Restoring sun visors - help required

[Alan_M]

Has anyone restored their sun visors?

I would like to replace the stiff foam that makes up the main body of the visor. Does anyone know of a suitable material?
Also, when they were last done by a PO the mirror has been removed and I would like to replace it. Again does anyone know were I could get one?

Thanks

[bash]

I used some stiff thick card ( almost like hardboard ) that was covered in some thin foam stuck to both sides, because the visor has a wire frame this felt as good as the original and has been on my car for abour 4 years with no problems. My mirror was good so didnt need to replace it, on a second car I did the mirror silvering was gone, unfortunately they are plastic and heat bonded on so I left it alone but what I was on the lookout for was a childs plastic safety mirror that could be cut to shape and bonded onto the exiting one, I didnt think glass would be a good idea.
Hope youve got some patience with a tiny needle and I would invest in some poundland gimmer glasses at about 3 times magnification, if you are further than a foot away you cant see a thing but are great for close up work, makes me look windswept and interesting too !

Bash

[Alan_M]

Thanks Bash

I think I will do something similar. I have been looking on flea bay to see if I could pick up a cheap sun visor I could cannibalise for the mirror.

[bash]

By the way, make sure you get the tension right on the bolts and washers that hold it together before you refit the panel and that they actually keep the visor in the up position. If you slap the back of the panel a few times with your hand simulating some rough roads and they dont fall down they should be ok. This worked for three out of the 4 visors Ive done so its not idiot proof but its worth doing and might save having to take the header rail off again. Also use the red hot end of a narrow screwdriver to put the screwholes thro the fabric in the correct postion on the header rail after youve trimmed it, doing it by this method fuses the edges of the hole rather than ripping it thro with the screw and stops the screw winding up the fabric as you screw through.

Bash

[Hawaiis0]

Anyone know the ball park figure for re-trimming sun visors by a 'professional'

[Lee1]

Anyone know the ball park figure for re-trimming sun visors by a 'professional'

........I think that mine cost about £80 Stu,although they are the same material on both sides.

[Alan_M]

Anyone know the ball park figure for re-trimming sun visors by a 'professional'

Lotus bits sell refurbished ones for £80 +VAT for a pair. I’ve never seen them so do t know what they are like.

[majcd213]

I read somewhere of using expanding builders foam. As I recall you have to clamp the visor between 2 flat plates and inject the foam through a small hole in the top seam. This should expand across the infil and set. I've never done it but it sounds promising?

[Johnwindwood]

We bought a complete headlining kit, including visors, from Lotusbits. Only fitted it recently.
Annoyed to discover that the visors are coming apart near the pivot rod because the glue seems to have failed.
Need to get onto LB to sort it out-paid a fortune for that kit!

[Hawaiis0]

We bought a complete headlining kit, including visors, from Lotusbits. Only fitted it recently.
Annoyed to discover that the visors are coming apart near the pivot rod because the glue seems to have failed.
Need to get onto LB to sort it out-paid a fortune for that kit!

Just a friendly tip. Speak to LB before ranting - I know it's hard, but if they dont know there's a problem they cant help. And they will !

[Johnwindwood]

We bought a complete headlining kit, including visors, from Lotusbits. Only fitted it recently.
Annoyed to discover that the visors are coming apart near the pivot rod because the glue seems to have failed.
Need to get onto LB to sort it out-paid a fortune for that kit!

Just a friendly tip. Speak to LB before ranting - I know it's hard, but if they dont know there's a problem they cant help. And they will !

Oh I'm not ranting- just pointing it out. I will be in touch with them shortly, don't worry!

[majcd213]

I think it's a good thing to post problems with parts whether or not they are effectively resolved... But its equally important to post satisfaction with their quality, good customer service and effective problem resolution. Problems are always annoying but as original parts dry up I guess they will become more common.