Upholstery - Part 1 - DIY Sprinter Camper Van

This video shows how I applied upholstery direct to the wall of my van. This is done in areas where wooden wall panels do not provide coverage, including the column behind the sliding door and the D-pillars on a Sprinter van.
Product links:
Tweed Upholstery: goaff.pro/sdsptp
(we used the gray heather color)--see our article here for ordering: ourkaravan.com...
3M-90 glue: amzn.to/2LcdGDW
Fabric roller: amzn.to/2xznC8A
Also seen in this video:
Rear Lighting Switches: amzn.to/2LUuukc
Rear dual USB ports: amzn.to/2LVudxw
Switch/USB holders: amzn.to/2JbGhZN
Website: ourkaravan.com
Instagram: our.karavan
Music:
Cold Funk - Kevin MacLeod: • Cold Funk - Kevin MacL...
Jazz in Paris - Media Right Productions: • Jazz In Paris - Media ...
Note: This video contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. Please know we only promote products we actually use and believe in.

[@dibley1973]

The music reminds me of something from Flight of the Conchords. I half expected Brett and Germane to start singing! Any way great video and great attention to detail.

[@tjmaxxlover9]

dibley1973 I

[@Pookastudio2]

Love it! I really like your attention to detail. You will not regret your efforts. Beautiful build.

[@Levi_Allen]

Brilliant! I first saw this in the Freedomvans build, and i really like the idea. I've been trying to pick out a good fabric for our rebuild

[@Levi_Allen]

have you already linked to or talked about the switches and 12v outlet you have on the back edge of the rear door area?

[@Levi_Allen]

Ha, my mind read right over those the first time I read through. I thought you might have a whole other video talking about them, but I don't remember seeing them before.

[@Levi_Allen]

The backlog is real. It's so tough to get caught up! I understand the desire to just get the van done though. I am trying to schedule two months to focus on our build and just go for it all at once.

[@michaelsherman3049]

What type of fabric? Where did you buy it?

[@ourkaravan]

Hi Michael, it’s Marathon tweed from perfectfit.com. Mine is the gray heather color.

[@mallorymcguire833]

It would be helpful if you would include information on what kind of fabric you used. "Tweed" could mean anything. Thank you for a great video.

[@ourkaravan]

Every item is listed the description below the video. Good luck!

[@robertw1524]

You the man Ken ! Beautiful work ! ourkaravan/ is my build bible.

[@Tylerswank27]

Awesome video and awesome finish on the van. Looks very clean! Thanks for posting the videos and putting in the time to share your great ideas.

[@jaysonbenner]

Thank you for documenting your build on video. Very high quality. I hope to do something similar one day

[@toddthibodeaux8923]

3m 90 glue sucks for gluing Apolstry I would talk to a automotive Apolstry guy. I did my van with 3m and it came apart in less than 3 months. My Apolstry guy said to use contact cement .

[@hakunamatataadventurebus5944]

Yes, I’d prefer brushing or rolling the real thing. Granted, difficult on cloth. You can also thin and spray in a paint sprayer. But, you gotta use whatever you’ve got. Good work as usual!

[@BeanTrashcan]

What is that shiny insulation on the wall?

[@morenonesense]

Hey Ken! How is the blue plastic electric box attached to the wall, what's holding it in place? Thanks!

[@ourkaravan]

The canex box is floating. There’s no attachment to the van, the stiff plastic tubing holds it’s position for the most part; then the faceplate keeps it centered in the cutout of the wall panel.

[@morenonesense]

@@ourkaravan Ha, that's very neat, thanks Ken!!

[@ourkaravan]

You are welcome, good luck

[@wanderlibre4434]

In case you're still answering questions about trimming the van with fabric, I have a question about the D-pillar, Did you glue the fabric on the D-pillar before cutting holes for the switches/covers - or did you cut the holes for the switches before gluing to the d-pillar?

[@ourkaravan]

The holes in the D-pillar are there from the factory. I simply wrapped the entire pillar, then made an "X" cut inside the fabric and folded and glued it back to make a perfect square upholstered cutout.

