Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: RS1 on November 08, 2011, 05:45:36 PM
Post by: RS1 on November 08, 2011, 05:45:36 PM
Hey, I'm new to the forum and have tried browsing around to see if there is an answer to my question before posting, but didn't find it. Sorry if there is a post, just redirect me to the thread.
I am working on restoring the inside of our 85 Cougar and I wanted to reupholster the sun visor because the fabric is sagging and somewhat moldy to tell the truth. I wanted to know if anyone has any experience with doing something like that and has any tips for me.
I have removed the vanity mirror and light portion and the seams of the two halves appear to be slightly melted together. If anyone has experience with this, I'd appreciate the help.
I am working on restoring the inside of our 85 Cougar and I wanted to reupholster the sun visor because the fabric is sagging and somewhat moldy to tell the truth. I wanted to know if anyone has any experience with doing something like that and has any tips for me.
I have removed the vanity mirror and light portion and the seams of the two halves appear to be slightly melted together. If anyone has experience with this, I'd appreciate the help.
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: V8Demon on November 09, 2011, 12:19:29 AM
Post by: V8Demon on November 09, 2011, 12:19:29 AM
Are you dead set on restoring your current ones?
If not there are quite a few viable options for replacements from other FoMoCo vehicles that can be had from a salvage yard at a reasonable price.
If not there are quite a few viable options for replacements from other FoMoCo vehicles that can be had from a salvage yard at a reasonable price.
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: RS1 on November 09, 2011, 02:20:54 AM
Post by: RS1 on November 09, 2011, 02:20:54 AM
I'd prefer to restore the current ones because I can change the fabric and have them match the headliner, which I restored earlier. Also, any other visors at salvage yards would also have the same state of deterioration in the underlying foam layer.
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: V8Demon on November 09, 2011, 12:47:25 PM
Post by: V8Demon on November 09, 2011, 12:47:25 PM
I picked up a set from an '01 Explorer when I redid my interior.
$10
SPOTLESS.
Anyway, I'm having trouble trying to envision the 2 halves you speak of that are melted together. Any way you could post up a pic or 2? Might help.
$10
SPOTLESS.
Anyway, I'm having trouble trying to envision the 2 halves you speak of that are melted together. Any way you could post up a pic or 2? Might help.
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 09, 2011, 01:54:51 PM
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 09, 2011, 01:54:51 PM
Agree with the Explorer visor option IF you're looking for something different or going custom.
I just had the upholstery shop redo a set for me, in oyster-colored suede. These visors have the Homelink buttons.
(http://www.coolcats.net/ximages/visor11_01.jpg)
Colors match nicely:
(http://www.coolcats.net/ximages/visor11_02.jpg)
Homelink buttons:
(http://www.coolcats.net/ximages/visor11_03.jpg)
(http://www.coolcats.net/ximages/visor11_04.jpg)
That being said, I've always let the upholstery shop redo all of my visors, stock or otherwise.
(And believe me, I've been through some visors in these cars throughout my lifetime. At least 5 pairs in the convertible alone.)
The reason I never tackle them myself is that the shop has much better adhesive than I can ever get. Once they've got them recovered, there is never any sagging, bunching up, or misalignment. No doubt I'd have all of those with any attempt to redo them myself. Just food for thought.
I just had the upholstery shop redo a set for me, in oyster-colored suede. These visors have the Homelink buttons.
(http://www.coolcats.net/ximages/visor11_01.jpg)
Colors match nicely:
(http://www.coolcats.net/ximages/visor11_02.jpg)
Homelink buttons:
(http://www.coolcats.net/ximages/visor11_03.jpg)
(http://www.coolcats.net/ximages/visor11_04.jpg)
That being said, I've always let the upholstery shop redo all of my visors, stock or otherwise.
(And believe me, I've been through some visors in these cars throughout my lifetime. At least 5 pairs in the convertible alone.)
The reason I never tackle them myself is that the shop has much better adhesive than I can ever get. Once they've got them recovered, there is never any sagging, bunching up, or misalignment. No doubt I'd have all of those with any attempt to redo them myself. Just food for thought.
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: RS1 on November 09, 2011, 01:57:43 PM
Post by: RS1 on November 09, 2011, 01:57:43 PM
I don't know how to resize these photos yet... but they're attached. Sorry for the size. The first and second one show two different locations and they both appear to have some melting associated with the plastic. The third picture shows yet another side that does not have said melting.
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: RS1 on November 09, 2011, 02:02:05 PM
Post by: RS1 on November 09, 2011, 02:02:05 PM
I do wish to keep the visors stock because I'm not trying to customize, but just restore it back to near what it was. I'll definitely look into bringing it to an upholstery store after I try other options because 1. I just graduated and money is a bit tight since I've yet to been able to find a job (lack of experience in a bad economy sucks), 2. it's something for me to do to keep myself from going crazy, and 3. I really honestly have no idea where the nearest one is and how trustworthy they are.
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 09, 2011, 02:05:39 PM
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 09, 2011, 02:05:39 PM
Where are you located?
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: RS1 on November 09, 2011, 02:06:41 PM
Post by: RS1 on November 09, 2011, 02:06:41 PM
Portland Metro, Oregon
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: RS1 on November 09, 2011, 02:07:28 PM
Post by: RS1 on November 09, 2011, 02:07:28 PM
I guess specifically Tigard, Oregon
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 09, 2011, 02:30:40 PM
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 09, 2011, 02:30:40 PM
PM sent.
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: V8Demon on November 11, 2011, 09:04:03 AM
Post by: V8Demon on November 11, 2011, 09:04:03 AM
Eric went all secret squirrel. :hick:
He'll do right by you!
He'll do right by you!
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: flylear45 on November 11, 2011, 09:21:44 AM
Post by: flylear45 on November 11, 2011, 09:21:44 AM
Eric, what shop do you use? I'm not that far from you.
On the Homelink, is it all self-contained? That's for a garage door remote, right?
On the Homelink, is it all self-contained? That's for a garage door remote, right?
Title: 85 Cougar Sun Visor Help
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 11, 2011, 10:20:16 AM
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 11, 2011, 10:20:16 AM
It's a shop in Youngstown. They don't have a website (although I'm trying to push them in that direction).
The Homelink is self-contained, yes. It will work 2 garage doors and one remote Homelink-equipped device, so if you plug in a lamp it will turn it on. There is also a voice memo recorder. I have the Homelink visor in the Mountaineer; it was not original to the vehicle but it's easy enough to modify.
The Homelink is self-contained, yes. It will work 2 garage doors and one remote Homelink-equipped device, so if you plug in a lamp it will turn it on. There is also a voice memo recorder. I have the Homelink visor in the Mountaineer; it was not original to the vehicle but it's easy enough to modify.