TECH:Upholstery 101 - Seat Covers (Dial-up warning lots o' pix)

Mike, Fantastic Tech Bro...

 

Everybody that's had kind words to say, I thank you very much. Now that everyone's stitching up their own interiors my big fat royalty checks should start rolling in!!

 

AWESOME tech post Mike! Sure is ALOT of work and most now will be able to apprecaite the time and cost involved in doing a nice interior. Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to post this thread. I'm sure you've inspired MANY here to give it a try.

 

Mike, you use vinyl over the springs. Any reason not to use burlap which is what was covering my springs when I disassembled the seats. I'd sure have loved to have this tech note a few months ago when I started my seats and the pleated sections. I stumbled my way through basically doing the same things (except stitching down my lines instead of alongside them). Thanks for the fine article/advice/tech.

 

Awesome post!! After an upholstery post a few months ago I signed up for a sewing class and learned the basics of operating a machine. My wife bought me a pretty nice machine for Christmas and I've been messing with it since. This post clears up a lot of questions for me that the upholstery book I have made me more confused about. Thanks Mike!

 

Sure, you can use burlap. It'll work fine - I had some vinyl on hand so I used that. The idea is to cover the spring deck with something that'll keep the foam or whatever padding you have from falling into or getting cut by the springs.

I like vinyl because I always have some extra laying around that's been paid for by a previous job.

 

excellent post!

 

damn! i thought id replyed to this 2 days ago???hmm...ohh well! now i will
VERY KOOL POST MIKE!!!!!!! i have nothing smartassed to ad, [if ya can believe that! ].......
now do one on door panels, and you'll never get your truck trade done!

 

This is a "Winner" Tech. Great Job Mike.

 

Well done! Awesome post.

I'm confused about one step though. I assume that after the cover is in position and ready to be fastened down that you pull the sheet of plastic out. What happens if you tear it? Or does it slide right out?

 

You just leave the sheet of plastic in there. It's a very thin and slippery film and you'll never know it's there. Or you can spray the inside of the cover and the foam with silicone. The idea is to give the cover the ability to slip a little bit so you can fine tune the fit.

Remember, never spray silicone anywhere near anything you ever plan to paint, just to be safe. Nobody wants to be reminded of their upholstery when looking at fisheyes in their paint.

 

Mike, nice job on the tech how-to, with lots of pics. For a smartass

 

Very very nice! Man I'd be proud to have a seat like that!

 

Phil
Try this site as I have had good luck with upholstery supplies with them:www.garysupholstery.com

glenn