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First off, I'm not a furniture guy, but did take on some wingback chairs to recover. One is a newer rocker style and the other much older (probably 1950s). Even though they're not identical and both in ecxellent shape structurally and in the covers, I recovered them in the customer's provided material. First off I believe it too thin of a material for seating purposes and I expressed my concern to which she's ok with, but my question is this since I've never done it before; on the end caps of the arms, they're on one a thin plywood cap covered in the material, and the other is a thick cardboard likewise covered in the material. What is the best way for me to re-fasten them after I recover them? I see how they were done originally with finish nails driven through the board before they were wrapped. The old fabric was very tough and dense and the new is so thin I keep having the nails back out and through the material while I'm driving them in. I'm using a block of hardwood to hammer against trying to drive the nails in easy all at once but still get one or two that will push out while hammering and poked through the fabric. I did then use a small nail set to drive the heads down leaving a small hole showing through. It doesn't look terrible, but does show on the finished part. Is there another way that I'm missing or is it just trial and error untill it comes out correct?
Kyle

Has anyone ever steamed the late model foam backed headliner material immediately or soon after recovering one?

I had a customer who brought me a custom stretched Toyota Prius to make a headliner for. I cut two down and grafted them together for the added length and recovered with the new material. There is an area at the graft where I can vaguely see a seam showing through the new material and when trying to install this new 9' long headliner it buckled slightly along one edge and left a deep wrinkle in the fabric. I don't think either will be an issue with the guy since he did this car as a prototype to see if there may be a market for a 100 MPG car that can easily seat 7, plus it's an advertisment for his auto rebuilder business. Any way I think steam will pull these out, but am unsure as to what may happen to the glue I used (weldwood).
Kyle

Just thought I'd pass this on as an "FYI" for you automotive guys.

I got a call last week from a local used auto dealer to come and look at his personal vehicle. A Cadillac Escalade, leather interior.

He went to the local Dollar store to pick up cleaning supplies for his lot and the gallon of bleach he bought evidently didn't have the lid on tight. It tipped over, spilled some on the rear seat and ate a hole through the perforated leather insert in the seat. The funny thing though, it didn't bleach out the dye or harm the foam underneath. It just opened up all of the perforations and left about a 3" hole in the seat cover. At least that's the story he's telling me (and probably his wife too).

Kyle

I'm not one who is typically anal about safety concerns. I do wear saftey glasses when using saws and grinders and gloves when the job calls for it, however I just had a mishap that many may have never thought about including me up to now. I've been recovering an antique chair for a local doctor's house and was finishing it up by stapling a dust cover on the bottom. I only had 5 or 6 staples left using my air stapler when I hit a steel webbing strap on the frame of it. The staple broke and ricocheted into my right eye. I saw it coming right at me and I believe it bounced right off with maybe a light scratch on my eye. It is relatively painless to the eye, but caused one heck of a headache with lot's of sinus pressure and my ears aching too.  It was surely an eye opener (maybe a closer too) on thinking about wearing eye protection more around the shop.
Kyle

While reading the local news paper yesterday I noticed an auction at a close by farm next weekend. While looking throught the listing I read there was an "upholstery machine" in the lots. I brought up the complete auction listing online with pics and it was a Pfaff 545 machine. It looks well used with the paint worn off on the bed and what appears to be a clutch motor on it. The listing only said it worked. I have a belief it will go dirt cheap as the most of the listings are of livestock, farm implements, guns, and antiques from an old Mennonite farm. I've been looking for a good backup as I've been putting the miles on my Consew lately. It works fine, but it's always good to have a spare if needed. So the question is; Are these a good machine? Pfaff seems to have a good reputation on quality from what I see, but am unsure of that particular model and its capabilities.
Thanks,
Kyle

I just discovered what could be a potential problem for me while working on a pontoon (the one I mentioned in my other post on my arm) and had to come in and post on it. I don't think it will effect me at all, but it could've been a serious matter. Anyway, I'm out in the shop cutting vinyl for some seats and as I'm unrolling one color down the table to mark and cut it, I come to a splice in the vinyl and I'm now by this time approximatly 1/3 to 1/2 way through the roll now. Each piece had a clean square end and was taped together from the bottom side of the vinyl using masking tape. I really wouldn't mind if I was told from the beginning that it was there. In the past when ordering I've been told if they don't have a full cut they could put it together with smaller cuts and I'm most always ok with it. When that happens though the larger cut is rolled up with the smaller ones on the out side and not taped to one continuous piece. I want to add this is NOT from any supplier on this site and am not implying anything. I just would like to ask if anyone has ever encountered this before. If I had a job that required several long pieces this could cause major problems.
I have to take blame too though because all material I receive is marked to inspect before cutting and I seldom do that on a 15+ yard of vinyl. I guess I should start though.
Kyle

