reupholster time, go it myself???

[KRS]

Boat needs carpet and upholstery redone. Need to do it myself... read pros charge way too much! Small craft, 16', can be seen at: www.geocities.com/keithrstone/boat.html<br /><br />Note that it is white/maroon and needs new coverings, foam will need to stay. Many small pieces and then the side panels, lounge seats, engine cover, and the tilting piece behind the engine cover.<br /><br />Carpet should be easy.<br /><br />Need thoughts, words of reason, vendors, and help. Thank you in advance and happy boating... well to those of you with good couplers

 

[djvan]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

My boat is laid out similar to yours the upholstery wasn't that hard, the motor cover is going to get done tomorrow. I did the lounge seats also, they don't look professional but better than they were, the rest of the seats and side padding are perfect. Buy some marine vinyl and give it a try, pick the worst part of your upholstery and try that first, that way if it doesn't turn out so great it probably will be better than it was. Also if you buy the vinyl in pieces (my vinyl supplier will only take back uncut vinyl) you can try your hand at it, if you don't get the results you want you won't be stuck with enough stuff to do your whole boat and no way to do it. I just went over the old stuff, that way if it doesn't turn out you can always go back to what you had. While I'm sure someone else might have a better way, I like the results I got without the big $$upholstery shop$$ bill.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[KRS]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

Sounds like an idea... what about the fancy contrasting color raised rib at the edges, does your boat have it and how does it look with covering over it?

 

[djvan]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

No mine didn't have a colored rib, I just went over it and it looks fine, a lot better than cracked faded stuff that is. I will have to get creative with the moter cover as I don't know how to put the lacing back on. I think I will cover the sides and "lap" them up onto the top, then cut a thin piece of plywood for the top upholster it and screw it on from the bottom using just the right length screws.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[JasonJ]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

If you take your time, it isn't too bad. You can reverse engineer the original upholstry by disassembling it by cutting all the threading that holds the pieces together, you will then see how it is all sewn together. You can use the pieces as templates and guides to sewing the new upholstrey together. I used a regular sewing maching with heavy duty needles and nylon upholstry thread and did my cushions in a day (Although there wasn't that many to do).

 

[neumanns]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

I'm with jason on this one, take it apart cut matching pieces and resow. you can even do the stovepiping (ribing) this way. a seam ripper will make the dismantle much easier. Most fabric is 54 or 60 inches wide, lay out all your pieces on the floor in a strip this wide then you will know how many liniear yards you will need. Trace the pieces then cut and sow...Good luck.

 

[KRS]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

Excellent help, thank you. I have seen marine vinyl, foam backed vinyl, etc. Is just plain marine vinyl used?<br /><br />A buddy suggested that I replace the lounge seats completely, but at $129 each I think I'll wait. Even though mine are the plywood framed style, they might last a few more years.<br /><br />What is the "right" price to pay per linear yard?

 

[djvan]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

I paid $6.99 yesterday. It is not the premium stuff though. JoAnn fabrics.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[Formula1974]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

you can take a look at my finished product on my website web page <br />I dont have any before pics posted yet. but that was my first time.

 

[KRS]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

$6.99 WOW, think I will start looking at my wife's JoAnn advertisements.<br /><br />Premium shmemium.... this needs to work and look decent.<br /><br />Thank you for the picture link, maybe I'll be able to post mine in a month or so???

 

[gewf631]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

There's a couple previous posts on this subject:<br /> Here's one <br /> Or this one from a couple weeks back. <br /><br />I've purchased fabric from both JoAnne, and from the upholstery supply houses. No doubt, you'll get better stuff from those in the business, but you'll also pay more. For your purposes, the stuff from JoAnne should be fine - they carry a selection of colors, it's easy to get more (IF you run-out), and they do run sales. You're right about checking the wife's advertisements - the last time I bought some, it was 40% off!<br /><br />If you're going to do any sewing, be sure to get good thread - unfortunately, I can't remember what I used, but it wasn't the 'usual' stuff you can pick-up at Wal*Mart!<br /><br /> There's some decent how-to guides here <br /><br />Also, if you really want to do a good job, check-out the The Big Book of Boat Canvas: A Complete Guide to Fabric Work on Boats by Karen Lipe - I got a copy from my library, but new, the book's less than $15. There's only a couple chapters specifically about cushions, but there's all kinds of info about the basics.<br /><br />Best of luck, and post some pictures as you go!

