Hidden difficulties and expert advice Salon tuning as a type of business activity: technical and economic aspects of the project; difficulty analysis. Complete hauling of the car interior: a quick do-it-yourself method

The main service of the auto studio is the upholstery of the interior, as well as the replacement of leather and fabrics on its individual elements (steering wheel, dashboard, ceiling, etc.). It is interior refreshment services that are the most demanded segment of auto tuning, so good turnover is guaranteed for this business (with a competent approach, of course).

There are three main situations in which people order interior upholstery:

1. Preparing a car for sale. The condition of the interior greatly affects the cost, so many people want to update it.
2. A used car is bought, and the owner wants to change the upholstery of the cabin because of natural disgust.
3. The owner of the car has a desire to refresh the interior and embellish the car for himself.

Obviously, all three cases relate to used cars, since few people want to spoil the new upholstery, even if it is not particularly comfortable.

Financial moments

The typical cost of interior upholstery is from 40 to 70 thousand rubles (depending on the material). Approximately half of the total revenue is "eaten up" by consumables (alcantara, suede, leather, various fabrics) and staff salaries. A significant part of the monthly income is spent on renting premises and utilities, as well as various "force majeure". After deducting all costs and expenses, net profit is 30% of total revenue.

Thus, you can count on 10-15 thousand net income from one car. When servicing 10-15 cars per month, the auto studio brings the owner 100-200 thousand rubles. Such turnover is possible only in medium and large cities, but in a small town such an enterprise may face a shortage of solvent customers.

Starting investment

The first and main item of expenditure is a toolkit for work, including items such as:

• sets of mounts, screwdrivers and pullers;
• kits for dismantling door panels and trim elements;
• keys for seals;
• sewing equipment, irons and hair dryers.

The minimum set of equipment will drag on 150 thousand rubles. You can work in a garage room of 50 m2, the rent of which will cost about 25 thousand monthly.

Also, at the start of the activity, you will need to purchase a supply of consumables: genuine leather and substitutes, alcantara, velor, vinyl and auto-carpet. The most expensive and prestigious upholstery materials are leather and alcantara (more than $80 per linear meter).

The starting supply of consumables will cost 50 thousand rubles. Adding here 50-100 thousand for the arrangement of the premises, the purchase of furniture and shelving, we determine that the total amount of initial investment will be about 300 thousand rubles.

Staff

To organize a full-fledged cycle, you will need a seamstress, a hauling master, a cutter and a master for the installation of salon elements. The salary of such personnel will go 80-100 thousand per month. Ideally, each employee should be sent to specialized courses (preferably in Moscow). For example, a monthly course for the manufacture of exclusive salons from Rusty Brothers will cost 50 thousand per person.

Of course, there is always a risk of losing the funds invested in training an employee if he decides to leave for a competitor. But the qualifications of the craftsmen are more important, and such misunderstandings should be provided for in the employment contract. In any case, the consequences of the work of an inexperienced master can cost the enterprise much more and bring serious problems instead of profit.

Prospects and further growth

Experienced auto shop owners recommend providing related services: window tinting, installation of armored optics, anti-gravel films and auto vinyl, minor repairs, air conditioning refueling and other minor modifications. This requires additional equipment and employees in the state, but this gives three significant advantages:

1. Greatly increases overall income.
2. Makes the company more solid and attractive against competitors.
3. Makes it easier to experience the "off-season".

A good competitive advantage can be created by the right marketing. An interesting and creative way to attract customers will be an old representative of the domestic auto industry (Volga, VAZ or even Zaporozhets), turned into a "live" advertisement. To many, this solution will seem banal, but practice shows that it is very effective.

Classic advertising on radio, television and the local press will also be useful. Your own website today is also one of the most important and most effective advertising channels (its creation will cost another 30-50 thousand rubles).

Car interior upholstery, according to many financial experts, is currently one of the most profitable enterprises in the field of car tuning. This includes replacing headlining, steering wheel, seats, gear knob, door trim and floor coverings. This requires a variety of materials, from inexpensive flock and leather substitute, to expensive alcantara and leather.

Modern version

Upholstery of the car interior can be done in an affordable way, for which eco-leather is used. This material can be called the most cost-effective, and there are a number of reasons for this. The properties of eco-leather meet modern requirements for environmental friendliness and wear resistance, and reupholstering a car interior in this way is much cheaper, since there is no need for additional processing costs. On the territory of Russia, this type of business is currently very poorly developed, which means that your workshop may become the first, if not the only one in your locality.

Important Points

Immediately you need to decide on the client base. Who will order such services from you? Anyone, and it does not matter what brand of car the owner has, since everyone, without exception, wants an exclusive interior. There are many reasons for tuning - from selling a vehicle to changing the interior color scheme in accordance with the latest fashion trends.

