How to fix upholstery panel?

[johnflash]

Hi,
I have a 92 Rinker fiberglass I/O open bow. The backs of the seats in the bow are the bow itself. The backs are vinyl wrapped around plywood. These panels are kept in place with screws - the screws go thru the bow and are threaded into the plywood. Hopefully this side view diagram will show it.

_________ 
\  bow  \      inside of boat
 \       \-----
  \       \    \   <-- panel
   \      O***  \  <--- screw (head to the left)
    \       \    \  
     \       \    \
      \       \-----
       \       \

The issue is that the plywood in the panels is rotting out and must be replaced. Pulling the panel off will cause the screws to drop but there is no way to fit your hand (much less a screwdriver or angle drill) into the space to drive in new screws. Does any one have any ideas or know of a special fastener to use to attach a panel to the wall ? One option would be to drive screws with decorative washers thru the panel and then into the wall in the other direction but that would show many screw heads... and would be uncomfortable for a back rest.

Thanks in advance.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How to fix upholstery panel?

Typically you will find the screws in the rolls of the panels facing towards the hull. If the screws were put in from the back then there must be a way to get your hand in there.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: How to fix upholstery panel?

If the screws were put in from the back then there must be a way to get your hand in there.

They may have been attached before the cap and hull were joined.

 

[bigdirty]

Re: How to fix upholstery panel?

yup, the panels on my radar arch were attached BEFORE they installed the arch on the boat.. buggers...

 

[Fireman431]

Re: How to fix upholstery panel?

Pull the rotted plywood panels off and either repair or make new ones. Cut 1 1/2" holes in the backs of the panels and install with speed clips, which are surface mounted to the inside of the hull. Panels are then removeable by simply pulling upward which allows them to dry out and ends the rot problem.

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: How to fix upholstery panel?

Or use industrial strength Velcro

 

[redneck joe]

Re: How to fix upholstery panel?

or face screw and use:

Where I get them I also get my vinyl and get matched to the color.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: How to fix upholstery panel?

padded trim is usually attached with "T" nuts... would think there's a way to get back there.. if not.....you do what u have to..

 

[johnflash]

Re: How to fix upholstery panel?

Spoils and Big Dirty got it right - it seems the upholstery was attached prior to the hull and cap being attached - almost zero room in the space between the two. Thanks for all of your ideas... any suggestions as to the best site(s) to find the speed clips and screw/padded cover? hmmm and vinyl too.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: How to fix upholstery panel?

I used veada.com for vinyl. WOG has an ebay store he uses (prices are awesome), only caveat is if you need more vinyl after the fact, it may not be available?

As far as speed clips, a quick search on the internet yielded nothing. Talk with a local upholsterer, they might help you locate them or have some?

Auto and Marine Fabric, Tops and Trim - Outdoor and Contract Fabric
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Lot's of good upholstery supplies here!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How to fix upholstery panel?

I'd use Christmas Trees.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: How to fix upholstery panel?

... any suggestions as to the best site(s) to find the speed clips...

UPHOLSTERY CLIPS - Garelick Eez-In