Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

[Woodonglass]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

Again, if you enjoy the DIY aspects and you feel you are a good "HandyMan" type person that has skill with your hands and can learn from watching videos, you CAN learn to sew well enuf to do a GOOD job of Upholstery. I've seen Too many guys here on the forum that had NEVER seen a sewing machine that have done it, including ME!!! You have to be honest with yourself and if you struggle keeping a Jigsaw in a straight line then maybe it won't be for you but if you can do a decent job @ woood working etc. you can do upholstery good enuf for your boat.

That's my story, and I'm stickin to it.

 

[garrett113]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

I would start out by cutting some nice straight sample pieces 18''x3'' maybe about 40 of them, sit down for a while and practice your basic seem, top stitch and pipping. After you have practiced for a while evaluate whether its something you want to take on. If you do pipping, just my opinion but I would get the pre made stuff it will save you time and it will be perfectly uniform all the way. Also if you wanted to do it a different color you wont have to buy more vinyl. If you still aren't sure check out craigs list for upholsterers, it will be far cheaper then going through any shop. and just like they said before just have him sew the new covers. If you decide to take it on and have questions I'm an experienced upholster and am glad to help and have several tips to help you get a professional end result.Good luck!

 

[jimmy wise]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

ok....wood buddy what marine vinyl are you buying for 7 a yard? I buy good stuff its as much as 25 a yard.
im gonna help you out here. if your cushions are flat with straight sides up and down. take your ply wood and make the foam half and inch bigger all the way around. make your vinyl top the same as the foam ie half an inch bigger than the wood. glue it to 1/4 inch foam. take your foam thickness add a couple inches so you can work with the vinyl and measure around the foam to get the length of the boxing add extra length. glue it to 1/4 foam. welt or no welt up to you. I set you up with a half inch seam allowance . pick your starting point leave a couple inches loose so you can sew boxing together. put the seam on the side you don't see. now sew the boxing on with a half inch allowance. stop and leave room to sew the ends together..... pull the ends together and mark line then trim to half inch seam allowance and sew. look the 1/4 foam controls wrinkles the 1/2 of foam over size puts a nice look on the cushions. if you need photos I might be able to help. if you don't understand ask. this way is a lot better than shrunken old vinyl for patterns. learn to pattern! that's the key to nice boat seats jimmy

 

[Gator1996]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

Zool, garrett and jimmy.
Thanks for chiming in. I am going to take a look around town and CL just to see. It's not that I don't want to try as I said a mistake can be pretty expensive. I will definitely get some practice in before going head first though.

Jimmy-am I missing something on the vinyl? I got what I thought was good stuff for just under $6/yd. How do I judge the quality are there certain specs I should look for? Is there a particular brand name that would be better quality? I don't want to scrimp on something that will get a lot of traffic but I really had no idea that there is such a difference. Can yo provide some insight?

Thanks again to all. I'll keep you posted.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

WOG's vinyl supplier @evil-bay

And just like most DIY @iboats there is good, better & best. Most of us are working towards the best possible boat we can afford & complete. We all know we'd would always like to fall under the BEST category for every facet of our builds. That just isn't possible, and anyone attempting to resto a boat should KNOW that going in. From both a material & a skill level point of view.

Is $6-7/yd marine vinyl capable of doing what we as DIY boat builders attempting to do our own upholstery need it to do? YES

Is it worse then $25/yd vinyl? Not in my opinion. I think of it as comparing $40/gal single stage paint that WILL get what I need done, done, to a $400/mixed gal 2part paint. Yes they are both PAINT, but the are not the SAME. But I am probably not capable of getting a $400/gal paint to LOOK, turn out & more durable by a factor of 10, better then $40/gal paint. If I was even capable equipped to shoot it, which I am most certainly not.

Does that ^^^ make sense?

If anyone wants to recommend top of the line equipment, Juke, Consew & other $250 & up, used machines (MUCH more new) and 4 times more expensive materials, do so. But to say that a $50 craigs sewing machine & $6-7/yd vinyl patently won't or can't do the job at hand, simply isn't accurate. WOG, for 1, proves it IS possible.

Make sure to get UV protected marine vinyl, and UV stable thread (also available @evil-bay from WOG's supplier).

