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[BigRig]

I have some velour type fabric that I was thinking of using for seat inserts, is this a good idea or not? I have plenty of vinyl I can use for these year 2000 truck seats.

[John]

Yes you can. Velour makes a good insert cars. It used to be a lot more popular but the new trend has been suede. Just remember that most velour has a nap direction like carpet does. So make sure that you have all your pieces running the same direction. Other wise you will see a color difference.

[Bondo497]

Thanks for that question BigRig, I also am using velour in my project and wasn't aware of the fact to pay attention to the direction of the material so it will all look uniform until John answered your question. Thanks John.

[BigRig]

Bondo497 what are you working on?

[Bondo497]

Hey BigRig, I'm working on a 1979 Peterbilt 352 COE 86" cab.

[BigRig]

Well that is just cool! I was just checking out the interior of a Peterbuilt yesterday and have a set a seats from a Kenworth T300 I want to do. I love the Heavy trucks and it may be where most of my new learned upholstery skill ends up. I grew up in those truck so remember the interiors right from the early 70's to date as my dad owns a Freightliner.

[Bondo497]

That's awesome BigRig, sounds like we were cut from the same cloth, I went into body work and paint right out of high school back in the late 80's but my heart was into trucks growing up with a truck driving dad. I worked in the body repair industry until 2005 when the highway started calling my name so I got my CDL and climbed into the trucking industry. Now my dad is retired and I'm following in his foot steps. He found the ole Pete parked in the woods forgotten and he loaded her up and brought her home and I went to work on her for him. I stretched her frame 4 more feet to a 208" wheelbase replaced some road battled body panels and then I got to the interior and found I knew nothing about this part so I went to YouTube and found John at The lucky Needle and after watching the videos I felt confident enough to tackle this side of things too and bought a machine from Sailrite. I've been practicing for about a month now but I'm starting the truck interior now. By the way BigRig, since you want to get into class 8 truck interiors, check out the Antique Truck Historical Society (ATHS) and The Antique Truck Club of America (ATCA). They have a great member base and good people that may need interiors done. We are just trying to keep these legends alive and on the road for everyone to see and enjoy. I'm doing interior as a hobby and I know you are getting into it professionally so I thought I would lend you an avenue for potential customers, also check them out, you may want to become a member yourself and check out your handywork at the club shows! Bondo497 waving a hand your way.

[BigRig]

I hope you have a CB radio in your truck to keep the old way of the road alive. Nobody talks to each other the way they did before. I am getting pulling in the direction of the BigRig interiors from my son who also right out of high school started industrial painting and bodywork and he loves the trucks. I find I am drawn to them helping him all the time. I have a career that this Upholstery work fits into really nicely and I can do it on my own time. It is just as if John was looking for us kind of people ha ha. I will look up those names you gave me. At some point I can see us having a show truck. Thanks Bondo

[Bondo497]

I do BigRig. My handle is Bondo. My name on this forum is a combination of my handle and the type radio I run, a Stryker 497. I think you're right about John reaching out to folks like us. No matter what you already know about one thing it's always good to learn about other things that interest you and he is willing to teach us old and new dogs some new tricks. He is a great teacher. P.S. I always knew when and if I ever climbed into a truck I would try my best to carry on the ways of the pioneers that blazed the trail ahead of me.

[Bondo497]

I'll post some pics of the Pete when I learn how to post them and actually sew something up but I know everyone on this forum would love to see the type work being done by everyone so if you have any pics of your work please share. Thanks, Bondo.

[John]

What a great story. Thanks for sharing @Bondo497! Thanks for the kind words as well guys.

Id love to see this stretched out Peterbilt. There is a section to show off projects in the categories. Adding pictures is pretty simple. Just click the add files button.
Im going to try to add some of my past projects later today

[Bondo497]

Hey John you deserve the praise. Thanks for letting me know how to post pictures. I'll get some sent soon. Looking forward to seeing your projects as well. Keep up the great instructions.

[BigRig]

Hey Bondo,

I would love to see the work you are doing and can you let us know what material and thread you used. Its cool to look at finished product but I am always trying to guess what kind of vinyl is being used especially in the training videos of John. I think I have guess a couple of brands to myself ha ha.

[Bondo497]

I haven't started on it yet, but I got all my material in last week. I am using Naugahyde Rogue II crimson vinyl, Transporters Neptune Scarlet velour, Sunguard B92 polyester thread in cardinal and red along with 1/2 inch t-shirt backed foam underneath both materials. And yes I am using the velour for inserts in the seats as well as the headliner. The vinyl will be on the walls, overhead console, dog house, curtain, doors and seats. I will be adding Detroit loop carpet the lowers of the door panels.

[BigRig]

Cool Bondo! I have just started on a set of seats that I am going to use Naugahyde for too. I was looking at that Transporters Velour as well. Those curtains and Dog house will be good places to start your project and good practice before getting to the other stuff.