Sun Visor Restoration

VaCat33

VaCat33

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CAT Member
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Hello

Does anyone know of somebody who can restore an original set of sun visors? I have tried two local upholstery shops and both said they could not source the pebbled vinyl material. They also said they could not do the heat sealed edges.

Thanks

Jim

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Jim, what color is your interior? Mine weren't quite as rough as yours, but I spray painted them black and was able to repair seam separations with a little contact cement. Not a great picture, but gives you an idea of what they look like:

top down tiger '12 011.JPG
 
Be careful with new replacements. In the past some did not work with the stock windshield hardware.

Buck
 
Buck is correct re the repros not quite working with original hardware.

As for why Jim wants to rebuild the visors, his car is a factory example. The repro visors for at least the last 15+ years the repro visors are based on the late style with cutout for the larger oval mirror.

Jims are the early style used on series 3-IV with the small rectangle mirror.

They repro the late style now as they work for both mirrors
 
Having seen Jim's car in person more than once I understand what he's doing. It would be tough to find something not factory correct. The problem Jim mentioned about finding someone that can heat seal the seams is a big problem. I have two sets for the Harringtons that I wanted repaired using heat sealing. The biggest problem which Jim mentioned is finding the vinyl material. The same problem exists for other interior parts. I made many phone calls to various parts of the country trying to find someone with the equipment to do the heat seals. The same pertains to finding someone to properly make the heat pleated seams for the cover in the package tray area. The three tool rolls made in Australia that I bought had a problem with the heat seals coming loose. It might be worth contacting Gary Schotland in New York to see where he had the heat sealing done on the tool rolls he made. I bought a couple from him and they have heat sealing of the tool compartments that have held up. It seems to be a lost art for shops that do custom work simply because there is no demand for it. I did buy Rick's reproduction brackets when I bought visors for the series 5.
 
Thanks for the feedback. This is obviously a problem that will take a little effort to resolve. I will continue to search. Thanks Bob for the lead Re the heat seal. That could help if I ever find the material.

As for the reproductions…I have them on my car and yes you do need the updated hardware but the larger problem is they are NOT correct for MkI Tigers with the small convex mirror. The reproductions are the notched style designed for later cars with the large oval mirror. The correct ones do not have the notch at the mirror end.

See photo.

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Became acquainted with a mfg. of VW parts many moons ago. They early bug ones are similar as is the convertible heat fused under seat frame plastic covered parts. I cut speaker holes in them in 1970 something oops. The thing to do is look to their vendors if they will look at the project. Otherwise maybe you're Mrs. has an old hair flattening iron that can be adapted ;)
 
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