Chevy Bel Air Custom Interior | Auto Upholstery |

Watch the amazing transformation of this 1954 Chevy Bel Air as the custom Interior is built from scratch. The custom upholstery in this 54 Bel Air was done by The Lucky Needle. It shows the entire process of upholstering a Hot Rod from start to finish. You’ll see how much work is involved in full interior.
I started out by drawing some sketches for the design of the interior. Once the customer decided on an interior design he liked, I got to fabricating and sewing. First thing to tackle was the custom carpet and jute padding. As well as wrapping the firewall. Then I made patterns from the old headliner and sewed up a new one to match the colors we chose. After the headliner was installed I moved on to the custom door panels. I patterned and made all new panels from ABS plastic and covered them with closed cell foam. I then transferred the design to the panels and wrapped them in vinyl that felt very similar to leather. We used vinyl instead of leather to save on the cost of the custom upholstery. Once the custom door panels were installed, I started disassembling the car seats. I cut and shaped new seat foam with an electric knife and a grinder. Then I laid out the new design and made the patterns for the new seat covers. I transferred the custom patterns to the vinyl and cut the pieces out. After that it was time to back all the pieces with scrim foam and sew up the seat covers from scratch. Installing the seat covers was pretty easy. I just had to be careful when stretching them on. Steam helps a lot with this. I finished up installing the seats and trim pieces. The customer was ecstatic to see the beautiful new auto upholstery in his Hot Rod Chevrolet Bel Air.
During the building of this interior I filmed and entire “how to” training course that teaches custom auto upholstery from the very beginning. If you’re interested you can get more information here. www.theluckynee...
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[@joaquinsablan5406]

So great to watch... The man in the video really makes it simple, but it does take skill and alot of learning and he's on his way to a great future. Great job!

[@sstownttstow2269]

Good job!..Nice to see a young dude keeping this trade going...I.m 51 and have been doing this since the age of 17..

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks!! Glad you like it! I'm really passionate about this trade and keeping it alive. You should check out the new upholstery forum I just started. www.theupholsteryforum.com/

[@customtrimcreationsuk8944]

Fantastic job. Love to watch how other Pros do stuff. Always something new to learn in this game. 👍

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks Dave! I still learn from others all the time as well. There really is no single right way in this industry. I love to see other trimmers creative ways of doing things as well.

[@charlespartak2435]

thats sharp !! since watching this the first time , fast forward to a month ago and i redid my seat out of a 1963 chevy II nova , split back bench...its the same basic seat . gm must have used those benches forever .

[@TheTraakon]

Now you will never get the proper labor rate for your work after doing an entire custom interior in eleven minutes. Really love the work and appreciate that you are sharing the process with us. Need to send this on to my guy Jeff at The Jalopy Shop:)

[@davidhinojosa8946]

Beautiful work brother! You are a true craftsman! Watched your door panel series also.

[@66Gordo]

Looks great!!!

[@Minkyu85]

Why are u so good at this?

[@Theluckyneedle]

Practice...

[@nathanielbolden5053]

I gotta learn how to sew man!....

[@ZHFabrications]

This is incredible John. I knew there was a lot of work/skill involved, but this is mind-blowing.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks ZH!!

[@roberthernandez6948]

@@Theluckyneedle , that was a cool video my bro . You should a video custom interior on the 88-94 C1500 Silverado.

[@kingnation3398]

You should do some speaker enclosures.

[@manuelicos08]

JUST BEAUTIFUL JOB WISH YOU WERE HERE IN MEXICO TO DO IT IN MY 51 CHEVY BEL AIR

[@dmilkman1969]

Hi John.Awesome work!! What do you use for the firewall above the carpet? Also how do you trim it where it meets with the carpet? Or does the carpet have Instabind and is overlapped on top of that? Thanks!

[@Theluckyneedle]

Hey Thanks! The firewall is the same vinyl I used on the rest of the car with 1/4" closed cell foam under. The carpet overlaps the firewall and I finished the carpet edges with vinyl binding made from the same vinyl i used through out the car

[@notgivennotgiven7776]

dang, you're fast

[@Theluckyneedle]

Haha It took a lot longer than 10 mins

[@bugattiveyron2923]

Damn right he's good

[@johnbeer5242]

nice u work really fast 😨😨👏😨👏😨👏😨👏😨👏😨finished in 12minutes 😨👏👌

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks! Hahaha I wish I could do that in 12 mins

[@stevensolis6507]

What color carpet is that? What color of vinyl on the seats and and door panels?

