I'm thinking about trying to reupholster the Buick and I would like to get some tips as far as tools, methods and a material vendor. Is there any easier type of material to use than others? Im going to try to go with vinyl and maybe do a tuck and roll. Maybe. Thanks!
I did the interior in my T. A great source for materials and tools, etc. is www.atrim.com. Good people to deal with, good service and fair prices. Hope this helps.
There is a place on Emerson on the same side as Wacko's that may have what you are looking for, he has been in town forever. The upholstery shop on Roosevelt north of NAS is a decent guy to deal with and does good work if you want to go that way.
I found a great place to get trim goodies.. Du Bois Fabrics 708-499-2040 and have all the panel boards, clips, foam, glue and all the vinyl you would need as well as Tweed . As far as the easiest materal it's not vinyl, it would be cloth of some sort.. Vinyl you have only one shot on the sewing machine, other wise you have a bunch of little holes were the needle went thru... Plus vinyl doesn't stretch like a cloth will.. It's true you could heat the vinyl and get out the wrinkles but be careful it melts easy If you do go with the vinyl just take you time, you can cheat with making the pleats. 1. vinyl layer 2. 1/2 foam 3. cloth backing Glue inbetween all the layers and make panels over size.. When dry lay out your pleats 2" 3" what ever you like and sew a line down and it will give you a pleat.. pic1 Anoth way that is fairly easy to cut strips and sew them togeather for a real pleat. Just cut 1/2 or so for seam allowance pic2 this way you could use diffrent colors pic3
Thanks, everyone. Great pics, too. I had a guy in NC who was gonna do my seats and door panels for $500, so I figure I'm ahead if I can beat that. His work didn't impress me too much, anyways. DD, I may call the guy on Roosevelt, sounds like he's right up the road from me.
Get this book- Custom Auto Interiors You're gonna need a walking foot sewing machine. Shop around. If you can find a used industrial machine/motor/table for $500 you're doing good.
I had no interior in my dump truck when I got it and puttered with door panels and such myself. Not a big deal and fun when at it long enough. POS? in the trash an start over , a real education. I plan to do my bucket body this winter and may do some of it more than once but I doubt it will be tough, as I have made the mistakes. I took our old couch to the burn pile in the woods, then to town for supplies. An outlet store deals with fabric's, wallpaper and raw leather, stopped to check it out. Staggering price on foam padding went home to the dump and unzipped the cushion covers, must be 30 bucks foam in each piece times 6 cushions. My brother paid a stupid price for boat saet recovering, staples rusted and stained, fell out before the season was over. I say try it a few times and you're still ahead of the game ($500 right?)
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