[Camaro_QC]

Attempting to do my own red knee pads.

I had wrapped my stock plastic ones using Vvivid leather textured wrap to get a feel if I liked it or not. Wasn't really sure at first so I got the black ones knowing it would be better than plastic. Ended up somewhat missing the red accent when I installed the black but really wanted the vinyl/leather/leatherette look with the top French stitching.

So I decided to borrow my sister's sewing machine and decided I would try to wrap my own. It might be a complete failure, but I think it's worth a shot. Plus, since they were wrapped, I can test my skills and bond over the wrap and if it ends up looking like shit, I just have to remove the wrap and nothing is lost. And I only paid like 12$ for the material, which I have enough to make like 4 complete sets... so plenty of trial and error.

Below you can see my first try (I have never sewed anything before). Still some stuff to fix:

- Need to ensure that I don't have too much material on the corners to avoid wrinkles
- Need to find a way to sleek that double layer of material where the stitch is. Maybe by adding a thin layer of foam to make it soft like the OEM ones are.
- Need to improve the straightness of my sewing lines and ensure they are constant (not having the machine jamming in the middle of a line and getting the thread looking weird

Here are some pics. For a first shot, I give myself a 6/10. I wouldn't install on my car with less than a 9 haha.

If you have tips, please let me know!

[Camaro_QC]

Thinking about it, I might try to add some felt underneath both sides of the stitch. The thickness is relatively the same as the material and it would add that soft touch to it. I'll try that tomorrow.

[arpad_m]

This is pretty good, I think felt padding is a great idea and will add the suppleness you want.

Have you thought of using contrasted stitching instead of red on red? You could even use a darker red thread to help accentuate the stitching, I bet it would take this to the 9/10 level you require .

[Camaro_QC]

The darker stitching is a good idea. I might try that. I was trying to replicate the OEM ones as much as possible.

[Camaro_QC]

While buying the darker thread, I also got a piece of vinyl that has a different texture. I looked at the pictures of a red set and it seems like they have that texture. I'll give it a try.

[Camaro_QC]

Second try. I used a darker stitch and felt underneath the material. I think it's the way to go. Still need to work on making straight lines and wrapping the corners without wrinkles. But the glue I am using is not the best one.

[Sheriff37]

Looking great so far, I think the darker stitching was definitely the way to go

[ToeKnee Sea]

I made set a couple months back. Yours came out much better. My error was buying leather that was too thick for the job. End result was the sharp corners were impossible to get right. Had them on the car for a couple days before buying a used GM set cheap.

Once I got the GM set home, I saw how they did the corners and sides and found I was very close to how they did it but was unachievable with the leather I had.

[Camaro_QC]

Toeknee Sea, these were pretty good. I found out that making little cuts on the material helps to wrap the corners by overlapping the material. But that requires a hell of a great glue

Gonna go to the hardware store and buy a stronger contact adhesive and give it another try.

[ToeKnee Sea]

Originally Posted by Camaro_QC

Toeknee Sea, these were pretty good. I found out that making little cuts on the material helps to wrap the corners by overlapping the material. But that requires a hell of a great glue

Gonna go to the hardware store and buy a stronger contact adhesive and give it another try.

yeah I used some great contact cement. used paper binder clips to hold the leather in place while drying and small vice grips with leather on either side as to not mark up the leather.

[Camaro_QC]

Where I work, they do a lot of upholstery, and they don't have to hold anything; contact cement should dry out and then, once you make those 2 surfaces touch, it should bond instantly. Like no chance to try to move the leather around.

I'd like to use the actual spray adhesive I have which hold e ouch for the center and then use that kind of contact cement for the edges where I don't need to reposition my material.

[Camaro_QC]

Ok so I did make another attempt. This time I used the other fabric I bought.

It came out freaking good! Like a 9.5/10.

Pictures will tell it all!

I paid 60$ for everything, but I have the contact cement to make multiple pads, and fabric to make multiple as well. Knowing the quantities required now, it would be not much than 40$ for this.

Way better than the 400$ GM asks for!

[arpad_m]

Now we're talking, this is absolutely amazing. Congratulations on your perseverance

[Camaro_QC]

I'm very happy on how they turned out.

Finally it wasn't because I wasn't able to make them, but mot because I didn't have the right material for the kind of job I was doing.

I'm done 3 pads now, gonna finish the other one tomorrow evening and hopefully I'll be able to see the final result installed in the car this Sunday!

Thanks arpad_m.