Fiberglassing custom fit seating

[Ciera2450]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

thank you Judge! I spent late last night remeasuring and drawing out the vinyl pieces and think i've got it this time. I CAN salvage some of what i've already done but I still wasted a fair amount of vinyl. Just as you said Judge, I have to measure each angled piece individually. That was my mistake the first time, the angled corner was waaaaaayyyyy off.
I'm using the hidem to run underneath of the backrest cushion, overtop of the staples holding the vinyl. Its really tricky to get the stapler in there. I may need someone to help me compress the foam while I shoot staples. Wanna come help? LoL
Have a great day everyone! I hope to get some progress on this after work this evening.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

I would if ya lived closer lol....but check your PM, and just holler if ya need help

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Judge, I really appreciate that sir. Thank you.

On the second time around things are coming out MUCH better. I started completely over...remeasuring and remeasuring, test fitting, remeasuring, and test fitting again before sewing things together. I'm much happier with how this attempt is coming along. Its not perfect and I need to accept that I won't get it exactly perfect. I just can't do it. (unless I make another one..third times the charm? hahaha)

I began by sewing the blue/gray/blue striped pieces together for a starting point....this was really the only "square" section of the seat.

Then I measured and attached the large back section, the storage area opening will be cut out after I get everything stretched and stapled down.

Once I had these two pieces together, I layed them out and used tape to hold them while measuring and planning how to tackle the angled corner. I thought of several different methods and took JDA1975's advice cut individual pieces to make the angle. The top section was basically a triangle and the backrest part was a VERY VERY odd shape. I drew it out and layed the vinyl in place and "tweaked" the measurements to get a snug fit.
Here is where i'm at:

The one part i'm concerned with is a wrinkle that I'm hoping will pull out when I cut the storage area hole in the back. Although if I pull from that side, it will move the seam out of place slightly. I can pull the wrinkle out when stretching the back...hopefully I can remedy it..

I actually have the wrinkle about half the size in that pic now, I stretched tight underneath and was able to get some of it out. Other than this wrinkle, the new seating is coming out great. My sewing skills in a few of the corners could be better(is there a trick to it??), but I'll live with it.

Thank you everyone for the help and great advice!!!!! I hope to have this done VERY soon. My birthday is Sunday and I plan to be at the lake all weekend with new seating

 

[lil buggy]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

looks great!
actually it looks good enough to not put the L cushion in.
thats one tight cover there,,, i am no expert but stand back and look at it again,,,, you seem dead on with all those complex angles. i am sure when you cut out the storage area you will be able to make that perfect.

so did ya stand back and look at it again,lol,,,, try a "frosty beverage" while lookin. you deserve it, cheers my man, ,,,, great work

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Thanks a lot mark! I actually just came back in from having a beer while sitting on the new seat (without a seat cushion) and it is rather comfy with that lil bit of foam behind the vinyl. I gives the vinyl a "plush" feel. I'm pretty sure that wrinkle will pull out of there. Tomorrow I hope to complete the seat and possibly start the vinyl for the seat cushion. That should be a breeze compared to this thing!

Thanks again man

 

[lil buggy]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

cant wait to see the update ,,, i work late but i'm gona try and get some puter time to check in
and i agree the cushion should be a breeze for you!!!! without all those angles to deal with.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Ok, got a quick question....
I have to create a hidden "pocket" that will hide the screws that attach the backrest part to the boat. In the above pic, where the gray vinyl in the corner meets the long backrest portion you can see the holes in the foam where the screws will go. I'm thinking of simply folding over the end of the vinyl piece that will attach there and stapling it tight to the backside. Any better method to do this? I have to make another "pocket" on the very end if the long backrest part as well. (it attaches in two spots)

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Those seats are looking PRO.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Thanks ezmobee! Hope to have it done tonight (if all goes well)

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Ok guys....running a bit behind tonight. I planned to have this completed this evening and I didn't quite make it. However!!!! I'm pretty excited that the "seat" part is basically done!!! Woohoo!!!! Just gotta sew up the vinyl for the seat cushion yet and this will get installed in the boat...
Here is after I wrapped and stapled the vinyl everywhere, prior to cutting out the cupholders and storage area.

After I built up the nerve to cut a hole in my brand new vinyl.....I cut out the cupholder holes and storage area. (can't see the storage area in this pic, but I have the "flap" of a door for it sewn up and ready to staple in.)

As I said before, it isn't perfect but I can live with it. (maybe..lol) My attention draws directly to the areas I am unhappy with, but other people will probably never notice. A wrinkle or two and a few funky corner stitches isn't too bad for a novice.

Thanks again everyone for the help and encouragement!!!! I'll post pics when all finished and installed..

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Thinking about the installation and realized that I will need a much smaller or possibly a right angle drill to screw the base into the boat deck. There are "cleats" inside the storage area on all four sides. I was thinking two screws in each cleat and totally overlooked that my drill won't fit in there.

Gotta start calling some friends and see who has a right angle drill....

 

[Decker83]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Been reading the thread as you go along. Your work is looking great.
It's really cool to watch someones ideals turn into reality.
Great thread.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Looks good, a few wrinkles wont bother anyone, you will be proud of that and rightly so!

 

[lil buggy]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Those seats are looking PRO.

agreed,,,,it does look pro.

all i can say there is
wow, great work!

be proud,looks like thursday is cushion day,,,, you'll still be ready for the weekend.
i cant wait to see it in, it's gonna look great with the rear bench

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Thanks a ton guys!

After posting earlier, I got a hankerin' to cut some more vinyl. So, I measured and cut out most of the pieces for the seat cushion. I bought some velcro to make an opening to be able to insert the cushion. I'm unsure exactly how and where to put the opening. The original L cushion had a zipper that "bent" around the corner and went most of the length of the backside. Do I need an opening that big to get the cushion in there????? I got sew in velcro, that will work?
Any thoughts are welcome and appreciated.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

I am now re-thinking the idea about the velcro.....I think I may just leave one end open to insert the cushion and then stitch it up by hand. I have no need to remove the cushion once in there. Any suggestions?

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

I would go with a zipper again, they are not that bad to sew in, look it on you-tube to see how to sew one into the skirt piece, then sew the skirt to the cushion top/bottom....or velcro, but hand stitching is a pain and does not nearly look as good!

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Thank you everyone for the help and advice!!!! The seat cushion took me several hours to just cut out all the darn pieces. I got it finished up this morning. I went with velcro to close the end of the cushion up. I don't have a zipper foot for the sewing machine I"m using. (grandmas)

Here she is!!!!!!

Thanks again for all the help guys!!!! Next step will be to attempt the captains chair upholstery. That looks pretty tough tho.....

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

FYI.... I'm on the lake, lounging on my new seating. Man is it comfy! The foam is firm yet comfortable. The admiral is coming later tonight and we plan to stay the weekend. I think I might take a nap on my new seat.

 

[lil buggy]

Re: Fiberglassing custom fit seating

Jimmy,,, that looks shaweet,,,,,
i keep looking at the seams and corners,,,,, that is some quality work,,,so when did you go pro?
cheers and enjoy the weekend,,, you deserve it