However, the following is important: you should not reupholster car interiors with such material as eco-leather, focusing on all brands at the same time. It is worth choosing one or two models with which you will work, as you will need to thoroughly study the features of each of them. In addition, the owners of expensive cars often have increased requirements, and even tuning in expensive salons does not always meet them.

Main process

If we talk about how much it costs to reupholster a car interior, then we can say that it all depends on the complexity and scale of the work, as well as on the material used for this.

As for the process itself, it is very interesting, but it is laborious. So, to organize a business, you need a certain set. First, you will need to buy or rent a garage space, which should be at least 50 square meters in size to fit 3-4 cars.

Secondly, it is impossible to do without an office where you will work with clients. This is a rather important point for the company's image, since it is not worth accepting customers in a garage in a dirty robe, because this will not make the most positive impression. If you decide to independently engage in such a service as a car interior upholstery, then these two premises can be combined.

In this case, you may well register as an individual entrepreneur. But it is worth noting that it is very difficult to completely organize such a business alone.

At a minimum, you will need one fitting specialist who will carry out the tasks of ensuring the safe installation of car parts, as well as a professional seamstress. You will need special equipment for reupholstery of the car interior and tools for the safe dismantling of airbags, as they are often damaged during interior tuning. Needless to say, you must have a professional sewing machine, since the quality of the finished salon depends on this device.

You should establish close contact directly with the material manufacturer, so that you can purchase at the lowest prices without the involvement of intermediaries. This will allow you to set a not too high price for end customers. In addition, you must launch an advertising campaign in all available ways and catalog your services.

business approach

As mentioned earlier, you can organize a business that will allow you to occupy a free niche, since at the moment almost no one is engaged in tuning car interiors. Using high-quality materials in your work will allow you to get the best result, justifying the cost of your services. The material for the upholstery of the car interior must be not only of high quality, but also unique, then you guarantee yourself an influx of customers.

You can explain why such a business is profitable. Reupholstering services are usually referred to as tuning services, which are quite expensive in our country. Therefore, when answering the question: "How much does it cost to reupholster a car interior?" - you can bring the average price range for such services:

The hauling of all seats and head restraints costs 25-55 thousand rubles;

All inserts in the door will cost 1.5-5 thousand rubles;

Drag the torpedo will cost 25-40 thousand rubles;

The steering wheel will be released at 3-4 thousand rubles;

Gearbox handle - 1-3 thousand rubles.

As you can see, the prices are quite high. Now that there is no longer any doubt about the profitability of such a business, you can go through its main points. There are nuances that you need to be aware of before organizing such a business.

Licensing Issues

Here you can be calm - you do not need any license. It is necessary to have a quality certificate for the material for upholstery of the car interior, which is usually issued by the manufacturer.

Personnel and inventory

In your business, the main work falls on the shoulders of masters who must be high-level professionals. Two workers are enough. Naturally, high professionalism requires appropriate remuneration.

So, if the problem with the masters is solved, then in order to resolve the issue of how to pull the interior of the car, it is necessary to purchase certain specialized equipment, which is necessary in this situation.

Locksmith tools - 10-12 thousand rubles;

Professional sewing machine or several - 40 thousand rubles;

Washing vacuum cleaner - 8-10 thousand rubles;

Equipment for extracting airbags - 6-8 thousand rubles.

Materials must be purchased exclusively from trusted automotive leather suppliers who have proven themselves well. The average price of quality material is 1.5-3 thousand rubles per meter. You should also buy some leather for a sample catalog, where customers can choose for themselves what they like the look and feel of. Remember that it is very important for the client to choose the colors and textures himself. Avoid fakes! If you accidentally get a sample of low-quality leather, it will cancel out everything that you have done before.

How to choose the material for the waist

In a car, every detail is important, even if it is not responsible for the movement or operation of the engine. After all, the vehicle characterizes not only the good condition, but also its worthy appearance, and the level of comfort of being in it.

Each car owner, after a certain time, is faced with the fact that the old material wears out and loses its aesthetics, which leads to the need to reupholster the interior. Everyone wants to be in a beautiful well-groomed salon, so almost no one neglects to replace the coating.

If you are wondering how to drag the interior of the car yourself, then it is worth saying that this requires a lot of material, which is currently presented in a wide range.

To organize a business, you also need employees who are able to quickly and efficiently complete the task.

Road to Success

The degree of business success directly depends on the factors listed above. If the masters cannot cope with the work due to the lack of the necessary qualifications, then the business will be doomed to complete failure. Few people want to use low quality services.

It is worth saying that all this is quite simple to comply with. If you post a job posting, there are a few people who meet your requirements.

Material for constriction is very easy to purchase if you contact the appropriate store. In addition to the variety of colors, it is imperative to provide the client with a choice of textures and types of material. It can be leather or its substitute, velor, vinyl, alcantara, autocarpet. It is quite possible to purchase the most common types.

