue is about $. I put a headliner on my 90 when I first bought back in 2002, and its still there.

 

[cadillac kevin]

Also, for adhesive, use 3m super 77. Stuff works amazing