5 GT Turbo Rear interior fabric

[Guido]

I assume this is quite a common fault on most 5's but does anyone know what causes the interior fabric in the rear door cards/near the armrests to fall and come away?
Is it just a case of re-securing with stronger, UV resistant adhesive or is it caused by the fabric perishing and shrinking?
If anyone knows where it is possible to find the exact fabric to match then please let me know, most upholstery specialists are saying that it's not possible to source.

Thanks in advance

 

[GTTurbo]

Hi buddy, the fabric is formed/shaped to fit the rear cards and then over time a combo of the glue drying and the fabric reforming causes this issue.

I have tried re-doing 2 sets now with very strong fabric glue but given up both times.

I have also searched high and low for the same material but to no avail. I currently have phase 1 rear cards.

My next option is getting them flocked by Phoenix motorsport in Cambridge.

 

[Brigsy]

You can stretch the fabric and re glue it fairly easily it takes patience though. I used spray glue on mine years ago

 

[Guido]

Thanks to you both, appreciated.

I'll see what the state of the fabric is like once I've got the cards out, if its pliable and can be reattached then I'll go down that route, if not then I'll let you know if I have any success sourcing similar or a best match.

 

[Guido]

First 5 minutes of searching brought me to this site:
https://www.myfabrics.co.uk/81-9471-054_fine-corduroy-18.html?$category=c0v02et3hsf

A swatch will be needed to compare but from the pictures which I know often show something entirely different, it doesn't look too far off.
Possibly too dark and the cords a little thin?

If not then hopefully Woolies will be able to point me in the right direction.
http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/

 

[Guido]

I've had a search on the forum for posts showing how to remove the rear door cards, so I can get to work on the rear interior fabric, without luck.
Has anyone done this, and have any pointers for a step by step guide to remove this trim or is it best looking for a Haynes manual?

Thanks in advance

 

[Guido]

I'm looking for a guide on removing the rear trim to enable me to remove the rear door cards - to then reattach the loosened fabric.
I couldn't find anything in the 'Guide' section on the Forum and was wondering if this might be detailed in the Haynes Renault 5 manual?
If not, is anyone able to give some pointers on how to get these rear door cards out please?

Thanks

 

[Guido]

No takers? any advice appreciated

 

[Norwich Nick]

Should be in the Haynes manual although it may advise removal of the sill and b/c pillar. From memory they're held on with push fit clips, only bolt that needs removing is the seatbelt anchor. Fairly sure I used to just pop the pocket/ashtray (whatever you have fitted in them) out and give it a tug but I may have left the t25 screws out! They're fairly simple so can't go far wrong

 

[andybond]

No takers? any advice appreciated

If you do decide to do it , take some pictures and write us a guide !

@Adey @Mart @BigSteveRaider @Brigsy @John popplewell @Jonny5 any tips ?

 

[Guido]

Cheers Nick & Andy, I'll order a copy of the Haynes manual and see if it is covered.
I've searched a few other sites and most recommend to use a glue like this:
Amazon product ASIN B00E98FVTYObviously needs to be a certain consistency so it doesn't weep through the fabric, that would be a pita.
I'll be sure to do a write-up when I finally get round to doing it, which might be some time though!
Thanks

 

[Guido]

Update on this. The trimmer I went to (DS Thompset, Cambridge) was unable to get the original fabric to stretch and refit. He tried cold-washing and a number of other techniques without success.
So I’m now trying to source the best fabric match for my interior - grey corduroy style.
I’ve now learnt that the cars’ interior corduroy is grey “13 Wales”. Wale is the measurement for corduroy and relates to the ridge count per inch, mine being 13.
With that information, I’ve been able to find a few options.
The original one has but 21 wales per inch: Fine Corduroy 18 - grey - Grunge - Minimal - Fine Wale Corduroy - myfabrics.co.uk
This one is a much better match, at 16 wales per inch: Dots N Stripes

I’ve ordered samples and will see how it compares.

Cheers

 

[ChrisGTT]

Great stuff keep us updated!!
I do have some good condition rear cloth that I bought as a job lot of stuff if anybody needs it.

 

[GTTurbo]

Yes keep us updated matey - I still need to sort a set out.

 

[Guido]

Right, the second option shown above with 16 wales was by far the better match, not identical as it is marginally darker (maybe the sun has faded the original fabric over the years though) and with 3 more wales but really after searching high and low it's the best I have found. So is now being fitted.
Given that it's a cotton, not polyester it is therefore not stretchy and the fitter I'm using is having to cut and sew in the harder to reach areas, in the sunken armrest area for example. The originals would had been cut, glued and then pressed to the fibreglass panel on the assembly line in a mould and therefore hard to exactly replicate. Having said that I am confident that he'll do a good job.