Features of each of the materials

Leather is a practical material that has a representative appearance and a fairly high cost. Vinyl is the most affordable of materials, which is characterized by low cost, but it wears out very quickly. Faux suede is practical to use, easy to clean, and the life of the material is quite long.

The preferences of each person are individual, so the entire product will be in demand. When choosing a fabric for upholstery of the car interior, the client usually leads his own considerations. Someone wants to emphasize their status, but for someone the cost is important. Sometimes the choice is dictated by the technology of upholstery of the car interior. That is why the entire range will be in demand, bringing the desired profit to the business owner. And someone may be interested in wood trim car interior.

conclusions

If you have decided to open a car interior upholstery business, then you should approach this with all responsibility. In this area, it is very important not only to win the attention and trust of your customers, but also to prevent wrong steps that can cancel out all your efforts in one moment.

Upholstery of a car interior with leather is a rather complicated, but doable task. To give the interior a presentable look with your own hands, accuracy, attentiveness and patience will be required.

Materials for the upholstery of the car interior

One of the following materials can be selected for leather upholstery:

• leatherette (artificial leather);
• Genuine Leather.

These materials differ not only in cost, but also in their mechanical properties. Leatherette, being more rigid, does not stretch as much as genuine leather. Working with the latter when constricting is much more difficult.

Genuine leather patterns must be thinned at the edges, otherwise the seams will turn out to be large and will stand out strongly on the surface of the leather interior. Leatherette can be sewn without pre-treatment around the perimeter. The resulting seam will be quite compact. Genuine leather wears less, is more resistant to mechanical damage and is aesthetically pleasing to the touch.

Fundamentals of leather upholstery technology

The quality of the hauling primarily depends on the professionalism of the performers. This primarily refers to the skill level of the cutter and leather tailor. The first determines how accurately the patterns will be made, and the second determines the quality of stitching from the details of the hauling kit prepared by the cutter, that is, the final result.

In the case of doing these works with your own hands, you will need to acquire the necessary skills in the process of making and sewing leather patterns. It is possible that this will be achieved by trial and error.

When constricting with skin, it is necessary to take into account where and how it can be stretched, how it will lie on each specific surface. You also need to understand how this material is properly stitched and glued.

The hauling of certain parts, interior surfaces can differ significantly in. For example, the upholstery of car doors, its various panels (including the front - the so-called torpedo), the ceiling requires compliance with one technology, and when reupholstering seats, a completely different one is used. But at the same time, the methods for making patterns and stitching them into fragments, the details of the leather covering are approximately the same.

In order to cover any plastic element with leather with your own hands, you must first dismantle it or this panel. In the process of removing the panel from it, all parts without exception are removed from it. As a result, only a bare base should remain, according to which patterns for this element will be made.

To haul the seats, they are dismantled. At the same time, all fastening, adjusting and decorative elements fixed on top of the factory covers are removed from them, which are then pulled off the seat frame and carefully torn at the seams into separate fragments. According to these clippings, leather patterns are subsequently made.

Preparing a leather interior upholstery kit

According to the bases of the panels and fragments of the seat covers, patterns are made (individual parts of the future coating), which repeat all the bends and contours of the fitted elements. Patterns for seats are made directly from leather according to the cutouts of factory covers, which are applied to the material for constriction and outlined along the contour with a gel pen. After that, the outlined fragment is cut out with scissors, the place of the future seam is marked on it.

Patterns for various panels are first made from fleece or a special film that can stretch. The polymer is glued to the plastic element. In this case, the film must be carefully stretched and smoothed over the surface of the panel. Then on the flaseline mark the places where it is necessary to have seams in the leather covering. It depends on the number of irregularities and bends in the panel. After that, the film is removed and cut according to the marking of future seams. The resulting patterns from flaselin are applied to the skin and the seam is marked along their contour, and with an allowance of 10 mm for bending during stitching, the place of cutting the material is marked. Mark with a gel pen. Then cut out patterns from the skin.

Before stitching the patterns into a single leather case with your own hands, their edges should be approximately half thinned (cut off the layers of leather). This procedure will allow you to get less voluminous seams when stitching. If you thin the skin by half, then you will get seams with a thickness equal to (or slightly more than) the thickness of the cover pattern.

Sew patterns on special equipment. A regular sewing machine will not work. After stitching from the wrong side of the made cover, the excess protrusions of the skin tucked at the seam are cut off, leaving minimal allowances that ensure integrity and strength.

Do-it-yourself car interior upholstery

In parallel with the manufacture of leather covers, the plastic surfaces of the interior elements are prepared. They are cleaned with sandpaper (preferably coarse-grained) in places where the leather coating will have to lie. The rougher the panel, the better. The surface is then cleaned and degreased.

