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ORIGINAL: futil

One of the features that I have never really liked on the Avenger and some other cars is the lighter colored sandstone looking (Supposed to be grey) headliner, rear deck, and post covers.

I really wanted a matching dark grey 2 tone interior without the top half of the car looking like its mismatched.

I didn't like it when I purchased the car and after receiving the car I assumed I would get used to it but the color difference still drives me nuts. I found it interesting that other car manufacturers are doing the same thing with their cars so apparently its a "thing" but I don't care for the way it looks.. especially since I have 2 other tones in the interior.. the 3rd just doesn't look right to me.. So.. I am starting to gather information and will probably begin changing the interior colors to match the darker grey interior colors.

What I am looking to do is change the entire upper half of the car to a medium grey or charcoal grey.

I am planning on replacing the headliner cloth with a padded medium grey cloth headliner which will probably involve stripping the existing cloth off, smoothing the area, spraying a 3M headliner adhesive, then reapplying the new padded cloth.

The sun visors look like they will be the most challenging as it looks like I will need to so a little sewing which I'm not that experienced with but I can probably leave the existing cloth on them and basically remove all the hardware, place a tight fitting custom cover over them made up of some of the extra headliner material, then cut holes and replace the hardware.

The rear deck can simply be re-carpeted and I'm sure the headliner adhesive spray will work fine holding it down. I will probably need to strip the existing carpeting off.

The other area of concern will be dying the pillar post covers as I have no clue how a grey plastic dye will absorb into the existing plastic.. Obviously I will use a test area and dye the inside for effect to see if it will work or not. I could paint the covers but they will eventually peel, fill in the texture, or easily scratch (I assume that it would just look unprofessional) so I would guess that a dye would be the best way to go aside of purchasing injection molding machines and grey plastic beads. (Not happening cause after this project I will have no use for a plastic injection molder)

Basically I wanted to see what everyone thinks about the idea, If they are happy with their upper interior color, and if anyone has any suggestions/experience with this before I begin.   

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ORIGINAL: futil

I was talking to a few people at my job that actually know how to sew.. They recommended wrapping the material and sewing the 2 biggest sides, then turning it inside out to hide the seams.. Slide it onto the visor, then by hand finish up the last side by inverting the seams inward.. I would imagine the very last area can be pushed into the hole where the metal bar goes for the visors to pivot.. Doesn't really seem that hard.. so I think I can do that..

Next issue.. I just realized that its pretty damn hard getting a headliner out of a 4 door car since the door exits are smaller than a 2 door car.. I really don't want to mask off the entire interior of the car with plastic then spray dye or adhesive inside the car.. but if it cant be removed then that may be what needs to be done.. possibly pull the headliner out through the folded down back seats then out the trunk may work (Probably not) :)

If anyone tries removing the headliner, be careful not to bend it too far as it will crack in half.. They are made of a compressed polystyrene covered by padded cloth and crack very easily.

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ORIGINAL: futil

lol you shouldnt have a problem tripping the airbags..

I have a feeling the headliner was placed in the car by the factory before the windshields were put in..

Right now I found an equalizer that I wanted to install in my car to shape the bass a little as I like changing from 50Hz up to 80hz depending on the music I am listening to.. So I put the interior color change project on the side for about a week while I evaluate all the issues involved.. But you can always wait till I screw up my car then learn from my mistakes :)

I am definately at a point where I am adding too many electronic components to the interior.. I kinda ran out of mounting places.. So I have to rearrange everything to squeeze the EQ in. When I finish ill take a pic of the interior with all the electronic junk turned on.. Its really hard to drive at night with all the glare :) I mounted a portable DVD recorder under the glove compartment so I can watch and burn DVDs in the car.. External USB sound card, wireless computer, power inverter, iPod cables, bass control knob, a trip computer, and now an EQ.. Think I need to join Accessories Annonymous