[@Theluckyneedle]

Umm good question! I did this interior 3 years ago. Give me a day or so and Ill see if I can find the invoice.

[@Theluckyneedle]

The carpet = El durado Automotive cut pile carpet medium biege The dark brown = Nuance cognac automotive vinyl. www.albrightssupply.com/Nuance-Automotive-Vinyl-Cognac-p/nua2473.htm&Click=3957 The light tan = Mystique Creamy Ivory Automotive Vinyl = Keyston Bros # mys432

[@bennylozano7485]

How much dose something like this cost. I got a 1950 Chevy styleline deluxe that need interior

[@Theluckyneedle]

Shoot me an email [e-mail]

[@lukekuke2077]

how long did it took ?

[@Theluckyneedle]

A job like this usually takes about 2-3 weeks. I did all the filming for the other training videos on this project so that made it take a lot longer.

[@robertn2813]

truly phenomenal work..........and your best years are ahead of you, wow. you've got a very bright future. do what you love , and you'll never work a day in your life !!

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thank you so much Robert!

[@jmlcolorado]

Hey! Watching your course on door panels and I noticed when you install the closed cell foam on the abs, your panel clips have something over them. Presumably to hold them in place. What is that? Maybe I missed something. Thanks!

[@TheTraakon]

Now you will never get the proper labor rate for your work after doing an entire custom interior in eleven minutes. Really love the work and appreciate that you are sharing the process with us. Need to send this on to my guy Jeff at The Jalopy Shop:)

[@Theluckyneedle]

Hahaha thats a good point. Its already hard enough as is. Glad you liked the video!

[@trkcarz]

Thank you for sharing this...amazing work! You're inspiration for those who'd could use a few tips on this type of work. Keep the videos coming, and I've bookmarked your website too!

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thank you! More video to come in 2018!

[@motorguyzoe4950]

Great job john love these videos I'm preparing to do a gbody all the through you gave me great pointers and insight thanks !!

[@Theluckyneedle]

Glad it helped!

[@513goldybaby]

I still say hands down you always find a way to out do your last job. A++

[@andrewhesling7875]

Excellent John, can I ask what thread you use and needle size.

[@charlespartak2435]

where do you get that chrome strip for the door panel color separations?

[@stanleygrant2871]

Excellent excellent work I enjoyed this video

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thank you!!

[@jefferyd6288]

absolutely amazing, I love how it's a nice short video but shows exactly how you did something without the boring explanations. Planning on using this method to do my 69 beetle!

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks!!

[@Cherfield-D-Blessedman]

What type of materials you are using please?

[@lancegrell765]

Where do u get that chrome trim with the spikes?

[@davebond7380]

Hi John I'm a furniture upholsterer from Liverpool UK . Absolute great job love the vids much appreciated

[@Theluckyneedle]

Hey thanks Dave! Great to hear you love the videos.

[@JeremyWight]

That was awesome! Thanks for sharing, makes me realize how much work it really is 😄

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@tkalmi09]

Nice job, looks awesome

[@Zontor666]

Great video, its very relaxing to watch the interior workflow. This guy is the man!

[@Theluckyneedle]

Hey thanks Zontor! You the first person to say it was relaxing haha! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@robbypro3370]

Headrests on a hardtop?

[@carolcheny]

Wow. Great job! it looks very costly.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks!

[@pcole1smile]

That was AWESOME! You are FANTASTIC at what you do...

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thank You!

[@MrStevezed]

nice work , i felt like an apprentice watching :) learned alot !!

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks You! Glad to hear you liked it!

[@osonegro7925]

Awesome

[@jkojha]

Amazing. Love your stuff. You make it look so easy.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks Jai!

[@pzavada1]

love the trick with the rag to remove the handle clip!

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks!!

[@Loyalty_901]

Straight beast. Keep up the good work 💪.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks Mike!!

[@ryannelson3755]

This is awesome... what type of sewing machine do you have OR need to sew through thicker material like leather?

[@evda191270]

YOU ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST ¡¡¡.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thank you !!

[@0Gravity1966]

I watched all 5 videos on how to make the door panals out of ABS, but then the stuff I REALLY wanted to learn, which was how to actually upholster the panals, you fast forward thru the whole process....lol....great work though, it came out great! I'll check out some of your other videos, maybe you have already covered the techniques?