Glue is applied to the wrong side of the finished leather covering. Use only special formulations for the skin. At the same time, glue is applied to the surface of the plastic panel. The adhesive must dry, after which the leather coating is glued to the plastic. In this case, it is advisable to use a hair dryer, which will increase the elasticity of the skin and allow you to somewhat soften the adhesive composition.

Start gluing from the middle of the panel, gradually moving towards the periphery. The lines of the seams are placed in pre-marked places (at the folds and corners). Finally, the skin is rolled out with a rubber roller, the panel is left for a day so that the coating adheres securely to its surface.

Ready-made leather seat covers are pulled in place of the removed factory ones. The assembly and installation of seats and other interior elements is done by hand in the reverse order of dismantling.

Sometimes the attachment of car enthusiasts to their property and the desire to “tune” a car simply comes to the point of absurdity. Expensive cars are one thing, the “upgrade” of which only increases their cost and improves their appearance, and it’s quite another when electric windows are installed on the VAZ “six” - the same age as your parents, the red price of which on a good day is 20-30 thousand rubles, spoilers, or forged wheels for the price of the whole car. Agree, this is overkill.

The sphere of entrepreneurship, one way or another connected with cars, whether it is the sale of spare parts or the provision of repair services, brings fabulous profits to businessmen today. We can say that this is an almost win-win option for your small business, starting which you can be sure of success. Opening, for example, a mobile tire fitting, a seasonal tire storage point, or selling car stickers does not require large investments. As well as for organizing a car interior upholstery service. It is about this business idea that we will tell you today.

Brief business analysis:
Business setup costs: 700 000-1 200 000
Relevant for cities with a population: from 100 000
Situation in the industry:the market is not saturated
The complexity of organizing a business: 3/5
Payback: 1.5-2 years

What is car upholstery?

Tuning a car - changing its external and structural parts and elements is divided into external and internal. The first one can be attributed, for example, to painting a car with liquid rubber (you can learn about this business idea here), and the upholstery of a car interior is just internal tuning. Fitting new materials to the seats, steering wheel, dash, roof and doors from the inside and replacing the floor covering, each car owner makes for his own reasons.

As we have already said, reupholstering the interior of a car significantly increases the selling price of a used car (it makes no sense to reupholster the interior of a new car). In addition, a purely aesthetic aspect plays an important role - improving the appearance of the cabin, which after the reupholstering looks like new. Finally, some people, when buying a car in the secondary market, simply disdain to sit on worn, crumpled seats, or sit in an interior saturated with a persistent smell of tobacco.

Determine the category of clients

There are different people among the customers, and dealing with owners of domestic cars and budget foreign cars, such as Daewoo, Kia, etc. several million rubles - Infiniti, Lexus, etc. Often the overestimated requirements of such customers are not able to satisfy even large car services that have modern expensive equipment at their disposal.

In addition, a novice hauling service needs some time to thoroughly study the design features of cars for a quality job. After all, it is simply impossible for any master to know right away how the interior of any brand of car is arranged, so experience will often be gained in the process of work. This is how they work in most hauling services.

What is needed to set up a business?

One of the main points of organizing a business is finding a suitable premises. A spacious garage is suitable for your purpose (by the way, follow this link you can find out what other business can be opened in a garage) with an area of ​​​​at least 50 sq.m., in order to be able to work with several cars at the same time and organize something here like a small office in which you will take orders and discuss with customers the nuances of their wishes.

Perhaps the only requirement for the premises is its cleanliness, since the specifics of the work require compliance with order. You will also need special tools and equipment:

• First, this locksmith set – various keys, screwdrivers, etc.
• Professional sewing machines for stitching different parts of materials.
• Equipment for removing and installing airbags that most modern cars are equipped with.
• Good vacuum cleaner for cleaning the interior after the upholstery.

Another important item is consumables.

Choosing materials for upholstery of the car interior

Samples of material and photographs of the refurbished salons - a kind of portfolio should always be available to provide the client with a wide choice. Consider several main types of materials, their advantages and disadvantages, which are used in updating the interior:

• Carpet . This is a dense carpet material that is used for covering acoustic systems, but precisely because of its strength, it has also found application in the upholstery of the cabin. The advantages of this material are in its inexpensive price, "obedience" in work, it takes almost any form of interior elements, serves as additional sound insulation, and in winter - thermal insulation. Carpet hauling is often ordered by owners of domestic cars.
• alcantara . The material that is gaining popularity successfully competes with leather. To the touch, Alcantara is soft and pleasant, like suede. Its advantages - in wear resistance, good appearance, and almost complete "non-combustibility" - in the interior, constricted with Alcantara, you can not be afraid of the appearance of burnt holes due to fallen ash from a cigarette.
• Vinyl . It is used in the processing of all plastic elements of the interior. The widest selection of films of various colors allows the customer to create an exclusive interior decoration for relatively little money. The advantages of vinyl in the ease of its installation and dismantling.
• Flock - fleecy material applied by spraying. Relatively cheap. Attractive in appearance, easy to use.
• Velours . A material that is becoming obsolete, but still used in car seat upholstery.
• Well, and finally leather - "capricious", expensive material. But the appearance of the interior of the car after the constriction changes dramatically. The cost of leather upholstery is the highest, in this regard, the material is the most profitable.

