Not quite ready just yet, still working on bigger issues. But want to track down a source for someone to do a leather bench seat for my truck and don't want to wait until the last minute. I can always get that done and store it. Not sure how long someone might need to take to do what I want. I am thinking of doing a pretty heavy tough leather like on a bike seat with maybe some decorative touches stamped in. Anybody got any good recommendations for someone not super far away that could maybe help me with that? I checked the phonebook, Craigslist and a quick google search, but no luck with any of that. Thanks.
Something along the lines of this seat (pic borrowed from one of the Mooneyes threads - thanks whoever and nice bike/seat to bike owner). Not necessarily the graphic type or style, but just the general character, craft and feel of this kind of leather. Obviously being a cushioned bench seat, the leather techniques will be a bit different and not as solid and firm as the bike seat.
Try King Kustom Kovers in Hayward...Ask for Mark.I preety sure if they can't do it,they know someone local who can....
I really don't think you want a seat made out of that leather. That is a tooling leather. While it is a very tough and durable leather. It is not practicle as uphostery material. Works fine for small bike seats and purses, but would be hard to work with on a project as big as a truck seat. Find a place that sells hides and go look for yourself. There are stores that sell to the public. Tandy Leather, and The Leather Factory just to name a couple. Check your local Yellow Pages.
Usually You would need to use a softer thinner leather for seats, as they aren't stretched the same as bike seats. If you are only looking for a hide that looks rough and distressed but is actually reletively supple I would try leatherwise in santa cruz. He's a really great guy, and has stuff from all over the world. I use his stuff quite a bit when I'm looking for something out of the ordinary. -Chris
Yeah, I do know what you are saying and agree. I don't expect to make the seat out of the tooling or saddle leather, or at least not the whole seat. I realize it will be too hard and stiff to work well as a cushioned seat. But, I don't want a normal soft leather either. Kind of something in between. Thinking one idea might be to just do the front edge of the lower cushion and top edge of the back cushion in a heavier leather with a decorative tooling and then the sitting parts in a bit softer leather. That way the wear edges are durable and the sitting areas are softer and more flexible. But, I would like a leather artist person to do it so it will be a nice surprising touch to an otherwise stock looking truck, well besides the blown hemi part and custom box by Matt Seret as well. Maybe something like this sketch.
I am sure they could help me out and lend me a "hand", but the "price" might be more than I could handle.
Thanks for the tip and I agree as above. At this point, I am hoping to find a leather artist to do it for me so it will be a bit more artistic. I can probably get the material and do it myself. My mother use to do leather when I was little and still remember a bit about it and it is just a simple bench seat so can't be that hard. But, hoping to maybe pull in a artist and help me with something just slightly over the top cool, but fitting for a Studebaker truck. Maybe some kind of cross between hot rod (hemi) and western (farm truck). That is the artist part I am not sure about and might be nice to work with somebody experienced and talented in leather work.
little closer than Sid down in SSF you could try Bob Divine in Martinez? Divines Custom Interiors 3503 Pacheco Blvd, Martinez, CA, 94553 925-229-4559
dude! you live in berzereley you should get some gennie hippiehide interior! but make sure it is properly sterilzed prior to installation, as it may smell and cause skin irritation and or curious rashes.
Well, yeah need to be careful around here, real careful. Maybe a good reason to actually go with the "Hippy Killer" theme as well. Might be a good deterrent for some of the uber freaks and when the bums peak in and think it might be a good spot to camp out for the night. It might make them think twice - if they can actually read of course - might need some "graphic" graphics too for the illiterate types.
need the bumpersticker: "missing your hippie? try looking under my tires" or: "petchuli oil: hidding that 4 week ol'hippie funk for 50 years"
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