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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Upholstery materials

Some of the hardboard trim panels on the Frogeye are starting to show their age. Admittedly they were made some 25 years ago. But the excellent upholstery material shop in Salisbury has of course closed down and there is no comparable shop that I can find now. It was so convenient to go in there with a swatch and get vinyl sheet off the roll with a close colour match. I suppose I shall have to buy it online now, but who has some suggestions for good suppliers?

Also I have yet to identify the best adhesive. Ordinary contact adhesive always fails after a few years. Any ideas?
Les Rose

https://www.woolies-trim.co.uk
Flip Brühl

Les,
As the panels can be laid flat and curing time is not an issue I would use PVA - stretch the cloth over the glued panel then invert and weight the panels face down onto a blanket etc. When cured the return edges can be stuck with either PVA or contact.

This works for both foam backed and cloth.
Just coat the boards with a generous thickness of glue.

I did the whole of the headlining panels on my boat this way - recommended by vinyl supplier and supplied the gallon of adhesive.

I sealed the ply boards with varnish first to stop taking up water etc.
richard b

I tried various spray adhesives and they do tend to fail on wrapped over edges or profiles so the best adhesive I found (and recommended on here) is Thixofix which I spread from a tin.
Bill B

If the vinyl and backing aren't distorted or torn one can very effectively re-spray the vinyl. I used the below company who were very helpful and provided an exact colour match to a small sample piece I sent them.
https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk
GuyW

There is a commercial contact adhesive from carbuilder solutions which I have used successfully.
https://www.carbuilder.com/products/high-temperature-contact-adhesive. Its not cheap at £15.00 per ltr
Bob Beaumont

Use this. I used it on my Capri headlining, and on the door card' vinyl and foam backing.

It's good stuff. It works and it lasts.



"Item description from the seller"

"Introducing Trim-Fix, the ultimate adhesive solution engineered to tackle various fabric applications with ease. From headliner fabric to car seats, carpets to leather, Trim-Fix boasts unparalleled versatility, ensuring a secure bond on almost every type of fabric.

With a temperature stability reaching up to 110 degrees, Trim-Fix becomes the go-to adhesive for headliners, preventing sagging over time caused by heat exposure. Whether it's vehicle trimming tasks like headlinings, door trims, or carpets, Trim-Fix excels, offering exceptional flexibility and resilience.

Designed for seamless bonding, Trim-Fix adheres to a wide array of materials, including fabric, leather, foam, and carpets, connecting them effortlessly to various substrates like wood, metal, plastic, glass, or rubber. Its effectiveness extends beyond vehicles, making it a top choice for both manufacturing and refurbishing interiors in coaches, caravans, boats, and similar vehicles."

£8.67
Free delivery in 2-3 days

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404976659994


anamnesis

The temperature stability is probably quite important, a mate had trouble with some 3D printed parts warping in his car. When he measured the temperature he was getting 80C around the dash regularly on a sunny day. He changed the print material to a more temperature tolerant one and that seems to have solved the issue.

I expect the adhesive would see the same issue where it might creep and fail due to repeated high temperature if not rated for it.
David Billington

Thanks guys. I've ordered other stuff from Woolies Trim, and their quality is good. The nearest vinyl they have to my car is Jaguar Red, but it may look different. Perhaps they would send me a swatch.

I've used Trimfix and still have a can. The problem is really the edges. They always seem to peel back after a few years.
Les Rose

Twenty one years ago I used black vinyl from John Lewis on MDF board stuck down with a glue from East Kent trim. I am delighted to say that all is still as good as new.

Alan Anstead

This thread was discussed between 10/08/2025 and 11/08/2025

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