A word of advice: always try to purchase material for the upholstery only from trusted suppliers. It is better if you are recommended purchasing channels for working services.

Who to hire?

To get started, it will be enough to have an experienced fitter on staff to work on the removal and installation of auto parts, and 1-2 specialists in the actual hauling. By the way, women - professional seamstresses - can also successfully engage in this business.

How to arrange everything

In conclusion, we want to say that those readers who want to learn more about a business idea can send their wishes to the blog author on the page "

Mid-range cars leave the factory with boring gray and black skins. Whether the matter is more expensive models: their salons are made in pleasant colors, and soft leather is used as the material. But what is stopping you from redesigning your salon? This is especially true for machines with a long service life: during operation, cheap fabric is rubbed, stains form on it that cannot be removed. If these problems are familiar to you, it's time to take care of the leather upholstery of the car interior. In addition, this process is quite realistic to do it yourself.

The choice of material for sheathing

Genuine and artificial automotive leather are best suited for car upholstery. Both materials are distinguished by high performance, which distinguishes them from the less popular carpet or velor. At the same time, skin-covering is much easier to do with your own hands than, for example, flocking the interior. The reason for this is the high elasticity of the material, as well as the usual set of necessary tools. Recently, motorists are increasingly giving preference to Alcantara. However, the price for the original material is almost higher than the cost of genuine leather, while its cheaper substitutes cannot boast of high quality.

For these reasons, we will take a closer look at materials such as genuine leather and eco-leather.

Genuine Leather

Genuine automotive leather will become a real decoration of the interior. Is it possible to imagine a luxury car covered with a hard carpet or pasted over with a multi-colored vinyl film?

However, a beautiful appearance is far from the only advantage of genuine leather. It can withstand both frost and heat. From temperature changes, cracks will not appear on it. Another positive property is resistance to ultraviolet radiation. Many materials burn out in the sun, so after a few years of operation, the control panel and front seats, which are located directly under the windshield, become noticeably pale compared to the rest of the skin. But this will not affect natural leather. You can be sure that the interior will retain its color.

Do not forget about the fire resistance of the material. Accidentally dropped cigarette ash will not harm the interior. Moreover, genuine leather does not absorb foreign odors, which is very important for those who like smoking inside the car. Other mechanical damage is not terrible for the skin: it will take a lot of effort to scratch or tear such a coating.

On sale you can find material of various textures, up to the skin of a crocodile or ostrich. However, when choosing between smooth and perforated leather, it is better to give preference to the latter. It is softer and more pleasant to the touch. In addition, its wear resistance is noticeably higher.

The only thing that can discourage you from wanting to fit the interior with genuine leather is its price. Its use becomes especially risky with self-constriction. After all, if at some point something goes wrong, a large amount will be thrown to the wind. If you are not ready to take such a risk, turn your attention to eco-leather.

eco-leather

Currently, artificial leather has practically received a second life. Older technologies have been replaced by newer ones. Low-quality leatherette is no longer used for car interior upholstery, giving way to eco-leather.

Eco-leather is a synthetic material. In its manufacture, a thin layer of polyurethane is applied to a woven cotton or polyester base. At the same time, the characteristics of the material directly depend on the thickness of the layer: the thicker it is, the stronger the eco-leather, but also tougher. For car upholstery, the optimal thickness of polyurethane was experimentally derived.

The name "eco-leather" was given to the material for two reasons. Firstly, during operation, it does not emit toxic substances that adversely affect the passengers of the car. And secondly, after its invention, the number of animals killed for the sake of the skin has sharply decreased, which pleased animal rights activists.

In terms of its external qualities, eco-leather is very close to its natural progenitor. With the help of special technologies, embossing is applied to the material, due to which it becomes quite difficult to distinguish it from genuine leather. Moreover, the higher the price of the material, the more identical their appearance.

Eco-leather has a rich palette. You can use classic black or extreme red in the interior, or you can combine colors to your liking. But the coloring of natural material will cost you a round sum.

In terms of other characteristics, artificial leather is also not inferior to natural leather: wear resistance, moisture resistance and fire resistance are its strong qualities. Both of these materials remain clean for a long time, and if necessary, stains and dust can be easily removed with a wet sponge and soft cloth. It's no secret that many people are allergic to animal fur and skin, as well as chemicals used in tanning. Eco-leather is perfect for them, as it is absolutely hypoallergenic.