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

I was surprised at how accommodating our upholstery shop was in sharing the work with me when we had several seats and a sunpad repaired. We had just a panel in the seats and sunpad that had gone bad (a metalic panel aged badly and cracked). I worked out an arrangement with them where I removed the vinyl and staples (taking lots of pics to document how it all went together) and they replaced the bad section of the vinyl and reassembled the seats. Cost much less than reupholstering the entire piece. More importantly, though, it taught be to be ready to look at alternatives to all-or-nothing arrangements on getting upholstery done.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

I was surprised at how accommodating our upholstery shop was

They got paid for the work they did do, didn't take up much shop/employee time, AND if you ever need upholstery work, esp an entire boat's upholstery, you WILL more then likely us them, probably w/out even price shopping another shop... Win/win........

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

They got paid for the work they did do, didn't take up much shop/employee time, AND if you ever need upholstery work, esp an entire boat's upholstery, you WILL more then likely us them, probably w/out even price shopping another shop... Win/win........

Correct on all counts! We absolutely will go to them again.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

JW,

Here's the specs from my vendor on some of the stuff he sells for $9.99 a yd.
Specifications:

• 37 ounce per linear yard
• MVSS-302
• Cal. Fire Code 117
• Ultraviolet Stable Pigment
• Mildew Resistant
• Fed. Spec. CID A-A-2950
• BIFMA Class 1
• FAA, FAR 25.853
• Port Authority of NY/NJ
• Boston Fire Code
• Sulfide Stain Resistant
• Oil Resistant
• Static Dissipative
• ASTME 1428-Pink Stain Test
• -20? F Cold Crack
• 250,000 Double Rubs (Abrasion Resistance)

What's the spec's on the stuff you use??

I see NO reason to buy $25 a yard stuff when I can buy this. I chose to get some "Close Out" stuff for actually $5.99 a yd when I did my boat since I had NO experience and wasn't sure how my results would turn out. I was pleasantly surprised with my job. Is it good enuf to be called a PRO Job, prolly not, but everybody that see's it asks me what shop did it and when I tell em I did it on my HOME Machine they don't believe me. For a DIY'er It's good enuf for me. All stitches are Locked, Start and finish, Correct Thread was used, Correct Staples were Used. Not sure what a shop would have done different except the big machines use bigger stitches which poke fewer holes in the vinyl. I've Used the pro machines when I did my son's VW Bus Seats. They are Fantastic and I will have one next week. But for a first time DIY job the Blue Flamingo seats with the $5.99 "Close Out" Special Vinyl and the old 1960 Morse FotoMatic machine with her 3/16" stitches will do just fine, Thank You very Much!!! I learned a lot and had a Blast doing it.

 

[jimmy wise]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

I just saw this and I will get specs for you. which manufacturer is it? I use mellohide, bolta flex, ship to shore, endure tex. depending on what material depends on price. I recommend the good machines because it allows a better result. they have better parts available. I try and produce a premium product, I have to warranty my stuff. if the cushion is layed out like I said it will look and fit great. my point is everyone wants to save money on materials, saving the labor isn't enough. use the better stuff, you get better product. I know I cant convince anyone that 400.00 a gallon paint is better than 40. a gallon paint but it is if applied right. some stuff is crazy money.....like pour in foam or foam for seats. I love diy people ......I want them to succeed. also which supplier

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

My vendor is NOT a specific dealer and does not advertise BRANDS. Automotive Vinyls, Marine Canvas items in Marine Vinyl store on eBay! They deal with End of Roll specials etc that I believe he gets from the Major MFG's and sells at big discounts. If you need limited quantities like most (DIYers) then he's a great resource. TJ's products are as good as some of the PRO vinyl I've seen and more than 50% cheaper. I understand being a IN BUSINESS pro what you have to do for your customers, but...DIY'ers are going to go On The Cheap as much as possible. I did and got great Durable results. I also know the benefits of a Pro Machine but for the DIY'er the Cost of these machines is just not worth it, especially when you can get more than satisfactory results with a $50 dollar machine from Craigslist. Besides a DIY'er only has to answer to himself. No warranties, guarantees or upset customers!!!!