[@Theluckyneedle]

Hi! Glad you enjoyed our videos! If you are looking for more in-depth coverage you may be interested in purchasing one of our courses, like the Door Panels & Kick Panels course that can be found here along with our other courses: theluckyneedle.com/course-list/

[@jimmucklin6860]

Great job and great editing.Where can I find sprayable contact cement?Thanks

[@olegzw857]

✔👍👍👍

[@stephenladnier1236]

Awesome video man! Love your stuff

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks Stephen!

[@elijahmcgee2842]

That sucks go slow trough the timplet then the best part just blow through ? Oh well

[@davidwood1923]

Wow!... Great Job... Thanks for Sharing

[@daveketner8369]

you do some good work john.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks!

[@knightridergsxr]

I really wish I would have ran across the door panel video two weeks ago. Makes me want to go back and redo what I already have done but using the ABS this time and adding the foam too. Not sure ABS would work on the rear window panel with 6x9s on a 65 Falcon but that’s what I have to work on next. Anyway...Great videos…just watched all 5 plus this one. What foam do you use on top of the ABS door panel and are you using staples to secure the leather to the back side?

[@Theluckyneedle]

Happy they helped! I usally dont use ABS on the package because the rear window is like a magnifying glass and an cause it to warp in the sun. I use a combination of 1/4" and 1/8" closed cell foam. I used 5/32"staples to attach the fabric to the panel. Hope that helps!

[@splash5974]

What an awesome looking interior! Very nice work! Got any vids or tips on how to use an existing seat cover for patterns? I want to tackle recovering my boat seats. It doesnt have to be show quality, but i dont want them to look like garbage either...im pretty meticulous with everything else i do, so i think id like to try and tackle it myself. Cheers

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks splash!!! Yes actually I have an entire training course on seats that covers paking patterns. You can get it here theluckyneedle.com/products/seats/

[@starnet36]

Nice work, John. I hope to start your upholstery course sometime next month. Do you mind my asking what you charged the customer for this job?

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks! Great to hear your going to start the courses! Shoot me an email an we can talk about the cost of jobs like this.

[@MegaDeathGiver]

For the door panels did you also fabricate the inside red sheet metal connecting the door panel to the window or no?

[@Theluckyneedle]

No thats part of the car

[@giovanniperri527]

Where do you buy the chrome banding you used on the doors? What are they called? I cant seem to locate them.

[@Theluckyneedle]

That's the original trim that came on the car. I just incorporated it in to the new design.

[@williambaker2154]

Hey.. What color spray paint u used on bottom of door handle?

[@Theluckyneedle]

It was SEM camel 15173 amzn.to/2IB3JyM

[@ern153]

Dope video. But you wouldn't happen to have it in regular speed so I can see how panels made and how you installed the carpet.

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thanks man! I have a full training series available that will teach you everything. Its on my website www.TheLuckyNeedle.com

[@Theluckyneedle]

I also have a bunch of other how to videos on my channel

[@joelfazzio5684]

John you are amazing! Best of luck in the future man!

[@Theluckyneedle]

Thank you !

[@CHRISSX-x2k]

Great work!Maybe a parts tutorial about this please?

[@Theluckyneedle]

Interesting idea! Can you tell me more about what that would look like for you?

[@CHRISSX-x2k]

@@Theluckyneedle the parts on the door linings and the metal that you put as finishing and also the curves on the banks please? Minute 04:50 to 10:07

[@bennylozano7485]

Did you custom make the rear panels

[@Theluckyneedle]

The rear panels were part of the car. I just recovered them with the new design.

[@rachelduran6572]

how many hours did this take ?

[@Theluckyneedle]

normally a job like that about a week and a half +. But because I was filming so many videos on this car it took much longer

[@Primoesuno36]

What is the name of the foam padding your using here?

[@Theluckyneedle]

On the door panels?? Its called closed cell foam. www.albrightssupply.com/Landau-Top-Pad-1-4-inch-p/lanpad.htm&Click=3957 www.albrightssupply.com/Landau-Top-Pad-1-8-inch-p/lanpad8.htm&Click=3957

[@Primoesuno36]

yes the door panels. Thank you, you do beautiful work!

[@johnybee8261]

dude i wish i could learn all that....

[@Theluckyneedle]

You totally can! I have courses that teach all of it on my website. www.TheLuckyNeedle.com

[@johnybee8261]

I like your business model. I didn't find my passion to dive into everything related to my brand yet... but it will come with time