For a long while now Ive been extremely interested in doing interiors. Theres something about an interior that just makes a car finished. Problem is that Ive never really done do much upholstery work other that wrapping panels and consoles and such. What kinds of things do you all prefer an entry level guy to know, when theyre coming to you looking for a job. We have quite a few shops around here, and I want to have a leg up and earn myself as much of an advantage and to have a better chance of landing a job. Im extremely hands on and thrive in environments where I am the one physically doing the work.I truly want to learn and want to get into the business but I want to do it the best way possible. Any suggestions?
I know a fella out here who helped at an upholstery shop, and he started off blasting seat springs/frames, sewing burlap pockets for coils, etc...all the stuff that doesn't show in a finished interior.
Is there a trade school near you? This is a hard job to learn on your own. It is very exacting and details are very important. If you can go to a trade school you can get hands on experience and practice. It is a rare shopowner who will let an inexperienced hand loose on a paying customers car, you need to know what you are doing. I don't want to discourage you, in fact just the opposite, but this is a trade that takes years and years to become good at. The sad truth about the upholstery business is that there are not so many hot rods and customs that need new interiors as there are dirty old used cars that need a bit here and a piece there replaced. Used car lots don't want to pay one penny more than they have to so they try to squeeze the shop owner. They new guy gets all the dirty work, he takes cars apart then puts the finished work back together. If you can find a trade school to learn basic sewing, fitting, proper use of materials etc while you work at a shop you will be way ahead of the game.
thanks. i fully understand that most shops cater to the everyday car owner and dealer. i actually dont mind doing the grunt work as long as im learning something. I understand its an involved trade that requires a good amount of skill. Id love to go back to school, but after spending 5 years in Art school im not sure i can really afford to go back.
If you really want to get into the uph business you can't afford NOT to go to trade school, not 5 years 1 year will giv e you basic skills. With an art background this might be just the thing for you.
Seems to me you need to find a trade school with the right course, find out when the course starts, how much, can you do it part-time? If you find a night course, then you can approach the manager of every shop, explain your interest, and tell him you're prepared to go to night school at your own expense if he'll employ you doing the rough stuff. Employers need to have new guys coming into the trade to offset all the old farts retiring, so they do need you (to a certain degree).
As said above, basic skills are a must. Sewing on a industrial machine being #1. If you are that interested in learning upholstery you should take a cl***, some schools have night cl***es once or twice a week. I have no problem keeping myself busy with the older stuff, and I know others that don't have a problem either. But just walking into a upholstery shop and working there is going to require some lottery luck. Most shops are either a family based business or like me don't want to deal with the employee bs. I wish you luck Jennie
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