- Mon Oct 08, 2018 7:27 pm
#2932
New to the forum, need some help figuring out what I need.
Here is my goal: Reupholster seats in 94 BMW. Originally silver gray leather.
Those seats consist of 7 parts (4 bolsters, central back area, central seat area, headrest). I want to do central area with Ultrasuede and sides with leather
I already got correct walking foot machine coming. Already got Recaro seats apart.
I watched what seems like million videos on Youtube and read tons of info online on how to do it.
I am ready, but I'm confused about what exact supplies I need and what suppliers to use..
I will try to put my questions in order. Probably "loaded" questions but need your help/opinion on those.
1. Leather choice and how much? I found German leather supplier and received samples. $9/sqft. I found another color-matched leather supplier at $4.50/sqft. I'm not a pro with leather, but I can tell that $9 leather softer, more pliable. Cheaper leather got like thicker top layer. Almost not "very real".
I also read about artificial leather like "UltraLeather" and "Rave" brands and how good they are. I had hard time finding online stores selling those and had hard time figuring out approx. pricing. Roughly I figured that good artifical leather will cost as much as cheap leather.
Question: If it's real leather: What supplier do you recommend and what is about correct $$ for good quality. Advisable for novice?
Question: If it's fake leather: What brand? What supplier? What should it cost and why you suggest it?
Obviously I'm shooting for good combo of quality/price. I don't need leather because it's "leather". But if it's going to feel/look like leather in our Honday Odyssey - I probably don't want it.
2. Ultrasuede. I used Toray brand on pillars/headliner. I really like texture/feel. Will it hold on a seats? Not much risk because those are separate parts and I can re-do if needed, but just wanted general opinion on using this material on a seats (not bolsters)
3. Padding. Current seats have some weird padding. About 1/2 batting goes against leather and then covered with thin silk-like material. This is German made car. Not sure what exact material is that and is that what should be done?
On bunch of videos I see people use foam. So, it goes like leather-foam-fabric. Glued together and then each piece sewn around.
Some people use foam with material already on it. What is it?
Some people suggest to use 1/2 where original padding present and 1/4 where there was no padding to make it look better.
Question: What/why to use, where to buy?
4. Thread. I know machine will handle 138. What type/size should I use in a car? UV-resistant? Strong. Should I use same thread for visible (french) seam vs internal seams?
Sorry for many questions, just seeing different data in different places, wanted real people opinions :)
Here is my goal: Reupholster seats in 94 BMW. Originally silver gray leather.
Those seats consist of 7 parts (4 bolsters, central back area, central seat area, headrest). I want to do central area with Ultrasuede and sides with leather
I already got correct walking foot machine coming. Already got Recaro seats apart.
I watched what seems like million videos on Youtube and read tons of info online on how to do it.
I am ready, but I'm confused about what exact supplies I need and what suppliers to use..
I will try to put my questions in order. Probably "loaded" questions but need your help/opinion on those.
1. Leather choice and how much? I found German leather supplier and received samples. $9/sqft. I found another color-matched leather supplier at $4.50/sqft. I'm not a pro with leather, but I can tell that $9 leather softer, more pliable. Cheaper leather got like thicker top layer. Almost not "very real".
I also read about artificial leather like "UltraLeather" and "Rave" brands and how good they are. I had hard time finding online stores selling those and had hard time figuring out approx. pricing. Roughly I figured that good artifical leather will cost as much as cheap leather.
Question: If it's real leather: What supplier do you recommend and what is about correct $$ for good quality. Advisable for novice?
Question: If it's fake leather: What brand? What supplier? What should it cost and why you suggest it?
Obviously I'm shooting for good combo of quality/price. I don't need leather because it's "leather". But if it's going to feel/look like leather in our Honday Odyssey - I probably don't want it.
2. Ultrasuede. I used Toray brand on pillars/headliner. I really like texture/feel. Will it hold on a seats? Not much risk because those are separate parts and I can re-do if needed, but just wanted general opinion on using this material on a seats (not bolsters)
3. Padding. Current seats have some weird padding. About 1/2 batting goes against leather and then covered with thin silk-like material. This is German made car. Not sure what exact material is that and is that what should be done?
On bunch of videos I see people use foam. So, it goes like leather-foam-fabric. Glued together and then each piece sewn around.
Some people use foam with material already on it. What is it?
Some people suggest to use 1/2 where original padding present and 1/4 where there was no padding to make it look better.
Question: What/why to use, where to buy?
4. Thread. I know machine will handle 138. What type/size should I use in a car? UV-resistant? Strong. Should I use same thread for visible (french) seam vs internal seams?
Sorry for many questions, just seeing different data in different places, wanted real people opinions :)
- By Adam12