What Do You Think...Stingray Vinyl on '76 Eldorado Door Pads

[joeinbcs]

Hey,
As some of you know, Im freshening my interior.
Got the seats back from my upholstery guy yesterday with new carpet on the backs....looks so much better than the faded green.
As I've decided against Just Dashes to do the upper door panels, I'm exploring options.
To my eye, smooth Sierra grain vinyl doesn't look right, so I've tried to find something with a little texture to, if not exactly mimic the original, at least suggest it.
I came across this "Stingray" finely embossed vinyl, and am considering using it.
It's not that close to the "wrinkled" look of the original, but does kind of fit the theme the designers might have been going for...ie., gunstock fake wood, animal hide (I guess).
I'd be interested in any thoughts. 
Usually, I dislike anything that deviates from original, but in this case it seems it's Sierra, which doesn't look right to me, or a grain that suggests the original.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Can't you get the pattern used for roofs with that type of grain? Or is it too heavy? If I were you, I'd keep looking, as the pattern you show looks wayyyyy off. I think I'd almost rather have plain.Best of luck. BW.

[Jon S]

I agree with Barry.  Have you contacted SMS in Oregon?

[LenInLA]

I actually like it! I've seen the plane substitututions and they don't look good.

Leonard Grayver

[2manycars]

I agree with Barry.  Have you contacted SMS in Oregon?

I agree with Jon. I'd check with SMS. That vinyl might look good on the door panel as a lone piece but it needs to go with the entire interior.

Perhaps go with leather, the same material as the seats?

[cadillac ken]

I like it. 
One precaution though...  We did an interior with a similar material (a vinyl ostrich pattern) that totally bit our backside.  After only a short time, about six months, the vinyl began separating from the backing.  Horrendous fail by the vinyl manufacturer.  And the stuff we bought was NOT cheap.  We made good on a complete interior re-do at our own expense (and trust me that hurts) with absolutely no compensation from the supplier of the vinyl other than "gee we're sorry".

We had the same vinyl in storage in a different color and when we retrieved it from storage, the entire roll was coming apart too--- brand new and never even cut!  And again the supplier just shrugged it off with no offer of compensation.

I only make this point to illustrate why things cost so much these days at restoration / repair shops.  Losses mount for the shop and no consideration from suppliers on any front.

But I digress, the important point here is there is a lot of cheap Chinese vinyls out there that are total crap. and no shortage of suppliers that will take your money for vinyl they know is garbage (as our research after the fact revealed the supplier KNEW about this but continued to sell the trash-- now discontinued or course).

So buyer beware.  Do some homework and see if the one you have has had any problems. It would be devastating to take great care in doing your door panels only to have the stuff disintegrate in a matter of months.

But with that said i really like the look of the vinyl you have.

[Scot Minesinger]

Recovering these yourself is the way to go.  This looks close enough for my standards.  Only another owner of the same year and trim level will really know for sure.  When you drive it routinely for pleasure/errands, no one will have a clue.  At shows few will know (if not Cadillac specific, no one will know).  Bottom line if it looks good to you, then I would go for it.

On Cadillac Ken's comment, I agree.  In performing authentic Cadillac mechanical repairs, the suffering I endure due to faulty parts is too frequent and will be raising my rates or not warrantying the part - something - not sure what is best way to go.  Never thought even vinyl is defective too? 

[joeinbcs]

Thanks for the input.
I'm going to use the Stingray vinyl, and also keep searching for perfect white used upper and lower panels. If anybody knows of some, please let me know. The carpet install is complete, and it looks much better. I did my '64 Corvette a couple years ago, and was astounded by how much difference new carpet made. The one-piece set from ACC is good quality, and fit without any trimming at all. It's a bit of a job, but requires only modest skills and an eye for detail. I sent the seats to my upholstery guy to do the backs, and I also had him build up the foam stuffing on the top of the back seat, where the foam had shrunk a little. Reasonable at $450., considering the amount of work in changing the carpet on the upper and lower seat backs. Overall, pretty happy with how she's looking.
Here's a pic.

[James Landi]

Looks very inviting--- no matter the year or the model, when the door is opened and the soft goods look new and neat, there is nothing so luxurious and so very special as a Cadillac interior

[joeinbcs]

I was lucky that the original white leather is still almost like new...only a little wear on the driver seat.
Also the steering wheel and dash are perfect.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Wow, looks good.
Jeff