Messages

Yeah, you have to be really careful when criticizing the existing canvas/upholstery on a boat.  Never know who did it. LOL :D

June

As you say - hopefully cooler heads will prevail. 

About 35 years ago (yeah, I was 6 ;-)) a man I worked for was stockpiling MRE's and guns and ammo saying that America was a tinderbox and that there was going to be a major race war in populated areas.  I still, to this day, hope he was completely paranoid and just plain wrong.

Stay safe.

June

The eyelets and gypsy studs with the 3/8" barrels are apparently made only by Fasnap and I can order directly from them, but one box would be more than enough and they require a $50 minimum.  A box of 100 is only $7.  I prefer Dot brand but they don't come that long.

June

Never had a need for any that size, but a quick google turned up these:

http://www.ahh.biz/grommets/nickel_grommets.php

June

Sure looks like a home machine.  Maybe 12 stitches per inch. 

June

No, just sheets.  My bad - I used the wrong term.  I was very frustrated by the last I got because the sharp edges had scratched the glass where it had been rolled up.  I was able to cut around, but I hate having to get all creative on cutting when I've already done my work in layout before I ever ordered. 

June

Wow Mike!  Looks amazing!  Hope the customer is thrilled.  Recent comment from an owner  - "I thought it was supposed to look like that - it's a "plush" look" (saggy/baggy headliner).  Yeah... OK.

June

Regal, you're in Pompano Beach these days right?  Get it from Piedmont Plastics - just south of Sample Road and between I-95 and the Turnpike.  TONS of plastic sheet type products and great customer service.

June

Are they McLeod bolsters?  Crazy time consuming if they are.  Post a pic of your project or find an internet pic to post and I'll let you know if I've done any like that.

June

Hey Mike,  I've been on vacation for 2 weeks so didn't see this.  I use DAP Landau Top and Trim adhesive.  For large projects I spray using a binks type sprayer.  Small stuff I use a brush.

Last big project I did like that I cleaned off the old adhesive with a wire-wheel on a drill.  Luckily the old stuff was so dry it just came off like sand and dust.

June

It's softer and thinner IMHO.  I recently bought some 40 gauge and I swear I thought I had been supplied 30.  The rolls I bought had razor sharp factory edges that were a mess - not trimmed up at all.

June

If patching a damaged section, I glue in a new chunk, rough cut with a foam saw, then grind smooth with an angle grinder and 60 grit sandpaper.

For new cushions, I do like Mike - cut a smaller-than-necessary section and glue either 1/2 or 1" foam sheet over the section needing rounding.  Works great and looks pretty-much perfect. 

June

 I'm in agreement with Mike and Regal. 

June

And I never glue.  If the pieces are straightforward - like a rectangular cushion, I don't bother, but on almost everything else, I sew the foam to the fabirc, scrim away from the fabric unless it's an inside curve - then scrim goes next to the fabric.  On the other pics I posted, the seat back had the scrim next to the fabric but the seat bottoms had the scrim away from the fabric. 

And I use 1/4" on just about everything I do.  I go through scads of the stuff.  1/2" is too thick unless doing tuck-n-roll, especially if there's welt involved.  Imagine trying to find 5/32 welt through 1 inch of foam!  Also, the thicker the foam the more difficult it is to hide the selvedge.  That 1/2" of foam selvedge pushes out below the seam and goes seriously ugly.   

I usually staple the bits together before assembly unless it's oddly shaped.  Then I sew the bits together beforehand.  Makes life really easy and avoids the problem that JoJo identified.  You have to attach it somehow before assembly.  But.... it's time consuming.



June

I've worked quite a bit with UltraLeather on Formula boat interiors.  It does stretch and wrinkle.  For a while, Formula was using it for hull liner and headliner as well as seats.  It's backed with 100% rayon.  Rayon just happens to be more absorbent than 100% cotton.  The tiniest bit of humidity causes it to expand and the surface stretches.  It does retract eventually, but wrinkles are a given with this stuff.  Even with buttons in the seats it's quite likely to leave a depression where people sit.  That's the tradeoff for the amazing hand and feel of this stuff.  I just used it on the interior seating for our own boat.  I love and will live with the appearance after you get off the sofa.  I paired it with Novasuede.



All of this seating was backed with 1/4" sew foam.  Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about it ripping.  It's really tough stuff, but like you said, I'd recess the buttons to be certain they don't get snagged easily.  I prefer knee bolsters with internal pulls (listings) to avoid mid-seat stretch.  They're a pain on loose, soft-bottomed cushions, but not impossible.

June