I've been flat covered up for a few weeks now. I've been trying to get a complete pontoon upholstery and carpet done for the Memorial Day weekend coming up. I was supposed to leave Tuesday night with a group of guys for Florida on a hunting trip too, but had to back out because of deadlines. Now this; On Friday night My left elbow was stinging a little like when you scrape it, no big deal as I've been crawling all over these boats and cutting tables  to try to get them done. The problem was I couldn't see any scrapes on my arm at all. Saturday morning I woke up with a little more pain and there was a lump just below my elbow and I thought just great I'm getting a boil. I worked all day before going to the kids end of the school year awards banquet that evening. Sunday woke up and was even worse. My whole elbow was inflamed, swollen, and very sore. Today the pain isn't too terrible, but the swelling resembles a soft ball in size. I'm still working trying to knock out these boats. My wife came home at noon today and came to the shop to see me. After seeing my arm she insisted I see the DR. and went right in and called for an appointment. They got me in early this afternoon and I discovered they're now treating me for MRSA. The DR. isnt 100% sure that it is, but since it's not draining and he doesn't want to open it up yet, he's treating me for this and any changes I must go back right away. The bad part is I lost a whole afternoon working, plus tomorrow morning I am taking a test for a maintenance position at a local power plant. They actually contacted me about this and the pay is phenominal plus they pay all of your insurance. I'm not giving up the shop, but due to discovering some problems recently with my wife's thyroid, I'd be a fool to turn this position down and run the shop part time. Sorry for the venting, but this arm deal just pushed me over the edge. Now it's time to contact customers to ask for another day or two on deadlines. UUUGGGGGHHHHHHH!
Kyle

Reading Mike's post on "pricing" and even commenting on it makes me want to start this thread so I don't end up hijacking his. I also am starting this for venting purposes to others who share my passions and maybe even offer advice on how not to kill a pita customer.

Last fall, I agreed to do upholstery on a collector car a guy was having painted so he could sell. I also do on occasion full restorations and custom work on cars. When the car got to my shop the paint was butchered at best. The guy who did it is a hack at best so I was asked to try and fix it by the owner. With a quick look over the car (and I say "quick") it appeared I could repaint the doors and quarter panels. He wrote the other guy off since he paid cash and we agreed on the repair cost. At this point, it's not that big of a deal. I told him I could safely stop work on other projects and get his done. The upholstery and body repair could be done quickly.

As I tore into it I found much more shoddy work and even work that was not done to it. He never asked price, but said keep going on it and that it's going to have to be done. I did state that our time frame is no longer valid because I can't stop on my other customers vehicles for that long. Everything too has appeared ok.

Another problem with this guy too is he feels the necessity to visit me at the shop often. I'm talking about showing up early in the morning and staying till late afternoon. He's come by late in the evening and once even tracked me down to Wal-Mart one night while I was getting the kids supplies for their school. Even as I was typing this he showed up on a Saturday afternoon. My wife is ready to pop his head like a three day old pimple!

It came to a head on this last Thursday when he showed up and I was working on another car. I didn't even acknowledge him and kept on working. Finally I could tell he was a little upset I wasnt paying him any attention and he asked "what is it going to take on his car"? I said I'll figure the price out but as for time I have others getting work done too. Friday he showed up and asked the price and when I told him he about blew a gasket! He said (now get this) he already paid the other guy $800 to paint the car once and now I want several thousand to do it. This is the part where I started barking loud! I said he could have until 5 pm the next day to get his car out and pay me in cash to settle up. He backed down real quick but kept asking if I could do better on cost. I refused to budge at all still giving him the chance to find another to do it. He said he wants me to finish.

As I said he just again showed up this weekend and said he'd be back Monday. I do have another car if his here too that he felt he had the liberty to have delivered for future work when I'm done with this other one. I said coming Monday is fine as long as you're picking this car up to get out of here otherwise don't come. He said he'd find a place for it.

Latley too in our area there has been alot of Break-ins at night. He came by one day last week when we had to be gone and apparently was walking around my house looking in windows. My neighbor who has been broken into came over and asked him what the $&@@ he's doing. He responded since my truck was here, I must be inside the house. My neighbor told him to leave and that we've had burglaries out here and we're calling the sheriff on anyone who looks suspicious. I'm not suggesting he's the burglar, but just because I have my shop at my home, he has no right to look around my property or in my house.

