Comments

  • Soft Top Windows
    Thanks for all of the advice everyone! That's the only way I could think to repair it too. I agree it's not an ideal solution. They just replaced their top in the last few years but didn't quite get it in storage before we had snow so the window cracked. Hoping to help them out so they don't have to have the entire top replaced again! Thanks for the advice!!
  • Source for carpet snaps?
    If they are what I'm thinking of they're called Veltex carpet snaps. Spaenaur sells them here in Canada, I believe they sell to the USA as well.
  • SMS auto fabrics
    I haven't had any issues with them! Very quick to ship samples, and reasonable turnaround time for orders placed. Material was exactly what was ordered.

    I have always compared their samples to the material I am ordering first before buying anything though.
  • Seat Construction
    Ah shoot, I'm only seeing your message now Eric. That's a good idea, I'll have to remember for next time.

    Got the seat finished! Thanks to everyone who gave me advice!

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  • Seat Construction
    Mike, I agree with you that is really dense for foam. My customer is telling me they want to be 8" above the frame. I have a similar style seat from a Studebaker pickup and it's around 6-7 inches with the springs and everything above the frame, so hopefully it will work out the same.

    Thanks Hal, that's a really good idea to have them test fit it in their truck before I do the final cover, it's no fun making adjustments after it's all completed!
  • Seat Construction
    Awesome thank you so much Cody, that helps a lot!!
  • Seat Construction
    Thanks Cody, I appreciate your response! Glad to hear I was thinking along the right lines. If you have any pictures that would be awesome!!
  • NOS Vinyl
    Thanks Hal & Eric for the advice. I used a steamer and it works really well to soften it if I need to stretch it. around a corner. Thanks a lot!

    I hope it holds up alright, it still feels pretty thin and flimsy but at least i can get it to install a lot easier...
  • Continuing Education
    @Fred Mattson Looking forward to hearing more about your future workshops! It would be really great to connect with other trimmers. Everyone seems to have their own tricks and techniques, it's really nice to be able to share that in the auto upholstery community.
  • OEM Audi Vinyl
    Awesome thank you so much Mike! I'll contact those companies, see if I have any luck.

    Another upholsterer had repaired part of the seat before the new owner had the car and they had just used a similar colour, so I imagine I might have to do the same.
  • OEM Audi Vinyl
    The seat he brought me was peeling like crazy and i could see the mesh underlay, definitely vinyl. Unless they were reupholstered at some point, but they looked stock. It doesn't matter to me if the material is leather or vinyl, just looking for a colour match really.
  • Show off your latest custom upholstery work.
    Received a lot of advice on here to figure out how to install all of the interior panels! Seats and panels are done in Cuirtex - a hybrid leather/synthetic material that was really nice to work with.

    The name embroidered above the seat is a signature pulled from the original owner's will - his grandchildren/great grandchildren have kept the car in the family and had it restored for an upcoming wedding.

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  • 1930 Model A Coupe
    Awesome, thanks Andy! I've not heard of those clips before, they look a lot nicer to work with than Christmas tree clips!

    Thanks for the help, I'll post some pictures when I finish it!
  • 1930 Model A Coupe
    Thanks Hal, good point I'll definitely need to use Christmas tree clips in a few places to secure the panels. I hate using those things but unavoidable sometimes!

    Thanks for the link Chris, that's amazing!!!
  • 1930 Model A Coupe
    Thanks for the responses!

    Fred, it sounds like there is quite an art to doing it! Thanks so much for the detailed instructions, that's perfect, sounds like you have a ton of experience with them. I'm sorry I forgot to mention before that my customer wants me to use a vinyl/leather hybrid material for the panels, so anything through the face of it will leave holes. I'm sure it won't be the last Model A I work on, so I'm excited to try your method when I do work on another.

    Chris, he's keeping the car original, but wants the headliner and interior panels to be done in a vinyl/leather hybrid (as well as the seat). I like your idea, I think that should work perfectly! I just drill holes in the aluminum so I can push the clips through?
  • Tech Talk
    Thank you very much everyone for the input! It went pretty well! I ended up having a lot less time to talk than I expected, so I ended up mostly talking about leather and how to maintain it, and then answered everyone's questions.

    Was a good experience, but hopefully I'll get another opportunity in the future to give a broader scope on the auto upholstery industry.

    @Fred Mattson I really like the idea of demoing a seat cover install! It's a great opportunity to show upholstery in action and you can answer questions and explain what you're doing as you go. It would also demonstrate how much easier and more professional the final product is when you have the right tools and materials and know what you're doing.