Upholstery Question

[fishheadbarandgrill]

For those that have re-done their interior cushions... We are about to begin the process and have a question. We are doing and mixture of vinyl and sunbrella. Question - For those that have done the same, did you use foam backing on the sunbrella as well as the vinyl? We're thinking that foam backing on the sunbrella isn't necessary. We haven't taken apart our captain's chair yet so we don't know if the cloth portion of the seat is backed with foam.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

would love to learn from your efforts: I have to replace mine this year.

could you document your process?

 

[scross]

For what it’s worth, we used foam backing on both the vinyl and fabric. Before and after photos of the reupholstery project in our album.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Damn! your upholstery skills are impressive!

did you use the existing covers as patterns?
any recommendations for supplies of the materials?
any recommendation on sowing machine?

 

[scross]

Thanks, but I used a local auto upholstery shop to do the work. Bought foam from
http://www.thefoamfactory.com/blog/inde ... am-factory
They have several levels of density and after two years of use I am very happy. Prices for the foam sheets was quite reasonable.
Unscrewed all the dining cushions and brought everything in to the car upholstery shop. Had to redo the seat back hinges on the captains chair. The originals hinges were cracked. The upholstery shop ordered those.
We got fabric to match the new RT color and tried to match their new patterns as well.

 

[oceaneyes]

I’m also planning to have our interior cushions reupholstered this year and would love to learn from your process.

 

[ALICE J]

Some points of using a non-marine upholstery shop. Absolutely specify stainless steel staples or rust will erupt around the staples and creep into the fabric. Specify polyester or nylon threads, cotton will rot. On the foam use a higher density and do the sit test. Place the size of foam needed for the seat, place your material over it, and sit on it. Your hip bones will be sitting on it, you don't want to bottom out. A more expensive foam will last longer and not bottom out as quickly. Cheaper foams contain fillers that quickly break down and bottom out quicker. Foam on the back on the Sunbrella will give a poofy look where sewn. 1/4" foam glued to Sunbrella. If not using a welt cord on edges, have the sewn seams topstitched. Some furniture sunbrella is a loose woven a piece of goods and if not top topstitched or welted will pull apart particularly if less than a 1/2" seam is used. It can be a great project and Sailrite has the machines, threads, fabrics, and sewing feet for welt cord.

 

[scross]

Alice J makes an excellent point about using the right materials. Our upholstery shop knew the cushions were for a boat and has done boat upholstery before. If you are re-doing exterior cushions (we weren’t) the right materials are critical.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

The interior cushions on our 2011 R29 used galvanized staples... confirmed with magnet.