My hours are posted at the shop with a disclaimer that being a one person operation, there are times when I must be away and that anyone should come back or call my cell. I'm thinking of just cutting my losses and sending him down the road (after he pays for the work performed so far).

I'm fairly new to using Craigslist. I've occasionally searched it for Equipment for sale, but just started using it recently to advertise some items I don't need anymore. I've put some old project cars I have on there and started getting hits right away. I sold a truck to a guy from hours away, and the deal went great. Here's my concern since I'm new to this; I have another project vehicle to which several has responded. Most have asked for more pictures or details on it and many I've spoken to in person and so far no one has called back other than a few offers that I simply couldn't accept. I have had a couple of responses on it however that the e-mail I received simply asked if (and I quote) "is the item still available" and another that asked "is Craigslist item # xxxxxxxxxxxx still available" (not x's, but the actual #). I sent off an e-mail to the latter one which came back undeliverable, and the first one I just replied to; Yes, It is, and am waiting to hear back. Both of these were e-mails with Different women's names and honestly can see too many females interested in a 1947 Pontiac project car. I could see if the response I got included something like; "hey is your pontiac still available, or could I see Pics of it, But "is the item still available" just seems too generic and am worried about a scam. I haven't disclosed any personal info yet and the car will have to be picked up here in person and cash paid when recieved, so I'm not too worried. What are your guys' thoughts on it? I know many of you are seasoned veterans in selling online and using Craigslist, so any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Kyle

Happy Thanksgiving!  And as my annual courtesy safety message; Don't forget to wash the silicone spray and foam crumbles off off your electric knife before carving the bird ;D
Kyle

I've been thinking for sometime now of picking up a new tool for the shop. I've seen an infomercial awhile back and usually I pay them no attention, but I have noticed these saws turning up in regular hardware and home improvement stores along with catalogs I receive under different manufacturers now. They resemble a small 5" electric angle grinder, but have two circular saw type blades that rotate in opposite directions. in ads they appear to cut anything accurately and quickly. I already have a well stocked arsenal of cutting tools for wood, steel, aluminum both electric and air powered. Does anyone have experience with these saws? If so, whats your opinion of them? I know ads and commercials tend to elevate the ability to perform of what they're selling by quite a bit. I hate to purchase something that I already have equipment to do the job with in the shop, but hey, does anyone need a reason to buy a new tool ever?  ;)
Kyle

I had a "customer" call and leave a message today about an upholstery job on and older Bayliner. I noticed the call came from out of state, but didn't think much of it since we live on the Indiana-Kentucky border and real close to Ohio too. He went on to describe his boat and the needed work, then the usual "how much" question. I told him I'd rather see it to give an accurate quote to which he understood. then the first of two bombs dropped; 1. He asked if I required a down payment, like half down, because he didn't have a lot of cash to spend (the first red flag). He wondered if I would take payments for the job or not. I told him I did require a material deposit to start which is usually half down. He went on to tell me the boat has set idle for five years and he would like to have it going for next year. As much as I'd like the job now I suggested he just save up over the fall and winter and bring it in the spring as it won't take long for me to do.

Then the 2nd bomb fell.  He asked if I worked alone or had help, did I have a retail shop, work from home, mobile repair, what???????????  He went on then to say he was working with our local Kroger store doing some advertisement work and that he could hook me up where everyone who came in the store would see my shops name. He was selling ad space on the shopping carts and that he could give me a good deal. He also wanted to come by while in town tomorrow to talk to me and that if there are any helpers I have, silent partners, my wife, who ever is connected to my shop to be here too. He also went on that this will only take five minutes and that I need to give him a decision real quick so he don't waste my or his time. As I tried to get a word in I told him that business cards and word of mouth seem to work best for me in advertising. I told him too that last year I bought an ad space on some park benches and that there has been no real advantage to me in doing that. He jumped in and said people who set on benches waiting for buses are probably not going to be my best clients. By now I'm done with him, So I jump in and say that our local Kroger store is right around the corner from several low income apartment complexes, where the government pays you to live there and that I doubt while they're in there spending their foodstamps and buying their beer and diapers that they'll pay any attention to my ad on the shopping cart, that usually ends up upside down in the ditch down the road near the apartments, I also told him I could give him a Quick answer now not wasting any of his or my time; A definate NO!
He did say he would still like to have me look at his boat.
Kyle

There's comments quite often all of the time about this topic, and I was again curious to see how things are going. More than once over the last few weeks I had to check to see if I remembered to pay the phone bill since it wasn't ringing much :D .
It's really not that bad, but is very slow and the calls I get are not big jobs.

