Repro/replacement interiors Best for fit/colour?

[dubdubz]

I may be getting an earlier than my xover bay, but the interior is seen it's best.

It's a 68 push button door handle, and although I could go for waiting around on thesamba,vzi and here - I'd rather go with decent repro set....

I'm not adverse in buying from states have a friend who can take delivery/ship for me.....

so best

1.front seat covers [normal bucket type not a bench]
2.door cards to match
3.westy roof canvas [ok slipped that in]
4.carpet set for cab

please if you can post links or pics so I can research - many thanks



Dubdubz

 

[dubdubz]

anyone? TMI , Newton or independent?

shipping isn't a problem as they could 'hitch' a ride

 

[dubdubz]

it's sad u know having to reply to my own threads! :lol:

I have researched if you can call it that on thesamba - it appears that TMI do not get the best press although it could be a case of only the problems get seen, and they must shift a lot of covers.
Everywhere seems to stock TMI, in US it's WW, Busdepot and here it's JK and VWheritage [plus others of course]

has anyone installed a TMI kit and has an opinion good or bad?

The door panel's get quite a pasting [TMI] saying they don't fit, rubbish glue, poor instructions and incorrect fixing holes??

I think that as I would like a reasonable looking and lasting solution, independent may be the way forward although sewfine gets rave reviews - they could be like the Newton here?

better look at costing the sewfine up against a recommended one from here [although tricky as search function didn't really help and no one loves me enough to reply here :lol:]

thanx

ps if I didn't search correctly and there is a thread that you know about covering the above - please put me right on the error of my ways

D

 

[Bookwus]

Hiya dub,

It's been my experience that TMI doesn't really seem to care whether they get it right or not. That may be because they are the only game in town when it comes to repro seat coverings. Sew Fine is really more into custom look interiors and does not have the capability (last time I checked) to pleat vinyl as is required in repoping original basketweave seat coverings for an EarlyBay.

The pleating format that TMI uses is not the original format. If you can live with that the material is great, the choice of colors is adequate (not keyed into VW colors though, so you have to some actual eyeballing of the colors with samples in hand) and workmanship varies but is generally acceptable.

Yes, I have installed a two tone Bus interior (seat coverings only) from TMI. I didn't do the door cards because they did not offer and would not do the three color cards found on a Deluxe style Bus. During the installation the vinyl on the front passenger seat ripped. TMI did not want to replace the seat vinyl. Apparently, they would only replace both front seats as a set and that would have cost me more money. My local FLAPS intervened and got TMI to make good.

Botton line on TMI for me is this.............a generally acceptable product backed up be lousy service. If I had an alternative source I certainly would, at least, look into using it.

 

[dubdubz]

thanks bookwus - are u UK or stateside?

it does appear to be the case that basketweave isn't available in a decent product in terms of manufacterer and aftersales.

WCM used to do a surefit range but I'm picking up from threads that they don't do this now....Wolfsberg west stock tmi and they get billed as a reputable source of good quality stuff.....?

I think that it looks like that basketweave - in almost original colours and nearly to the same patterns is just TMI only no one else in the frame...which can't help their apparent lack of 'not caring'

I'm going to keep serching for a bit longer!!

thanks

I may try and get to see a TMI sample, the interior is shot and not able to be restored so I may well go the other way and do an interior which is obviously not stock or trying to be [a bit like my crossover 'trying' to be an EB!! ]

 

[dubdubz]

anyone else? what colour would have been in early 68 westy's? campmobile?

 

[hipshaker]

i've got a panel set i bought from newton, chestnut brown weave that looks nice (to me anyway). the cab door panels fit well, there is one hole on each that doesn't line up. the other panels are in, but there are holes not matching on both the sliding door and big panel opposite. the tailgate one is the main problem as only 4 out of 14 holes any good. it is going back and they are sorting it without any reluctance.

they sent a sample of the material for me to look at. their price is about £300 for the set. they can cover kick panels to match too.

will post pictures at some point.

 

[dubdubz]

i've got a panel set i bought from newton, chestnut brown weave that looks nice (to me anyway). the cab door panels fit well, there is one hole on each that doesn't line up. the other panels are in, but there are holes not matching on both the sliding door and big panel opposite. the tailgate one is the main problem as only 4 out of 14 holes any good. it is going back and they are sorting it without any reluctance.

they sent a sample of the material for me to look at. their price is about £300 for the set. they can cover kick panels to match too.

will post pictures at some point.

is that basketweave like the originals? pictures would be very good

 

[hipshaker]

a few pics:

 

[Bookwus]

Hiya dub,

thanks bookwus - are u UK or stateside?

I'm in the USofA

WCM used to do a surefit range but I'm picking up from threads that they don't do this now....Wolfsberg west stock tmi and they get billed as a reputable source of good quality stuff.....?

Well, as I mentioned before, TMI seems to be the only game in town and the product is an acceptable (if not OEM quality) one. Hooking up with a reputable seller (like Wolfsburg West) is essential in dealing with TMI. As I mentioned before, my FLAPS was able to get TMI to do the right thing.

I think that it looks like that basketweave - in almost original colours and nearly to the same patterns is just TMI only no one else in the frame...which can't help their apparent lack of 'not caring'

Definitely the case.

I may try and get to see a TMI sample, the interior is shot and not able to be restored so I may well go the other way and do an interior which is obviously not stock or trying to be [a bit like my crossover 'trying' to be an EB!! ]

Yes, make sure have samples in hand if you are trying to match colors or you will wind up disappointed.

 

[dubdubz]

thanks bookwus -going to go for seat covers....which is small outlay in relative terms

i've 'spent' more than the $139 trying to work it all out :lol: