Guide How to Reupholster The A2 Sun Visor

[2work]

Evening all,

After my recent breakthrough on understanding how simple it was to separate the 2 halves of the A2’s Sun Visor, I thought I’d compose something for you all to follow.

What’s the reasoning behind this, well you may have seen that last year I reupholstered the headlining in Project OEM. This was something that was high on the list of things to do as it was already sagging/hanging down when I purchased the A2. The fabric was touching the boys heads and they wasn’t impressed.

Well… Whilst I was searching for the best fabric to use I soon realised that it was impossible to locate an exact match to the factory material. I was able to get a perfect colour match but it was the incorrect texture. I could find the correct texture but the colour was a little lighter This lighter fabric with the correct texture to it is what I decided to choose as it was the best all rounder.

So the headlining was completed last year and it looks fabulous but the A and D Pillars along with the Sun Visors no longer matched the colour of the headlining material. This is why I had to persevere and separate this item to reupholster it so it blends in beautifully into my cabin.

Let’s start off with what I’m tackling this evening:

Doesn’t look pretty does it!

Here’s the tools I use to separate the 2 halves:

A couple of trim removal tools that I’ve had on the garage for some time which rarely see the light of day.

More to follow…

 

[2work]

Continuing…

Note: Before hand I ensured I gave the Twist plastic frame a good clean as I didn’t want to get any cleaning product onto the fabric during cleaning afterwards.

Here’s how I separated the 2 halves of the Sun Visor.

Initially inserted the trim opening tool where you can see it in the picture below, let’s call this position 1:

Position 2:

Position 3:

Position 4:

Position 5:

Position 6:

Position 7:

Position 8:

That’s all for now as run out of room for further pictures.

More to follow…

 

[2work]

Continuing…

Position 9:

When you’re having a go at this yourself you may find that you the 2 halves separate with less or even more positions as I’m sure it was less last time I done it.

Regardless of how many positions you need, you’ll eventually have Sun Visor opened up ready for surgery:

The 2 halves and the internal metal plate laid out ready for the next stage which is the cleaning of the internal metal plate:

Prior to cleaning I removed the old fabric from both sides:

One side will come off quite easily as it’s the same foam backed fabric as the headlining. The other side is Facing Fabric which is not foam backed and it’s adhered very well, persevere as it will come off. Be careful not to bend the metal plate. If you do end the metal plate just lightly hammer it flat.

Next up was the actual cleaning.

On this occasion for OEMs Sun Visors I chose what I had to hand which was an old paint scrapper along with some Elbow Grease. I soaked the internal plate in said Elbow Grease and popped back indoors for a beverage whilst it works it’s magic on the greasy residue:

You can try many different products to remove the remaining foam and adhesive. Most cleaning liquids will work. Once the Elbow Grease has soaked in I then began to use the old paint scrapper:

Kept scraping until all soggy old gunk was removed:

Next up was to take the metal plate indoors and wash it down in the sink (without being caught by 250’s owner) then back into the garage for a little preparation:

The red electrical insulation tape was applied to keep the tabs clean and easier to remove the new fabric prior to sandwiching it in its home.

More to follow…

 

[2work]

Continuing…

Next on the agenda was to get the fabric laid out and adhesive applied:

Followed by applying the adhesive to the metal plate and leaving them both for 5 minutes to cure a little:

The adhesive I’m using (and have done so for many years) is TrimFix High Temperature Spray Contact Adhesive. Remember that this is contact adhesive and you only get one attempt, if you place the plate on incorrectly you may struggle to remove it to place it where you first intended. Take you time. If you’ve been following them you should have have something like this right now:

All you need to do next is trim the fabric all round the edges and don’t forget the 6 grooves. A Stanley knife isn’t the best for this. I used a craft scalpel type knife as it’s a little sharper and is easier to use for a precise cut.

Once all trimmed repeat by laying out the next run of fabric, cover it in adhesive, not forgetting to also coat the metal plate, leave it to cure for 5 minutes the place the metal plate onto the fabric. Again, using your blade of choice to trim the excess material.

Next up is to sandwich your freshly reupholstered metal plate back in between the 2 halves you separated some 30 minutes ago. I used superglue and was quite liberal with it. I may not be able to separate it in again in the future!

To hold it in place and to ensure a good bond I used some clamps (more the merrier):

And here it is fitted back into OEM, finally matching the freshly (last year) reupholstered headlining:

Hope this helps some of your out whilst I continue to prepare to do this for you along with your tired headlining.

I must admit, the final 2 pictures really don’t do justice to the way it looks here in person. I’ll swap these pictures out in the morning.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[johnyfartbox]

Nice job Tom,

 

[2work]

Nice job Tom,

Thank you John,

I still cannot believe it took me so long to realise how easy this task actually is. The finish really is factory fresh.

Both Sun Visors were reupholstered from the cutout segment of fabric from the OSS opening. Waste not want not!

Very happy with the outcome.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Erlingtheyounger]

Brilliant indeed. Also a fantastic guide for anyone handy enough to want to do it themselves. ?

 

[2work]

Brilliant indeed. Also a fantastic guide for anyone handy enough to want to do it themselves. ?

Thank you Erling,

Still kicking myself for not realising how easy it is to separate the Sun Visor. I really do hope this is of use to someone out there.