This has me thinking of some reasons for this;

First and foremost is the economy, No one is spending. The guy who takes care of our IRA and some other investments tells me people have money, some are sitting on it, others are spending. He's quick to point out that the endless media attention to the financial situation does cause a fear for people to hold on to their money. I was at a major national car show the first of August and attendance and registration was down, Possibly fuel prices? other travel expenses? or some other reasons I'll touch on in a bit?

Second the weather,  we live in a boating area with rivers and lakes nearby. Boat upholstery and canvas has been WAY DOWN this year. the spring brought lots of rain with rivers being above flood stage into late June early July. After that we went into a very humid heat wave. I feel that has kept many off of the water.
Around here if boats aren't on the water, the owners just don't think about them or doing any work they may need done.

Third is School, Around this area at least most schools have been in session since the first of August (my wife who's a teacher had to be back on July 29th). That has effectively cut off a third of the summer breaks I remember as a kid when we got out around Memorial day and didn't go back until after Labor Day. I believe that has cut short many families vacation season and as a result of trickle down economics (or lack of) people just aren't spending any extra to get things done.

Fourth is things like E-bay or other auction/classified ad sites or pre-made interior kits. There's been a lot of discussion about this lately on supplies that's imported, but what about finished products? Since my interests lies with custom cars and hot rods I'll use that as an example: as stated before I was at a national car show not long ago that is also a trade show with lots of new equipment there. A guy now can build a show quality, award winning hot rod in a little two car garage in a neighborhood by just using his credit card.
That includes the upholstery. There are several companies on the market who offer seats ready to bolt in and will sell matching material for the builder to complete the rest him/herself. I would imagine that is also going on in the boating community some too. Don't get me wrong nothing beats a true custom built interior, but these kits I'm seeing are very good quality not like the old J.C. Whitney seat covers you use to buy.

I'm sure there's many other reasons too, but just touched on a few of what's in my mind.
I guess as it's been said on here before, one of our jobs is to be more creative and offer something that can't be found in a catalog. Hope things pick up soon!
Kyle

I'm seeking any advice I may need when going to quote what could work out to be a large or re-occuring job this next week.

I've been playing phone tag for about two weeks with the event coordinator and planning manager of a local college. After speaking to the manager last evening, I've scheduled an appointment next Thursday to look at work needing done in their campus center and various other spots around the campus.

This is a private four year college, so I don't believe they're having the financial issues state universities are having. Also, being private I know for a fact they are not required to get the necessary three quotes that most state or public institutions must get and I'm the only one they've contacted (so far). I also expect to have to "sit on" my material investment until paid at a later date, although I am going to ask for a material deposit, but I'm fine if I don't get it.

With that much said, is there any other advice you guys can give that I need to ask the manager or need to "stick to my guns on" for dealing with this college?

This college is fairly large that can also lead to further work with them not to mention their fraternity / sorority houses as well.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks, Kyle

I have a customer wanting a new Tonneau cover for his El-Camino he is restoring. He changed the color of the car and installed a new interior kit himself and is asking for a cover to match as close as possible to the interior "saddle color".
The cover he has now was built probably 20 years ago and is in a dark brown color. Does anyone know where to get an over sized vinyl in a light brown "saddle" color?
I have the Tonneau Tex 78" wide vinyl, but is available only in black. I did a quick search of some suppliers on here with not much luck.

The cover is approxomatly 65" wide  and will need about 3 1/2 yards total. He's pretty picky and doesn't want a seam in the cover so that stops me from using standard 54" vinyl.

Thanks,
Kyle

The last few weeks have been bad in my book for different reasons. Examples are #1. Weather, we've had a few weeks back of constant storms and heavy rains (that's now resulting in the flooding in Mississippi and Louisiana). Anyway during that my shop was lightly flooded. No real damage, but days of lost work from the water and clean-up time. #2 no big jobs coming in, although lot's of little ones (I suppose 2-3 small jobs a day equals 1 big one at the end of the week though). The big ones I've quoted, most customers have backed off on. I'm guessing either the uncertain weather or economy still is the blame. # 3 I just feel like I'm no accomplishing as much as I'm capable of as well. I have a few more personal reasons I won't bore you with too.

This morning something happened though that at first really set me off, but after I finished and took time to cool off. I had to stop and really laugh at myself considering if I witnessed someone else doing it, I would have been on the floor rolling.

