Upholstering seats

[Pilot9541]

I need to replace the wood in my boat seats because of rotting. My idea is to remove the upholstery staples and just remove the wood piece, cut another one exacty to match from marine plywood, then set it back on the foam padding and staple the old fabric back over the wood. My questions are..... Is this feasable?? What kind of staples do i use?? Stainless?? Any info would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Pilot9541

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Upholstering seats

Sounds OK, and yes use stainless staples, ordinary steel ones will rust in no time and make a real mess!<br />I used contact cement and staples to do my upholstery recently, the glue holds the fabric in place until you get the staples in, and allows for a bit of repositioning first.

 

[gewf631]

Re: Upholstering seats

Either Stainless Steel or Monel® (white copper-nickel alloy) staples should work fine.<br /><br />How do the seats sit? Don't mean to be a smart-a$$, but while you've got the seats off, maybe you want to look at replacing the foam. If the old stuff is getting soft you could replace it (foam is available at most sewing/fabric supply places, such as JoAnne Fabrics).

 

[G DANE]

Re: Upholstering seats

Where do you get stainless stables, I'm having a hard time getting some here in DK, so an online place is preferable.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Upholstering seats

Here is one of the places I found. I found it by just putting in "stainless steel staples" on Google as my search.<br /><br />Try here

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Upholstering seats

Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Just read the packages. A standard sized box of SS staples from Arrow is like $18 I think.<br /><br />I'd also seal the wood for protection.

 

[dcpcccrc]

Re: Upholstering seats

you definetly want to seal the wood or you will be doing it again in two years just use any kind of paint you got and put it on as thick as possible after all your covering it

 

[xberet]

Re: Upholstering seats

I have one suggestion while you're working on acquiring your materials... I just did basically what you're doing on my '64 Fabuglas Fury. Was roaming the local fabric shop and found a synthetic substitute for foam (it's sort of fibery, if that's a word). I read the specs on the stuff and one advantage it has over foam is that it won't mildew, in fact, moisture simply has no effect on it. Perhaps as importantly, it's 1/4 or less the price of actual foam. This allowed me to replace the original 2 and 3 inch foam with 4 inch. Not only am I pleased with the results but consistently when someone new gets into my boat, the first thing they do is rave over how comfortable the seats are. Don't have the heart to tell them it's basically because I'm cheap!

 

[Sean Riddle]

Re: Upholstering seats

Hi xberet , I recentlty inherited an old '62 Fabuglas from my grandfather and am starting a resto on it. Only problem is I have no idea what make it is. Do you mind sendin some pics of yours so I can compare my Fabuglas with yours??? My e-mail is seanriddle@bellsouth.net Thanks so much, RR