[@hakunamatataadventurebus5944]

I believe you can spin the spray nozzle so it will fan the spray horizontally for applying in vertical motion.

[@safeliving.net.]

Ken...Another great video. I called Perfect Fit to order a Marathon color book and they don't have anymore. Do you know what color your MB headliner is? How close is the Grey Heather fabric to your liner? Thanks for the videos.

[@Surfingthe805]

Amazing. Such a great idea and execution... added to my list!!! Quick question.. what switches did you add to the back column at 8:22min?

[@twisttwister8254]

Thanks. Looks great. I will copy u😮

[@diycampers7878]

I've been looking myself for a nice tweed and that gray looks sweet. Well done.

[@diycampers7878]

kenetube it's a shame they won't deliver down under. Oh well I'm sure I can find something like it soon

[@diycampers7878]

kenetube . You know there are ways to get stuff if you're prepared to pay the postage. The us dollar is always good against the aud.

[@mapleridgenaturopath]

Sweet! Looks like you are making some good progress... I’ve also been trying to get mine into a state of completion, mainly because I’m planning an adventure for August. I’m sure it won’t be “ done”. But hopefully it will be “done enough!”

[@simonlynchsae]

That moment you hear the theme song for "The Traveling together journal" and get massively confused...

[@themastercarpenter]

did you insulate inside that pillar?

[@ourkaravan]

That’s a good question. I remember one pillar not having access but I think I may have been able to fish some inside this one.

[@tjn5845]

Very nice job. Just curious, how would you repair any cuts or tears in the fabric? Thanks

[@MrJFoster1984]

With the carpet, start in the low points and let it stick there first, then fold it back and spray more glue on the unstuck carpet and then pull it over the raised/high points next. If you do it the other way around then you tend to have too much carpet in the low point.

[@timvignos1768]

Curious how has the contact cement / glued-on (carpet / vinyl) held up over time, heat / cold? Any new suggestions? Thanks in advance. PS my van has your galley kit and I built your overhead cabinets on my own with confidence from doing galley.

[@ourkaravan]

Hi, it has held up perfectly. I did a 5-year update video discussing how the build has held up, and spoiler alert, it looks as good as it did on day 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipzMh5yvpNGXgrc I hope you're enjoying your galley, I'd love to see some pictures of it! I have a contact page on ourkaravan.com if you're interested in sharing. Thanks for the comment! -Ken

[@TheTravel90]

I would be cautious when wrapping the fabric around the metal edge. If water comes in contact with any of the fabric it will wick it up and soak everything. Hard lesson learned.

[@ourkaravan]

Yes no fabric can extend past the gasket or that will happen

[@BarryandKaren]

Excellent method to cover up those complex areas!!! Thanks!

[@ourkaravan]

7 years later and still looking like day 1! -Ken

[@americanoutbackoverland1469]

Amazing! Just the video I was looking for. Did you consider putting any light foam between the panel and the fabric to act as a cushion/insulation? I am in the process of doing some finish work and am thinking of putting low-e insulation between the fabric and the metal body work. Thanks again!

[@AS-cw9po]

What kind of grey materila did you use for upholstery your van? Is this 4 way stretch? Please provide a link where I can buy this.

[@ourkaravan]

Hi, it’s a tweed fabric from Perfect Fit in Oregon. I used gray heather marathon fabric. Let them know I sent you. :)

[@CaptNaufragio]

Im curious how this held up three years later. Ive never had good luck with spray adhesive, altho great luck with contact cement from a can. I also feel like that surface shout have been scuffed up and prepped prior to application in an attempt at a mechanical bond. Bug hey, if it hasnt failed by now i would say the verdicts in! Yer are/were a blow boater werent ya?

[@ourkaravan]

The interior of my van, now 4.5 years old, looks as good as day 1. The 3M-90 spray adhesive works just fine adhering the fabric direct to the steel. Do not use 3M-90 on wall panels or other large areas as it won't hold up.