 

[jimmy wise]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

nice vendor wood! anything nuagahide is good a lot of the stuff is boltaflex or nautaflex both good stuff. the prices are what I would expect wholesale. so good for you guys. some vinyl is hard to work with its stiff. but you diy guys are saving a bundle. Im worse with paint....for my trailer I use epoxy primer and Sherwin Williams genesis paint. it covers well 1 double coat. but its big money 250 or more a gallon plus hardener and accelerator and reducer. but it is highly chip resistant, fuel proof, and helps with corrosion. good night jimmy

 

[Gator1996]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

Trimjobber on ebay was the guy I used for foam and vinyl when making the gunwale trim panels. Foam was better quality than what I could find locally and much cheaper. Same thing on the vinyl. What I found at all the fabric shops or craft places here locally felt the same or lighter weight and was sometimes 4 times more expensive.

While I am the only judge that really does matter, like most on this site I also want the best result that can be obtained within my financial means. In this case, I don't have to concern myself with safety as an issue so I feel comfortable with the materials I have used barring any overwhelming evidence to the contrary. So I will stay the course, look into some local upholsterers while practicing my sewing skills. After Christmas, either I will have found a pro that I can work with or I will be putting my head down and doing my best to handle the job myself.

Again, thanks for the input from all. It is a great benefit to get honest opinions and past experience form you guys.

 

[pole position]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

Looking at a FSG325 Toyota sewing machine with walking foot. I have an old Singer machine but looking to move up as it is hard to do vinyls or Isinglas on.Anyone have any input on these.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

That is NOT a true Walking Foot Machine. It's an ADD ON attachment. You can get one for any basic sewing machine. I had one for mine and it Kinda Worked but not like a True Walking Foot. There is no substitute for the Real Thing. I'd keep looking. That's MY opinion and it's worth what you paid for it.:lol:

 

[pole position]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

Thanks WOG,I'll keep looking.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

I was surprised at how accommodating our upholstery shop was in sharing the work with me when we had several seats and a sunpad repaired. We had just a panel in the seats and sunpad that had gone bad (a metalic panel aged badly and cracked). I worked out an arrangement with them where I removed the vinyl and staples (taking lots of pics to document how it all went together) and they replaced the bad section of the vinyl and reassembled the seats. Cost much less than reupholstering the entire piece. More importantly, though, it taught be to be ready to look at alternatives to all-or-nothing arrangements on getting upholstery done.

my guy is very accommodating, even helping/telling me what is best when prepping projects for him or finishing what he has gotten ready for me. Plus I pay cash and do not get a receipt. He appreciates that.

 

[V153]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

A sign in my office reads: "Cash Is Cheerfully Accepted (with 2 forms of ID ...)

Nothing i despise more than pulling staples. Specially if'n they're nasty. If the customer is willing/capable of removing the staples'n cleanin up the wood? I'll knock a fair chunka change off'n the price.

Yo rj I'll be finishin up a full cockpit cover tomorrow am for a Wellcraft similar to yer Carver. Woulda had it done today but the emmer effer din't show up til after 10. P'd me off lemme tell ya. Full cockpit covers for wacs are tougher than most cuz you wind up having to add material to your 'blank' in a few places. I'll posta couple pics.

Far's sewin machines go I'm kinda partial to Consew. Got me a couple of em. Juki's a good machine too, so's Pfaff. Adlers are okay. What you don't want is any machine with an add-on walking foot. (We call em 'strap-on' walking feet round here ...)

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

Far's sewin machines go I'm kinda partial to Consew.

I have a Consew 226R-2. Very good machine.

V153, I think you have seen my machine before and it has the very same places where the paint is worn off!

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Upholstery Questions-All opinions welcome

I love my Juki and considering the price (free) even better. It lacks a walking foot (walking needle instead) it's fast, powerful, and very easy too use...did I mention fast?

I agree with wood on his approach to upholstery work...take you time, play around a bit and buy the best vinyl you can justify (paraphrasing). I used veada.com as they offer the Spradling line (middle grade according to the local upholstery guy). I used in on my Baja and now on my CC...so far so good.

I use the T50 ss 3/8" staples, by swingline, in my HF el cheapo pneumatic stapler ($17~ @ HF) I'm up to 5,000 staples!

So, in summary, I say do it yourself...you will be surprised how easy it is if you just practice and take your time? One panel at a time!

~Brett