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General Upholstery Questions and Comments => General Discussion => Topic started by: Highvelocity on May 16, 2011, 12:11:59 pm

Title: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Highvelocity on May 16, 2011, 12:11:59 pm
Has anyone ever done a hot tub cover??  I did one over the weekend and it came out good...  A couple of things though,,,alignment marks are crucial, and remember to sew the skirt between the box and the bottom plate.  And use a single zipper on each half.  I went by pictures I saw online.

I spent about $220 on material and had a solid eight hours into it.  Retail for similiar quality and material $650.  All in all it wasn't a bad job to do if you wanted to give it a try. 

(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi544.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh357%2FHighvelocity123%2Fth_0514112000.jpg&hash=bec555b8015a46941fa45c1c75fc9994) (http://s544.photobucket.com/albums/hh357/Highvelocity123/?action=view&current=0514112000.jpg)
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi544.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh357%2FHighvelocity123%2Fth_0514112000c.jpg&hash=059fe8bc6ead1dba95451ba45517a52c) (http://s544.photobucket.com/albums/hh357/Highvelocity123/?action=view&current=0514112000c.jpg)
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Mike8560 on May 16, 2011, 01:27:07 pm
Ive had people ask to do them. I qwaly tell peoe if they can buy it made it's probly less expensive   
I hate trying to sew theb hindge flap 
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Highvelocity on May 16, 2011, 01:38:48 pm
Mike,
     This one was for my brother and he wanted it in 2 pieces.  So I made a flap for one side to cover the break in the middle, then put a couple of snaps on each each end to hold the flap down.  I could see where a permanent joint mybe a pain though.
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: seamsperfect on May 16, 2011, 02:36:07 pm
Quote from: Highvelocity on May 16, 2011, 12:11:59 pm
Has anyone ever done a hot tub cover??  I did one over the weekend and it came out good...  A couple of things though,,,alignment marks are crucial, and remember to sew the skirt between the box and the bottom plate.  And use a single zipper on each half.  I went by pictures I saw online.

I spent about $220 on material and had a solid eight hours into it.  Retail for similiar quality and material $650.  All in all it wasn't a bad job to do if you wanted to give it a try.

Good job about 6 years ago I looked into sewing a new one for mine  and after  thinking about it I had one shipped to me to my specs for $350.00
My time was better spent on customer projects.
Kevin
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Highvelocity on May 16, 2011, 02:43:01 pm
Yeah...$350 is a good deal.  For what he wanted he was looking at $650...Premium foam, marine vinyl and and vacuum sealed...etc.  Plus now with the price of petroleum products...forget it.
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: seamsperfect on May 16, 2011, 02:49:33 pm
Quote from: Highvelocity on May 16, 2011, 02:43:01 pm
Yeah...$350 is a good deal.  For what he wanted he was looking at $650...Premium foam, marine vinyl and and vacuum sealed...etc.  Plus now with the price of petroleum products...forget it.

Mine is pretty nice plus it was 6-7 years ago.  Still holding up and doing well.
Kevin
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: SHHR on May 16, 2011, 03:49:02 pm
I recovered one before that had decent styrofoam and braces that I could use over and the customer was happy with it. I did get asked to quote building them from scratch for a pool company I do some repairs for and after the quote we both decided it would be best for him to keep ordering them pre-made for the tubs he sell new.
Kyle
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: MinUph on May 16, 2011, 06:07:15 pm
Ive wanted to make a new one for our tub but haven't been able to find a place to get the tapered foam.
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: stitcher_guy on May 16, 2011, 07:16:59 pm
I've repaired a bunch of them, usually the straps get  yanked out in a high wind. One of them just used folded over vinyl for the straps. I put nylon strapping back in place.
I have made a couple from scratch, but these were for older tubs that the factory covers were no longer available. They aren't economical from a standard build point. Not too hard to do, but they do require work.
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Mike8560 on May 17, 2011, 05:54:40 am
Quote from: MinUph on May 16, 2011, 06:07:15 pm
Ive wanted to make a new one for our tub but haven't been able to find a place to get the tapered foam.

my last ond didn't have tapered foam. Just flat about 3" or 4".
I've got to get a new tib at my new pla e here.
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: MinUph on May 17, 2011, 06:11:11 pm
Mike mine does and I'd like it to more of a taper to let water run off quickly. It is outside. I'd like something like a 5" to 3" taper. Cant seem to get it. Even my foam suppliers supplier can't or won't cut the taper for me.
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Mojo on May 17, 2011, 07:12:03 pm
Paul"

I maybe wrong but it seems there is a hot tub manufacturer located in Tampa. I seem to remember someone saying they bought their foam from them already tapered then recovered it.

I could be wrong. Strange crap happens to mens brains as they get older. :)

Chris
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Peppy on May 17, 2011, 07:28:28 pm
We repair these things all the time. Hate them hate them hate them. If I had a hot tub I'd make mine out of plywood or something. And get (or make) one of these jobbies-

http://www.spadepot.com/shop/Cover-Lifts-C49.aspx
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: dmayo on May 17, 2011, 07:54:35 pm
Here you go aluminum Hot Tub covers
http://www.hot-tub-spa-covers.com/aluminum.htm
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Highvelocity on May 18, 2011, 06:19:34 am
I have to agree with Stitcher Guy,,,these things eat some time up, not sure about profit margine... 

I would not even think about trying to make a living with it unless you specificaclly tooled for it.
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: scarab29 on May 18, 2011, 12:48:31 pm
I found a guy that will deliver and install the cover for like 350. He even took the old one away !!
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Highvelocity on May 18, 2011, 01:30:59 pm
Quote from: scarab29 on May 18, 2011, 12:48:31 pm
I found a guy that will deliver and install the cover for like 350. He even took the old one away !!



I just wonder what kind of profit that guy is making for $350...???  And what type of material he used.  Different foams have different "R" values etc...   But for $350 if it lasts 3 years you did good.
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: gene on May 18, 2011, 04:29:39 pm
I like the aluminum cover. You can cook your eggs and bacon on it in the summer.
Don't put your tongue on it in the winter. Or if you do, have someone take a picture and post it for us.  :P

gene
Title: Re: Hot Tub Cover
Post by: scarab29 on May 19, 2011, 12:51:37 pm
5 years so far , same quality as the "jacuszzi brand" cover I bought with the tub 11 years ago. I figure he must pick them up at the factory and run up and down the east coast here.




Quote from: Highvelocity on May 18, 2011, 01:30:59 pm
Quote from: scarab29 on May 18, 2011, 12:48:31 pm
I found a guy that will deliver and install the cover for like 350. He even took the old one away !!



I just wonder what kind of profit that guy is making for $350...???  And what type of material he used.  Different foams have different "R" values etc...   But for $350 if it lasts 3 years you did good.