Vinyl upholstery question

[torcano]

On my boat there is a colored piping that separates the two sections of the seat cushions that make up the back rest. Does anyone know if this is hot glued in place and easily removable? The piping (also called a welt I think) looks to be vinyl as well. I would like to change it to a different color but do not want to damage the seat covering if it is more integrally attached.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Vinyl upholstery question

Usually the piping is sewed in . . .

 

[torcano]

Re: Vinyl upholstery question

Thanks but that's a bummer. Maybe I can paint it with my Bilgekote paint!

 

[Gosub]

Re: Vinyl upholstery question

What about painting it with vinyl spray paint?

 

[torcano]

Re: Vinyl upholstery question

I never heard of that but if it exists that may work. Thanks. I'll research it.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Vinyl upholstery question

Its definitely sewn in.

Try some of this, I used it once on a Sea-Doo with good results:
http://www.bryndana.com/

It will probably be hard to recolor just the piping, but maybe you can mask the rest of the seat off, or perhaps just brush the colorbond on. As far as durability, I know it lasted well for a year after I put it on that Sea-Doo until I sold it. How it's stood up in the long run I can't say.

 

[torcano]

Re: Vinyl upholstery question

Thanks for that great link. I will probably mask off the area and give it a shot. That looks like exactly the right product.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Vinyl upholstery question

Put up a pic. If it is between the panel that you lean against and the panels on the sides, then it is sewn in. If it's between the back that you lean againt and the very outside back of the seat, then it's stapled on.

 

[torcano]

Re: Vinyl upholstery question

Thanks for the additional information. Using a dye sounds like the way to go. I will take ownership of the boat in 5 days and then I can post a picture. The welting runs horizontally across the back rest about one third up. In the later model years the welting was silver against white vinyl. In my boat it is gold which is not as subtle. The silver gray is more to my taste. I will be able to fully assess the situation in a few days when I take ownership. If I can remove the welting without damaging anything my preference will be to just replace it with new welting.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Vinyl upholstery question

The welting runs horizontally across the back rest about one third up. In the later model years the welting was silver against white vinyl. In my boat it is gold which is not as subtle. The silver gray is more to my taste. I will be able to fully assess the situation in a few days when I take ownership. If I can remove the welting without damaging anything my preference will be to just replace it with new welting.

With that description, it is sewn in. Removing it is an option, but you will need a commercial upholstery sewing machine and UV threads, along with SS staples and the knowledge of what you are doing. Just dye/paint it.