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Thread: Tuck and roll upholstery is expensive!

  1. #1
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    Tuck and roll upholstery is expensive!

    I'm getting my two rear seat back panels done locally for $1,127. They are at Seat Cover King which has been in business since 1963. I hope they do it right. Two shops didn't even want to touch this job!
    Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Oakland

  2. #2
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    Good luck!

    Hope they come out nice. Let us know. I looked at replacing my interior last year but postponed that after putting the new motor in. Maybe next year.

    '07 22 Classic Shelby GT
    '96 18 Classic - sold
    '69 16 Ski & Sport - sold


  3. #3
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    That’s a little steep. I recently had my complete interior including the sides for 2000. Top of the line vinyl and I had the rear pads a little thicker for more comfort.
    better to die on your feet, than live on your knees

  4. #4
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    According to John Harmon (original Bilt Rite), when the rear seat backs are done correctly, they should be curved and stand on their own.

    Ken

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    For that money they had better be perfect. We will see ...
    Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Oakland

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by CHACHI View Post
    According to John Harmon (original Bilt Rite), when the rear seat backs are done correctly, they should be curved and stand on their own.

    Ken

    I took my biltrite seats to an interior guy and he said those seats would give any interior guy nightmares he said that was true craftsmanship and they don't do work like that anymore. he said a top end hotrod shop was probably the only place to go to get that end product.

    look at a biltrite candy cane interior the seams and colors are ballz on from seat cushion to seat back
    When the sky is grey,look out to sea.
    When the waves are high and the light is dying,
    well raise a glass and think of me...
    When I'm home again,
    boys, I'll be buying!

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  7. #7
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    When I did my resto I allowed myself 2 'treats' that were to be done by other people. The upholstery/cushions were one of them .
    The gal who did my work was originally in the sail making trade and moved on to marine and high end interior work.
    I knew it would be expensive but it came out flawlessly . I guess that if you want the real look ya gotta pay !

    Now , when my brother redid the interior on his XK19 the shop he used got one of their newest hires , basically an apprentice , to do the job. The rear seat was very similar to the C22 and when he saw the end result he told the guy to stop right there. In the end the shop owner took over and re-did it and finished all the other work and it came out very well.
    Just because something's old doesn't mean you throw it away !

  8. #8
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    the biltrite corners are special one a thicker setup they need to add material on thinner setups they just use descending and then ascending pleat size to radius the corner
    Attached Images Attached Images
    When the sky is grey,look out to sea.
    When the waves are high and the light is dying,
    well raise a glass and think of me...
    When I'm home again,
    boys, I'll be buying!

    My Ride

    Come Join Us on The Queen Of American Lakes



    Contact Us

    www.lgdonziclassic.com

  9. #9
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    I got the seats back and the work looks good but there isn't enough curve in them and I'm concerned about that. It's 14* in garage and I'll have to wait for a warmer day to put them in the boat.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Oakland

  10. #10
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    Upholstery curves are difficult to do correctly. It's easier with tuck & roll but, you need an expert upholsterer.

    My Greavette seats have a greater curve than a Donzi, plus they are not tuck & roll. I'm fortunate that a local boat club member happens to be an expert (has won numerous awards at ACBS shows) and does work for other club members. Plus, she is extremely reasonable on price.

    You don't have to accept low grade or, bend over for upholstery if you do your homework. Our person is not the only one around!
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Sean Conroy,
    1964 Formula Jr. (hull #2) project

    1972 Greavette Sunflash III
    1981 Kavalk Mistral project

    "A man can accomplish anything... as long as he doesn't care who gets the credit."

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by woobs View Post
    Upholstery curves are difficult to do correctly. It's easier with tuck & roll but, you need an expert upholsterer.

    My Greavette seats have a greater curve than a Donzi, plus they are not tuck & roll. I'm fortunate that a local boat club member happens to be an expert (has won numerous awards at ACBS shows) and does work for other club members. Plus, she is extremely reasonable on price.

    You don't have to accept low grade or, bend over for upholstery if you do your homework. Our person is not the only one around!
    Yep , that's nice work !
    Do you think that guys who have the old classic woodies just seem to know where the good upholstery guys are ?
    Most every time I see a beautiful restored example the interiors are really well done too .
    Just because something's old doesn't mean you throw it away !

  12. #12
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    I'd say because most people with a woodyboat are in the process of, or have already restored their boat(s). It's a good community and people love to help.
    ACBS has recently welcomed fiberglass classics so, I'd say join a local chapter and you'll find the quality stuff you need pretty quick.

    When I wanted to learn about my glass boats & performance, I joined the Donzi community and found the best people possible!

    Just for fun... here's the original.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Sean Conroy,
    1964 Formula Jr. (hull #2) project

    1972 Greavette Sunflash III
    1981 Kavalk Mistral project

    "A man can accomplish anything... as long as he doesn't care who gets the credit."

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by mattyboy View Post
    I took my biltrite seats to an interior guy and he said those seats would give any interior guy nightmares he said that was true craftsmanship and they don't do work like that anymore. he said a top end hotrod shop was probably the only place to go to get that end product.
    I agree. Back in my upholstery days I would not have wanted to do the Donzi seats. Too many pieces to cut/sew perfectly and too much time. I have done similar jobs, but very, very, few people realized the time involved and couldn't justify the cost.

    Quote Originally Posted by Carl C View Post
    I got the seats back and the work looks good but there isn't enough curve in them and I'm concerned about that. It's 14* in garage and I'll have to wait for a warmer day to put them in the boat.
    Carl, I'd take those seats back. Not enough curve and too many wrinkles. When you install them, they'll wrinkle a lot more in the corners. If done properly, no upholstery job should have wrinkles. Also, the piping is wavy too, which can be easily corrected. It only takes a couple minutes, so it shows they didn't care much about the finished product.
    Do not let them tell you it's normal, or the wrinkles will reduce in the sun (which is a common line). Over time, the sun will take out some wrinkles as the vinyl shrinks, but they can do the same thing with a heat gun, so if they give that line, insist they show you and remove them to your satisfaction. I hate to say it, but those weren't sew properly and will never take on the curve of the back seat properly.
    Why is faster never fast enough.

  14. #14
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    New seats look like ****. How do I handle this? Take them back with the pictures? They need to be completely redone. It looked better before they were touched.(last pic)
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    Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Oakland

  15. #15
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    Eat the cost and move on. Send them down to http://www.sturgisdesigns.com/custom...portfolio.html
    1972 16 OB - C16B-63 - "Surface Tension" Resto Project
    1974 16 OB - DMR16106017-B - "The Mule"

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