Honolulu
Well-Known Member
Gents:
The other day the wifey brought me along to get some new fabric to recover some chair seats. I had a stake since I was placed in charge of refinishing the wood, and being unemployed, I went along.
What I found upstairs among the racks and bolts were many rolls of upholstery vinyl. The bolts were not numbered or otherwise described besides the price per foot, which I found surprisingly affordable compared to a piece for the rear parcel shelf that I got many years ago.
Once upon a time, I put together a pair of replacement seatcovers for one of my 2002s. Although they looked nice (to me) and were not that difficult to assemble using the remains of the old covers as patterns, they lasted about a day and a half before the fabric tore to shreds. I had squirreled away that fabric for several years, so it wasn't completely unexpected.
I didn't inquire (but should have) as to the suitability of this vinyl for auto use. So here goes a question to the forum: what are the distiniguishing characteristics of vinyl suitable for auto use? Are there brands to seek/avoid? Is there a weight characteristic? I don't recall dicussion of this subject before...
If this stuff turns out suitable, I'll have to find a machine capable of stitching it. The wife hasn't forgiven my last effort to stitch vinyl on hers. Good thread will also have to be sourced, I found "the usual" cotton isn't strong enough.
And I ought to also ask: has anyone a pattern for the front seats? Or want to get rid of an old torn set which will be thus used?
The other day the wifey brought me along to get some new fabric to recover some chair seats. I had a stake since I was placed in charge of refinishing the wood, and being unemployed, I went along.
What I found upstairs among the racks and bolts were many rolls of upholstery vinyl. The bolts were not numbered or otherwise described besides the price per foot, which I found surprisingly affordable compared to a piece for the rear parcel shelf that I got many years ago.
Once upon a time, I put together a pair of replacement seatcovers for one of my 2002s. Although they looked nice (to me) and were not that difficult to assemble using the remains of the old covers as patterns, they lasted about a day and a half before the fabric tore to shreds. I had squirreled away that fabric for several years, so it wasn't completely unexpected.
I didn't inquire (but should have) as to the suitability of this vinyl for auto use. So here goes a question to the forum: what are the distiniguishing characteristics of vinyl suitable for auto use? Are there brands to seek/avoid? Is there a weight characteristic? I don't recall dicussion of this subject before...
If this stuff turns out suitable, I'll have to find a machine capable of stitching it. The wife hasn't forgiven my last effort to stitch vinyl on hers. Good thread will also have to be sourced, I found "the usual" cotton isn't strong enough.
And I ought to also ask: has anyone a pattern for the front seats? Or want to get rid of an old torn set which will be thus used?
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