Has anyone recovered their seats at home?

[biglurr54]

My boat is ready for new Vinyl all around. While trying to figure out how to recover everything I got to thinking. Would it be more budget friendly to purchase sowing machine and vinyl by the yard and stitch the seats my self. I have done some stitchign before just never with Vinyl. I have wrapped seats with vinyl and mocked up vinyl for a shop to stitch for me. Would I need a commercial sowing machine or could i get by with a house hold one?

 

[No-Worries]

Re: Has anyone recovered their seats at home?

Hey, I don't know your financial situation at all but I do know I recovered my 1989 Sunbird Corsica myself and would never do it again. It was a great learning experience and gave me knowledge when it came to upholstering my ski sport. I spent about 500 dollars in everything it took to upholster my boat from the staples, to stapler, marine vinyl, plastic, wood, and other stuff. I am paying a guy 1150 now to do the same thing to my ski sport. It is well worth it. The time I spent learning and doing was way more than just paying the 1150.00 He is even embroidering "No Worries" on the back seats and really doing up the upholstery. Hey just save the money and pay an upholster.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Has anyone recovered their seats at home?

There are several ways to approach that job. When I renovated my Bowrider, which has lots of cushions, I purchased new back to back seats, and then bought matching vinyl to make the other cushions. That boat had front cushions, front bolsters, side panels, rear jump seats, motor box and rear sunpad. It would have cost a fortune to have them made. I used my Grandmother's factory Singer Sewing machine to stich the vinyl. It can stich 4-6 layers of the stuff. I do not think a "vanilla" home sewing machine can do that.

You also need to know your limitations. All the cushions had plywood backing. I only had to make the three sides, and staple it to the wood. I also know how to make cording, which makes the job look professional. Use nylon coat thread for the stiching and stainless steel/monel staples. A cording foot for the sewing machine helps as well

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Has anyone recovered their seats at home?

Im with no worries. It was a pain in the butt to do mine, and i didn't even do the lounge seats, only the back jump seats, and seats in the bow. Its almost cheaper to have someone else do it with the cost of the tools and vinyl (unless you borrow the tools)

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Has anyone recovered their seats at home?

I found a good deal on a heavy duty canvas sewing machine. I already bout new back to backs. I just have a few small pads to replace. 8 one foot by one pads. They all are easily removed and all have ply wood backs so the will just staple over. Ive found the correct piping to match everything else. I think this will save me a lot in the long run. Eventually the side pads will need to be replaced.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Has anyone recovered their seats at home?

I am an upholsterer, so PM me if you have any specific questions.

If you spring on the commercial machine, make sure that it is a walking foot machine and comes complete with the welt (cording) foot.

Take the old cushions apart if you have them and use them as a pattern. Follow the same method of reconstruction as you did removing them. Use ONLY the proper UV resistant thread or you'll be redoing them again next year.

Use a hair dryer to soften up the vinyl prior to installation. Use SS staples.

Take one cushion to your local upholstery shop and ask them to show you how to do it. I have had people come into my shop many times for pointers and I have absolutely no problem showing them. It's getting to be a dying art and any opportunity to pass along knowledge is usually met with enthusiasm.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Has anyone recovered their seats at home?

Well i got my Sewing machine. it has everything I need except a welting foot. I may just use the zipper foot. it also has a walking foot attatchment. I got some #90 leather needles for it. I also picked up some cheap vinyl to practice on while i wait for all my other vinyl to come in. I think this process will go smoothly. I have some good ideas on how to do everything and make it look factory. I also have a book on sewing Marine upholstery. Ill keep everyone updated as i go on with it. im sure ill have a ton of questions.