It’s just my take on it and there is possibly a better process to follow but not found anything on our pages so far.

I’ll update this little thread if or when I refine my process.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Nagah]

Thank you Tom!

 

[2work]

Thank you Tom!

Morning,

No problem at all. It took me quite some time to understand how easy a task this was. I have envisaged cutting the 3 shapes out and adhering them in pmace but wasn’t that happy with that process. I knew it would be easier and longer lasting to replace the fabric each side as just one price but could t separate the 2 halves of the sun visor. Got there in the end after a grave lull though.

Glad this guide might have become useful to someone. The key to success with adhering headlining and facing fabric is all in the preparation; make sure the metal plate is immaculate before proceeding with offering the new fabric to it.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Clackers]

Just fallen upon this thread, should come in handy when I reupholster my keepers headlining.
Cheers for the pictoral thread, a picture paints a thousand words.
Andy

 

[2work]

Just fallen upon this thread, should come in handy when I reupholster my keepers headlining.
Cheers for the pictoral thread, a picture paints a thousand words.
Andy

Morning Andy,

Glad this thread has become useful again Sir. Always happy to share my finding and of course it joys me to know I’ve possibly helped someone out.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[2work]

Evening @rasA2,

This is the thread mentioned over PM where you’ll understand how to reupholster the sun visor. Only basic trim removal tools required to achieve absolute perfect results.

Good luck and feel free to ask any questions.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[rasA2]

Evening @rasA2,

This is the thread mentioned over PM where you’ll understand how to reupholster the sun visor. Only basic trim removal tools required to achieve absolute perfect results.

Good luck and feel free to ask any questions.

Kind regards,

Tom

This looks mint!

does anyone have any pictures in black or a darker colour? currently my car headliner in a bad state along with the sun visors
has anyone painted the plastic surrounds in black?
Many Thanks

 

[2work]

This looks mint!

does anyone have any pictures in black or a darker colour? currently my car headliner in a bad state along with the sun visors
has anyone painted the plastic surrounds in black?
Many Thanks

Evening,

I’m quite sure Bob @Jellybean painted a set of sun visors black. Guess he’ll be along shortly to show your pictures but if not I’ll have a look on here later on as I’m sure they’ll be someone on these pages.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[2work]

This looks mint!

does anyone have any pictures in black or a darker colour? currently my car headliner in a bad state along with the sun visors
has anyone painted the plastic surrounds in black?
Many Thanks

Hello again,

Not quite what you’re after but some ideas on the below list led thread:

Headlining revamp

Yesterday I took the headlining, plus A and D Pillar covers out of Jelly. Then it rained.... Today I have stripped the parts of their coverings, and measured up for material. Too late to go back now! Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

www.a2oc.net

Edit: Have a look at this thread, scroll down for the pictures:

Hello Again. Again.

Hi All, I'm not sure if I really need an introduction thread. Having had my pride and joy written off last year when a stupid woman parked on my car I couldn't bring myself to buy another. Well until the weekend when I picked this up. 1.4 petrol with no options other than a Black roof...

www.a2oc.net

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Jellybean]

Thanks for the compliments Tom. Yes, it still looks as good as when I installed it. Got a headlining coming along for Smurf in a light cream velour. Plastics will be in a similar colour, mixed to match the velour. I just need James to work his magic on the roof switches. 4 x downright led's already installed in the front roof light panel.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

 

[rasA2]

Hello again,

Not quite what you’re after but some ideas on the below list led thread:

Headlining revamp

Yesterday I took the headlining, plus A and D Pillar covers out of Jelly. Then it rained.... Today I have stripped the parts of their coverings, and measured up for material. Too late to go back now! Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

www.a2oc.net

Edit: Have a look at this thread, scroll down for the pictures:

Hello Again. Again.

Hi All, I'm not sure if I really need an introduction thread. Having had my pride and joy written off last year when a stupid woman parked on my car I couldn't bring myself to buy another. Well until the weekend when I picked this up. 1.4 petrol with no options other than a Black roof...

www.a2oc.net

Kind regards,

Tom

WOW thanks those sun visors in black

Hello again,

Not quite what you’re after but some ideas on the below list led thread:

Headlining revamp

Yesterday I took the headlining, plus A and D Pillar covers out of Jelly. Then it rained.... Today I have stripped the parts of their coverings, and measured up for material. Too late to go back now! Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

www.a2oc.net

Edit: Have a look at this thread, scroll down for the pictures:

Hello Again. Again.

Hi All, I'm not sure if I really need an introduction thread. Having had my pride and joy written off last year when a stupid woman parked on my car I couldn't bring myself to buy another. Well until the weekend when I picked this up. 1.4 petrol with no options other than a Black roof...

www.a2oc.net

Kind regards,

Tom

WOW those sun visors in black on point! got to be done

so either Aldi Matt Black paint or Matt black Plastikote

 

[Jellybean]

WOW thanks those sun visors in black

WOW those sun visors in black on point! got to be done

so either Aldi Matt Black paint or Matt black Plastikote

I used Plastikote, Satin finish on the sun visors, grab handles, sunglasses holder and roof light frames. I will put some pics up later.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

 

[rasA2]

I used Plastikote, Satin finish on the sun visors, grab handles, sunglasses holder and roof light frames. I will put some pics up later.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

fantastic! looking forward to the pictures