[@outerculture]

In a 3 years perspective, would you have done anything different with the van frame upholstery?

[@ourkaravan]

Seriously, no. It has held up really well and looks very professional.

[@RobSymington]

Nice video but just be aware that you should cover holes in metal work with tape first (silver insulation tape). I didn't and over time the material developed dark spots where the holes are.

[@RobSymington]

kenetube the tape stops air/dirt from coming out of structural frame of van and leaving a mark on material. Silver tape is good as it’s thin

[@BrianLee-nz3vm]

Hi Ken, I have just watched this video. In England I have used a spray for the fabric that is used in High temperature situations, headliners, fabric direct to the posts in a van etc. I have used in on 2 van conversions now and it has performed really well with no sagging or peeling. It has a 5-10 minute work time, so if you are not happy with the look you can peel the fabric back off and have another go. 3M do a version 38808 and also Sprayway SW092 in the U.S.

[@ourkaravan]

Thanks for the info! I’ll have to compare the differences between 3M-90 and the two you mentioned.

[@michellezizzle]

this is a great video! did you find the 3M 90 worked well for sticking? were you concerned at all with not insulating that area?

[@ourkaravan]

Hi, the 3m90 has done a great job of adhering the fabric direct to the van wall, but it did not work well in other areas. Take a look at my channel, I just did a 5 year update video and one of the topics of discussion was upholstery and my varying results with different adhesives.

[@chiurazzik]

@ourkaravan has the 3m90 held up well for you? I'm looking to do the same with my van soon. Thanks!

[@ourkaravan]

Yes, the upholstery sticks to the steel really well with 3M-90. I do prefer to use the Dap Landau glue on large panels that adhere upholstery to wood. I did another video on that process.

[@BKTX]

Looks great, Ken!

[@ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt]

Nice work as always!

[@joopzhez2024]

I noticed in the other video you added a thin layer of foam on the large areas. Is there a specific reason not to use it here, it could cover up small holes or uneven spaces. On the other hand, you are able to follow the angles of the van.

[@ourkaravan]

I was afraid the combo of foam and upholstery perhaps would not adhere as well as the fabric direct to the van steel. The foam gives the wall panels a nice feel though.

[@accuratehvacr]

Do you know where to find or what the gray plastic parts are that the Switch/USB holders are set in?

[@ourkaravan]

I do not. I looked online and couldn't locate them in any sort of electronic parts catalog. Ultimately I bought some used from someone on the Sprinter Source forum.

[@maukamarine939]

144 or 170 Sprinter? Pros/cons? Thanks

[@maukamarine939]

kenetube thanks! That helped a lot. Dont want internal bathroom, only need the second row seating and dont want permanent bed. Have all the tools and experience from aviation mech, so will build/copy your design I think but need to source that sliding lay down seat/bed. Might try to build it then take to upholstery shop. Will order from your kit link soon.

[@kenmarapese9085]

Very nice!

[@nicolasmenard4258]

how much fabric did you use? great video !

[@nicolasmenard4258]

you only used 10 yards? I am starting my van in 2 weeks, I only have one side window. I was planning on doing the celling and all the walls in fabric, how much do you think will be required?

[@ericschweitzer2597]

thank you, well done. very helpful!

[@ourkaravan]

Thank you!

[@livefreeordie4850]

Nice

[@RoamOverlandVehicles]

You do such good work!

[@ourkaravan]

Thanks guys! I know another couple that build some beautiful vans...

[@rikholliday8899]

Very well done. What is the fabric being used? I don't see the link.

[@ourkaravan]

Hi, the manufacturer website is being updated but go to perfectfit.com and look for the marathon fabric. I used the gray heather color.

[@rikholliday8899]

@@ourkaravan Thanks. Perfect. Loving your videos.

[@ourkaravan]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@micahvanhove1620]

Has the 3M 90 held up in heat?

[@ourkaravan]

It has. I think it’s fine for use on small upholstered areas but I wouldn’t use it to adhere upholstery to a large wall panel, for example.