I've posted before I repair covers for a local pool company. I picked one up from them last Friday and usually I pick them up and throw them in the back of my truck to bring home. This time the guys there loaded it for me and used a forklift which I didn't think anything about.
  When I got back home with it, I did the usual and slid it out of the back of my truck at the front corner of my shop. I've put it on hold repairing it since we've had rain again since Saturday. I knew they'd be wanting it back so this morning (in the drizzling rain I stretched it out in the drive out front of the shop to check it out.
  First thing I notice was this cover was bigger than any I've repaired before at roughly 60'x30' (my shop is 40'x30' so they don't get repaired inside). luckily just the front corner nearest the overhead door needed the repair piece sewed in which is about 2 1/2' long. I cut out the bad section and moved my machine over to the overhead door and fairly quickly had the repair finished.
  Now for the funny part. After the repair I pulled the cover over into the grass in front of the shop to attempt to fold it up like it was before. It resembles an accordian when folded so it can be installed easier on the pool. Anyway the ground has a slight slope to it there and you have to walk on the cover to properly fold it (did I mention it was drizzling rain? also I'm 6'4" and 280 Lbs). The cover is made out of material like Tuff Stuff or Herculite so I basically had an elephant sized slip and slide. I was on the ground more than I was standing all while the guy across the street was standing out watching me. I don't remember, but was undoubtedly spewing words that only a drunken sailor would be saying.
  Afterwards I found out why they used a forklift to load it up at the pool store as well. I had to end up calling my dad who lives 8 miles away to come over to help me load it. Afterwards I changed my WET clothes and delivered it to the shop which I was paid cash (so all was not bad).

Forgive my rants but sometimes we just need to tell on ourselves to have a laugh.
Kyle

Does anyone have a supplier for just the frame and foam on reclining type seats you see mounted on newer pontoons?

A customer brought me a used  Skeeter pontoon that he just bought and wants a new cover and some freshening up on the interior. It has the helms chair, a small L-shaped couch and 4 fold down fishing seats at each corner of the boat. He's considering replacing the two front fishing seats with the high back bucket seat recliners and those being larger will change the fit of the cover, so I'm working up some estimates to see what he wants to do. I can buy the pre-covered seats for around $400 each, but it won't match the existing interior. So I thought I'd try to find some bare frames and foam that I can cover to match the other seats. I don't think price is too big of an issue so I'm exploring all options. These type of seats appear to be the same as used in RVs and conversion vans. I can get seat frames for street rods and customs from Wise Guy's , but thought one of you guys may know of a supplier for boats that may be cheaper.
Thanks,
Kyle

I do a few covers a year and an occasional bimini top with most of my focus on upholstery. The supplier I use sells marine canvas and Top-Gun for their cover material, so thats what I have samples for and use with most customers wanting the Top-Gun.

Yesterday, I had a Ranger bass boat come in for a recover on the seat and the owner asked me last week while it's here to work up an estimate for a cover, and when he brought it he said he has a couple guys in the fishing club he belongs to wanting covers as well. He asked to see my samples and if I could give a "rough" estimate to tell his buddies.

I showed him the canvas and Top-Gun, but he said one guy in the club has a "real thick" cover for his boat. One that is like vinyl on the topside and real soft on the inside, and that's what they want.

I know Sunbrella has a soft backed material. Does this sound like what he's asking for? Or is there something else out there too?

Also, who do you guys deal with for that material?

Thanks,
Kyle

Have a safe and Happy New Year!  May all your seams line up in 2011!
Kyle

I thought I would run this by you guys to see what you think. I was at the chiropractor today for an adjustment. I've also done work for them covering waiting room chairs, adjustment tables, and gym equipment. Anyway the receptionist asked about making covers for her jeep seats. Her jeep is blue but has the "spice" colored seats and wants them to match the outside.

I guess my Idea of seat covers and hers are two different ideas. She was apparently asking about the slip on covers while I was talking about a true re-cover job. I went on to tell her for price, she could probably order a set of aftermarket covers and either install or have me do it, She went on to say "oh, those are usually so cheap and don't fit well anyway" to which I replied to do it right we'll just re-cover the seats the way you guys and I would. However, she still talks about just making covers. I said give me a few days to work up a couple estimates and get back with her.

Any way here's my question: have any of you had muck success in just making decent covers that can be removed easily? I know she's undoubtedly thinking about cost, but in the long run my time won't be much different with patterning, cutting, and sewing. I just won't have the time to strip and re-install the new (as well as could be anyway).

What's your thoughts?
Kyle