Reupholstering rib seats

[rudeboy]

After a recommendation for somebody/company to help with the reupholstering of my rib. Live in Cheshire but happy to travel if needed. Also has anybody used anything other that vinyl-plastic type finish with any success. I will be doing the strip out so no need to store the boat on site.
Thanks

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by rudeboy

After a recommendation for somebody/company to help with the reupholstering of my rib. Live in Cheshire but happy to travel if needed. Also has anybody used anything other that vinyl-plastic type finish with any success. I will be doing the strip out so no need to store the boat on site.
Thanks

Reupholstered mine using silvertex .......way to go

[rudeboy]

Who did the work for you. Was it expensive? Looks excellent.

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by rudeboy

Who did the work for you. Was it expensive? Looks excellent.

Time for a smile

After recieving bids about £1500 plus vat and being let down locally i reminded myself of the stuffed carrot i made as a boy in junior school (indeed the last time i sewed anything now 61 ) i went to the loft and rescued my mothers sewing machine frister rossman 80,s model ,bought some blue carbon vynl from usa but then talking to others discovered silvertex was the way to go so bought £200 ish of silvertex and specialist backing fabric from cj marine south coast ,and just practiced a bit ,was staggered with what i achieved ,bought a tacwise air staple gun and stainless staples ,some is removable cushions and some is what they refer to as stapled Skins you tube is your friend ! best thing i bought was a large piping foot for the sewing machine ,give it a go ,you may be a natural !

[rudeboy]

Wow. I'm impressed. And it doesn't look like a stuffed carrot either.

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by rudeboy

Wow. I'm impressed. And it doesn't look like a stuffed carrot either.

None of the pros will quote you without new foam as this is how they create the wow factor ,it is the new foam edges which smarten everything up dramatically ,in my usa built boat all the foam was very expensive closed cell product and replacing with same was a mortgage job ,so i came up with a plan to use eva waterproof camping mats cut and foam adhesive spray glue to renew edges of my existing cushions ,worked a treat . I started from scratch with the jockey seats so ordered new foam from foam direct for those ,cut to size and shape following there order template

[Matt]

I think upholstery is an interesting skill. Much of it can be learnt, but there’s also an element of having “the knack”, a feel for it, more so than many other disciplines.

[CJL]

Whole heartedly recommend BoatyBits for upholstery.

Often they have the specs already on file so can make them up with minimal fuss.

https://boatybits.com/

Chris

[Matt]

@Orwell boy - this is something I'd like to learn to do - did you have a particular guide or video you used to teach yourself?

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by Matt

@Orwell boy - this is something I'd like to learn to do - did you have a particular guide or video you used to teach yourself?

If i am honest i am not really sure how it happened ,my (mother) and sisters are naturals and i have a friend who is an upholsterer who was distant but helpful
i think the first thing i learnt was what a skin was and this you tube sorts that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6f79QG78dA

then its just about copying what you have taken off your seats .......big lesson here and tempting dont make them too big ,deducting 10mm all round is best if your brave enough on your template !
Try making some piping ....i started with fabric 45mm wide and electrical wire wrapped central (my friend advised that electrical wire 2.5mm sq was too rigid and was only for motorbike seats ) i bought some piping rope and got alot of tips from a small sewing shop in my town
now the most valuable tip buy a large piping foot for your sewing machine
https://www.sewingmachinesales.co.uk...ping-foot.html
basically your piping foot is a game changer ...your piping tunnel becomes a virtually hands free seem follower for every joint ,firstly making the piping ,then when seem ing to your piping the tunnel is your hands free join in exactly the right place every time , have a go i found it such a pleasant winter boating hobbby in the depths of last winter evenings
just another tip is alot of the sewing machines from the eighties were much more "industial in the home " than modern machines ,if you dont have a machine the charity shop or your parents attic is the best option