At the same time, the cost of eco-leather is several times lower than natural, which makes it more affordable for the general population. You can safely take one or two meters in reserve for your wallet if you are doing self-constriction for the first time. The rest of the material can be put into the manufacture of a cover for the steering wheel, gear lever and other small elements of the car.

Regardless of whether you choose natural or eco-leather, purchase the material in specialized automotive stores. There are many reasons why the leather used to make furniture, clothes and shoes is not suitable for upholstery. For example, its instability to temperature extremes and reduced wear resistance.

Both natural and artificial material have a drawback that may seem insignificant to someone. In cold weather, the coating cools down quickly, and in the sun it heats up a lot. Accordingly, this slightly reduces the level of comfort. Whether it is worth paying attention to this feature of the materials is up to you. In any case, leather is one of the best solutions for car interior decoration.

Necessary tools and materials

If you have already decided on the material into which you will drag the interior, it's time to calculate its approximate volume. In total, you may need from 6 to 25 meters. But these figures are very approximate: it all depends on the specific car model. So, a crossover or SUV will take much more material than a coupe. Therefore, do not be lazy and measure the length of the ceiling, the length of the pillows and backs of the seats, the size of the front panel, as well as the width and height of the car doors. Add up all the figures obtained and add at least a meter as an error. Trust me, you will need it.

In addition to the material itself, you will need other tools:

A set of screwdrivers with a straight and cross slot for dismantling some elements;

• foam rubber;
• sandpaper;
• degreaser;
• meter tape;
• masking tape;
• food film;
• marker;
• stationery knife and sharp scissors;
• reinforced threads for stitching leather products;
• sewing machine with a needle and foot for working with leather;
• special high temperature adhesive for leather;
• rollers and spatulas with a rubber cloth;
• industrial dryer.

Separately, I would like to dwell on the choice of glue. Do not use Moment glue or other similar superglues. Universal glue 88 is often used for reupholstery, but it also has a number of disadvantages. Get a quality glue that can withstand high temperatures. MAH is good for these purposes. Its price is quite high, but if you do not want to see how the coating swells and moves away after a few months, spend money on it.

Do-it-yourself process

Self-upholstery of the interior is a painstaking task that can take you more than one day. All work can be divided into several stages:

• car seat upholstery;
• ceiling lining;
• hauling doors;
• hauling the front panel;
• armrest padding;
• steering wheel and gear knob.

In order for the work to go faster and better, several general rules should be observed, which apply both to large parts with a complex shape, and to smaller elements of the car.

1. All parts must be dismantled, even the smallest and most inconspicuous. It may seem to you that pasting, for example, gear knobs can be done inside the cabin, but this is not so. The seams will turn out crooked, and the space around will be dripped with glue.
2. Do not forget to wash the parts and clean them from the old coating.
3. If there are serious damages on the pasted surface, for example, dents or deep cracks, they must be restored. To do this, you will additionally need a special putty composition and primer for plastic.
4. Leather, both natural and artificial, is an elastic material, so it must be well stretched. If you do not do this, then in the end the coating will sag ugly. To make the skin stretch better, soak it for 20-30 minutes in hot water, but not boiling water. You can determine the required temperature without a thermometer. Use water that you can bathe in yourself.
5. During the process of tightening the material, warm it up with a warm stream of air from a building hair dryer. If it is not in your arsenal, then you can replace it with a powerful household one. However, this will affect the degree of elasticity of the skin, so it is better to use a special tool.
6. It will be quite difficult to perform some operations alone. So call a trusted friend for help.

When cutting material, be economical. Remember school lessons of labor and crafts from colored paper. You need to arrange the patterns of parts so that there is as little empty space between them as possible. This way you will reduce the amount of cuts.

Now consider the hauling of each element of the car in more detail.

Fitting the seats

In order for the seats to be in harmony with the rest of the interior, you can simply sew covers for them. This work is perhaps one of the most difficult, as you need to be able to make patterns according to the parameters of the chairs, as well as use a sewing machine. It is best to contact an automotive studio for this. But if you are determined to do everything yourself, then carefully read the instructions.

1. Measure the height and width of the seat cushion and backrest, as well as the headrest.
2. On paper or transparent polyethylene, make patterns of parts, taking into account all measurements. For more accuracy, attach the polyethylene directly to the seat and draw around the contours.
3. Cut out the details.
4. Attach the patterns to the wrong side of the material and circle them with chalk. Leave about 2-3 cm as a margin for later stitching parts.
5. Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out the details from the leather.
6. Before sewing the elements with a machine, process them with a manual basting seam. This way you will be sure that you have received the right form. Do not tightly tighten the parts together. All you need at this stage is to connect the material to understand how the finished product will look like. In the case of alteration, such a seam is easy to rip. And so that the elements of the product do not fall apart, fasten them together with pins.
7. Carefully try on the resulting covers. If the shape matches and no changes are needed, start working with the machine.
8. If you chose thin leather but want thicker and more durable covers, use the following trick: make similar patterns from thick mattress fabric, and then sew them inside out with leather. If desired, the interior space can be filled with foam rubber. So the covers will become even softer.
9. Don't forget to add hooks and garters to secure the cover to the chair.
10. If airbags are installed in the seats, do not sew these places on the cover with a sewing machine. It will be much easier to tear a hand seam.