 

[Formula1974]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

Joann fabrics didnt have the color we wanted but they had regular stuff for 6.99 and had the marine grade for 14.99. I ended up getting the cheap stuff at fabrics unlimited it was the same price as joann and the only place that had a color close to what we were looking for. I got the carpet at homedepot, a 6 x 9 foot roll for 14.99 it is indoor outdoor, It took 2 to do the floor and up the sides of my 16 footer. Mine has a cuddy but I didnt redo the carpet as it looked like new and I didnt wanna have to worry about getting it to stick to the ceiling.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

Hi guys ,just want to put my 2 cents in because I have redone 3 cockpits in my last 3 boats.My rule #1-NEVER use anything other than marine vinyl.I learned this rule the hard way.Rule # 2 -if you plan to keep the boat do it right the first time.Do what you are capable of and that should be plenty and leave the sewing and complicated parts to the pros.Rule#3 use ONLY monel staples.All others will rust ,ruining your work and YES even stainless staples can rust.Rule#4 Update the interior.If the old interior has 2-4 different colors dont copy it .If you do it will still look like an older boat but with a clean interior.If you eliminate the colors all together it may make it look much newer.Rule#5 when having the vinyl sewn for seats or cushions make sure that all seams visable have piping sewn into them.It will make a stronger seam and the stitching will not be exposed.I have many other rules but I hope these help.Try your best not to totally do it on the cheap.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

I don't think you need to pay someone to do the sewing, if you have any experience it is actually quite easy following the tips the other guys already gave you. Follow Jason's advice and get a heavy duty needle and thread. Good luck.

 

[KRS]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

Sounds like all I need is to have a party in my garage and invite you all to come and help me refurb my boat from top to bottom... er transom.<br /><br />Will check out those fabric stores next weekend, hopefully will find something. Only need to colors, white and maroon. See my boat at <br />www.geocities.com/keithrstone/boat.html<br /><br />Will keep orig 2 colors because it matches outside paint... unless someone sparks my imagination with a good suggestion??? <br /><br />I think I can hack (shouldn't use that word) the sewing part if I take apart the old ones, will buy scrap vinyl and practice practice and practice.

 

[wajajaja]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

check out AMERICAN TRIM & UPHOLSTERY SPL at <br /> http://www.atrim.com/ <br /> they have many choices, at 9.95 per yard, called on the phone and they sent an envelope of 32 sample pieces to choose from, ecellent shipping.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

I agree with Crazy Charlie, especially when it come to the style. I used marine grade everything, and good heavy duty thread intended for vinal upholstry. My machine is a basic machine, nothing special, but it is new (Mom bought it, never used it, gave it to me). I reproduced the piping and all of that, and the end result turned out pretty decent. The learning curve can be steep, so practicing on old material is a good idea to get a feel for what the machine will do. I have used a machine a time of two, so it wasn't as hard for me as if it would have been had I never touched a machine before.

 

[KRS]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

Good. Will practice plenty. How do you "make" piping? Also, my buddy married a girl from Sandpoint (I'm originally from Pocatello).

 

[gewf631]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

How do you "make" piping?

It's called "welting", and I really suggest you check-out the book I mentioned in my previous post. At the very least, poke-around this forum, where you'll find all sorts of information (questions and answers).<br />You might even find a local upholstery shop who would be willing to let you watch for a couple hours.<br />Paraphrasing what others have said, you can either do a good job with good materials that you'll be proud-of, or you can just slap something together (that may or may-not look OK).

 

[grimreaper]

Re: reupholster time, go it myself???

Hey before you go through all the trouble, check out the local prison. I have a 88 Sunrunner. The upholstery was in horrible shape. I live in New Jersey, and contacted the local prison. They have upholstery shops to teach the inmates a trade for when they get out. All you pay for is the material. The inmates here get $3.00 a day. I got my whole boat done for under $900.00. Check out the photos of her on e-bay Item # 2481507712 1988 Sunrunner 292. they do professional work, It looks factory new!