by Jon Mikelonis
Foreword
If you're a Do-it-Yourselfer like me, then you've acknowledged
the fact that some jobs are better left for the experts. No
matter how proud you may be or how badly you want to make
a personal stand against shows like Unique
Whips and Overhaulin',
sometimes you need to summon the help of a professional in
order for an upgrade to be done right. In the case of engine
building this doesn't mean you need to run out and order a
crate motor. What it means is that it's OK to have an experienced
tradesmen port your cylinder heads while you make the component
selection, take the proper measurements, and assemble your
own motor. In the case of interior restoration it means it's
OK to work with an upholsterer while you remove the old interior,
choose the new fabrics, install the carpet, design the bucket
seat brackets, dye the seat belts, paint the door panels,
and assemble the whole thing.
In this fifth installment of Project MX, I'll be demonstrating
the creative methods I used to freshen up the interior of
FordMuscle's 1972 Mercury Montego. Although I do not claim
to be a worthwhile candidate to work in Will Castro's shop
on Unique Whips, I do claim to be an dedicated hands-on Ford
enthusiast who is determined to do as much work on his own
car as possible. So, while Will and the like perform their
magic for an A-List of of "important" clients from
Hollywood and professional sports, you and I will continue
to work for an A-List of clients that include ourselves and
the one's identical with us. Let's get started in this two
part series of DIY interior design.
Teardown
Heck, if Chris Jacobs from Overhaulin' can teardown an
interior then so can you and I. We've all seen interiors like
this before, mold ridden carpets, multiple tones of stink,
and mistmatched Pick N' Pull replacement parts.
Besides being from a car other than the Mercury Montego,
the front bench seat was collapsed and torn.
|
|
Inspired from George
Washington's Mt. Vernon Estate, the pasely rear seat
upholstery was formal enough to entertain lords. I had
to get rid of it. |
| |
|
|
The headliner was in suprisingly good shape considering
the rest of the interior. A keeper in my book. |
|
I wasted no time and removed the primary source of passenger
repellant. |
| |
|
|
No goodies under the stock carpet. I've grown accustomed
to finding some relic during these digs. Nothing this
time around.
|
|
Ebay and Pick N' Pull yielded some green molded plastic
door panels, visors, kick panels, and a center console
made for a column shifted Ford intermediate. All but the
visors needed color treatment for a uniform look. |
Plastic and Vinyl Painting with SEM Flexible Coatings
FordMuscle readers advised me about SEM
Products Inc. for rigid plastics and vinyl when I needed
a method for changing the color of the interior parts for
Project MX. SEM flexible coatings can be found online or at
local auto body and paint supply shops. SEM's Color Coat in
"Cordovan Brown" (PN 15023) was just the color we
needed to blend in with the existing dash and headliner. The
flat finish was spot-on original in its appearance. There
were a total of 12 interior pieces that need the SEM treatment
for this job.
(2) Plastic Front Door Panels
(2) Plastic Rear Door Panels
(2) Plastic Kick Panels
(1) Plastic Center Console
(1) Vinyl Console Pad
(2) Vinyl Armrests (Front Door Panels)
(2) Vinyl Armrests (Rear Door Panels)
If you're sketpical about painting interior parts, let me
show you how the SEM flexible coating system is different
from the can of Krylon Vinyl Paint you find at the chain store.
Here, I'll demonstrate on just a few of the pieces we needed
to coat.
Local Auto Body Shop Suppliers typically carry a rack
on the floor of SEM Color Coat aerosols. The display
includes a color chart as well. I compared the chart
to the dark brown visors to determine that "Cordovan
Brown" was the best match. |
|
To do the job right and rise above cheap vinyl paints,
SEM offers a complete system for changing the color of
plastic and vinyl. The prep products serve to remove contaminants
and promote adhesion. |
| |
|
|
I got started with the center console. Texture, age, and
cigarette ash build-up meant the console needed a thorough
cleaning. |
|
Before I started cleaning with the specialized SEM Soap,
I wiped off the sludge with warm soapy water. |
| |
|
|
Once the bulk of the dirt was removed, I began cleaning
with SEM Soap (PN 39362). |
|
Since the console was textured, I took a tooth brush to
areas that appeared to be sheltering 30 year old toe jam. |
| |
|
|
Once the console was clean, it was time to rinse and dry. |
|
SEM Plastic Prep
(PN 38354) is designed specifically for hard to remove
oil and dirt. The product leaves no residue so rinsing
is not necessary. |
| |
|
|
This picture shows that even after washing the console
with detergent and SEM Soap, there is still some grime
left to be removed with the Plastic Prep. |
|
SEM Sand Free Primer
(PN 38363) is the first coating to be applied to a clean
surface in preparation for paint. It contains an adhesion
agent. Sand Free is designed for difficult to sand textured
surfaces, hence the name "Sand Free". |
| |
|
|
In a well ventilated area and while wearing a mask I applied
one coat of Sand Free. |
|
SEM recommends applying your color while the Sand Free
is still wet. They also suggest the first coat of SEM
Color Coat Aerosol  is
only dusted on. I waited ten minutes between coats and
applied about 4 coats. |
| |
|
|
I did the same process on all the door panels. This door
panel required 1 whole can of the Cordovan Brown Color
Coat. |
|
Dearborn Classics supplied new front door panel armrests.
The black rear armrests were from an Ebay deal. All pieces
received the SEM Cordovan Brown treatement. In this case
however, I used the SEM Vinyl Prep
(PN 38343) instead of the Plastic Prep as a final cleaner. |
| |
|
|
After three hours and once the painted pieces were dry,
I gently hung the door panels and set the console in place.
I was pleased with the color match to the untreated and
original dash. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 (Resourcing
Upholstery)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
In This Article:
The first of a two-part series demonstrating
how FordMuscle revitalizes the interior of Project
MX, our 1972 Mercury Montego. With DIY motivation,
local services, and restoration parts suppliers,
we get the job done. |
|
|
|
|
|