At the fitting stage, make sure that the covers do not interfere with the operation of the seat belts.

The process in the photo

Carefully measure the length and width of all seat components Make a pattern for the front seat, based on the diagram Make a pattern for the rear seat cushion, based on the diagram Make a pattern for the backrest of the rear seat, based on the diagram Connect all the parts as shown in the picture

Video: seat upholstery

Let's go to the ceiling

Despite the fact that the ceiling has a fairly large surface area, it is quite easy to glue it with material. This is due to the lack of a pronounced relief, as, for example, on the front panel.

1. First of all, remove all hanging elements from the ceiling, and then dismantle it. The principle of dismantling will differ depending on the car model. This usually requires removing the front seat. The correct procedure is detailed in the vehicle's owner's manual.
2. Take a hard sponge and remove the old coating.
3. Old glue will remain on the ceiling. It should also be removed. The easiest way to do this is with a degreaser.
4. In order to prepare the surface for the application of glue and improve adhesion, the ceiling must be sanded. Use fine grit sandpaper.
5. Pasting starts from the center of the ceiling. You need to apply a strip of composition 10 cm long on the central part of the surface.
6. Take a piece of material of the desired length and attach it to the ceiling. Press the central part, and then smooth out with a rubber spatula.
7. In order to glue the rest of the skin, you need to apply glue in a similar way at intervals of 15 cm. After each strip, the material must be pressed and smoothed. Don't forget to stretch. So you avoid sagging.
8. Make sure there are no wrinkles. When the material is completely glued, iron it additionally and then dry it with a hair dryer. When the glue hardens and the skin dries, the product will take its final shape.
9. At the end of the work, the edges must be wrapped on the back of the ceiling and glued, and the excess cut off.

The process in the photo

Due to the impressive volume of the ceiling, you may need an assistant in the process of hauling it. Have one stretch the skin while the other applies the glue and presses the material to the surface. So the work will go much faster, and the result will be better.

Video: how to cover the ceiling

Armrest padding

In the cabin, only the upper part of the armrest is visible, so it is enough to fit only it. It is very easy to do this.

1. Remove the armrest cover.
2. New skin can be glued directly on top of the old skin.
3. Cut a piece of material long enough and wide enough to completely cover the part.
4. Apply a thin bead of glue to one of the edges of the armrest and apply the material to it.
5. While heating the skin with hot air from a hair dryer, stretch it and glue the opposite edge.
6. Stretch the skin over the sides of the lid and glue them.
7. Cut off the excess.

If you want to cover the side parts of the armrest with material, then you will have to make a pattern. There are two ways to do this. The first is to measure the length and width of each of the edges of the armrest, and then draw up a pattern according to these measurements. The second method is simpler and more accurate, we will describe it below.

Video: we alter the armrest

Shift Knob Cover Technology

Pulling the gear knob is the easiest thing to do. However, this process uses a certain method, which will also come in handy when pasting the steering wheel, doors and front panel. In addition, you can use it by fitting the entire armrest.

1. Wrap the dismantled gear knob with cling film.
2. Tape the top tightly with masking tape in several layers.
3. Mark the places for future seams with a marker. To do this, you need to outline the curves of the handle.
4. Use a utility knife to cut the tape along the lines. If the handle has a standard shape, then you will most likely end up with two parts.
5. Attach the resulting patterns to the wrong side of the material, and then circle them.
6. Cut out the leather pieces and then sew them together.
7. Unscrew the resulting product, and then pull it onto the gearshift knob. To make the skin stretch better, do not forget to soak it in hot water.

There is another method of covering this part with leather. For him, you do not need to stitch the material after cutting. Sew along the edge on the sewing machine, retreating 3 mm into the part. The lines can be made with threads that match the skin tone, or they can be contrasted to create a certain image. Next, you will need to put the parts on the glue, and then use a needle and a strong thread to lace up the resulting cover, passing the needle under the stitches.

The process in the photo

Cut the masking tape along the lines Cut out leather details Sew each piece 3-5mm from the edge Pass the needle and thread under the stitches and tighten the details

There are various lacing methods: macrame, sports, herringbone and others. Choose the one that seems to you the most aesthetic and easy to perform.

Video: gear knob tight

Improving the steering wheel

Making a pattern for the steering wheel is done in the same way as described in the previous section: the surface is wrapped with a film, and on top with adhesive tape. Lines are drawn with a marker at the seams. You need to do them on the inside of the steering wheel, as well as on the borders of the spokes.

1. The resulting parts must be transferred to the material, retreating about 2 mm inward so that the skin does not sag. Cut out the resulting elements, and then sew together.
2. Sew the edges of the parts on the sewing machine, just as described in the alternative cover of the gear knob.
3. Attach the cut parts to the steering wheel. To prevent the material from creeping, put it on a thin strip of glue. Strength at this stage does not need to be achieved. In any case, you have lacing in front.
4. Take a needle with a threaded thread, and then, passing it under the stitches, lace up the braid. You can use different types of lacing for this.
5. It is best to start lacing from the bottom of the handlebar, and then move counterclockwise.
6. Don't forget that you are working with leather. It needs to be constantly stretched and stretched.
7. Dry the fully laced braid with a hair dryer. After that, it will take its final form.

The process in the photo

Cover the steering wheel with masking tape in several layers Remove masking tape from steering wheel
Transfer the contours of the parts to the material Sew the pieces together Attach the resulting cover to the steering wheel Pass the needle under the stitches on one side and the other of the cover and pull the sides together

To make the interior look more stylish, use threads of the same color and the same seam for lacing the cover on the steering wheel and gear knob.

Video: car steering wheel hauling

Door upholstery

A pattern for covering doors is also made using masking tape. Be sure to mark the places of the door handle, as well as the power window handle. You will need to cut out these places. Patterns are circled on the material, and then the resulting parts are cut out.

1. All plastic elements must be thoroughly sanded and then degreased before applying the adhesive.
2. Along the line bordering the glass, apply a thin bead of adhesive and press the material against it.
3. Directing a stream of hot air onto the skin, pull it all over the door. Watch out for the handle holes.
4. Glue the middle and edges of the product in this way.
5. To make the coating fit better, smooth it with a rubber spatula.
6. Cut off the excess edges.
7. When the fitting of the doors is finished, wait for the material to dry completely.

The process in the photo

Tape the surface of the door to be sheathed with adhesive tape Draw lines at the places of future seams, and then cut the adhesive tape along them Cut the fabric according to the shape of the covered surface Before applying the adhesive, the plastic surface must be sanded and degreased. Press and smooth the skin

Video: hauling car doors

Padding of the front panel (torpedoes)

Reupholstering the front panel is one of the most difficult processes in interior upholstery, so it is best done last. If the part has a lot of bends, then first you need to make a pattern. This is done using masking tape, according to the same principle as in the manufacture of a cover for the steering wheel and gear knob.

1. Draw patterns from masking tape on the sheathing material and add about 10 mm for the seams.
2. Connect the pieces with a basting stitch in the same way as you did when making chair covers.
3. Try on the resulting product. If its shape matches the shape of the panel, process the seams on a sewing machine.
4. Since plastic is used to make the panel, it must be sanded with a fine-grained abrasive, and then the surface must be degreased.
5. Apply a few strips of glue to the prepared surface and attach the resulting cover.
6. Smooth out the material with rubber spatulas or rollers. Make sure all seams are in place.
7. Dry the product with a hairdryer.

The process in the photo

Tape the front panel with a thick layer of masking tape Cut pieces out of masking tape Transfer the contours of the parts to the material and cut them out Sew the pieces together and glue the material to the panel

If the torpedo has a simple rectangular shape, then the hauling process can be greatly simplified and the step with making a pattern can be skipped. Simply cut a piece of material just long enough for its length and width, then glue the leather on the top and stretch it over the entire panel. At the same time, help yourself with a stream of air from a hair dryer and smooth the material with a spatula.

Video: car front panel hauling

How much will it cost to reupholster the interior with natural and artificial leather

The total cost of the interior upholstery depends on the price of the material. Eco-leather is usually sold for 500-700 rubles. per running metre. But the natural one is at least 3-4 times more expensive. High-quality glue will cost about 1500 rubles. One jar should be enough for all the elements of the cabin.

To calculate the resulting amount, add up the parameters of all the parts. So, if it takes 5 m for the ceiling, 1.5 m for the front panel, 7 m for the doors, 6 m for the seats and another 0.5 m for the steering wheel and gear knob, then you will need to buy about 20 m of fabric. Of course, the figures may vary depending on the dimensions of the machine. But in total, the cost of self-upholstery of the cabin will be at least 20-25 thousand rubles.

For comparison: in a car repair shop for this service you will be asked from 50 thousand rubles and more, depending on the quality of the material. When working with your own hands, the savings will be more than 50%. Is it worth your time and effort - decide for yourself.

In order for the upholstery of the interior with leather not to hit the budget, it makes sense to divide this process into several stages. Let's say this month you are working on the seats, next month on the ceiling, and in another month on the front panel, armrest and other small details. This approach will save you energy, and you will be able to learn from your own mistakes. And we advise you to start with the smallest details - gear knobs and steering wheels. With their help, you can understand the general principle of constriction, and things will go much faster.