Reupholstering seats

Post by **Peas&Love** » 22 Oct 2011, 22:01

Hi there, we've just got our T25 and I know absolutely nothing about anything so will no doubt be chewing yours ears off with all sorts of questions over the next few weeks! Anyway, I want to redo the interior and I wondered where people went to get their seats/beds re-upholstered? Do you need somewhere local (there doesn't seem to be anyone round here, West London) or can you buy everything online and fit yourself? I can sew a bit - has anyone tried making seat/bed covers and if so, did you make up the pattern yourselves or is there a commercial one you can buy? Having said that, I do love the look of the vinyl - well nobody ever claimed VW camper van owning was cheap!

My other question - and I am not sure where to post it - is that the catches on some of the inner cupboard doors seem to be broken and I'd like to replace them. Can you buy bespoke cupboards, or will my husband have to get handy with the MDF?

Thank you in anticipation!

Post by **Silky** » 22 Oct 2011, 22:44

Hi (and welcome!)
I know little about what goes on with the oily greasy parts too but that doesn't stop me - I've just become well acquainted with the AA

I don't know how quickly you want to get going on this but it would be a good idea to go to a VW show first - there are always lots of traders specialising in interiors, it's great for ideas, not so good on the pocket. It's not cheap to get your seats and bed re-upholstered by one these traders - I think the quote they gave us was around £800, but it looks the business.

Another alternative is to use a local upholsterer. They may not wish to touch the car seats, but the bed cushions are straightforward and they can either use the existing foam or replace this. They'll usually do vinyls or any other material you fancy, I actually bought some thick corduroy for my bed and had the covers made (coming to less than £150 in total).

If you're handy with a sewing machine it's not actually difficult to make loose covers or even something a bit more elaborate. I'm intending to do this for a new van I've just bought - I've plenty of time before I'll be using her so I can just chip away a little at a time. The curtains are easy peasy too.

Don't forget to post up before and after pics

Silky

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 23 Oct 2011, 08:24

I think I mentioned this elsewhere but I recently picked up an all-metal Brit sewing machine (made by Hillman of all people) for free that would I'm sure sew concrete. Basically you remove existing covers and use those as a pattern. For me its a Winter project that I've been meaning to do for the last couple of years. I had the machine checked over and set up for me by a pro machinist and it'll sew leather, vinyl etc no problem. Its not rocket science if you're prepared to put in the time although you do need the correct needles ofcourse. I figure I'll make two sets and recoup any material costs by selling the second set. Same goes for interior panels.

I just have to watch the Mercs don't start asking me to retrim their fleet of wedges

Post by **1664** » 23 Oct 2011, 08:50

I think the majority send their vans (or the seats etc) to professional upholsters. Just an observation.

Although I reckon I could have done mine, I very much doubt I could have done it half as well......

Post by **Peas&Love** » 23 Oct 2011, 10:26

Here are some interior pix - hope they're not too massive! I suppose there are 2 main options - paying a couple of grand to have it professionally done inside top-to-toe, or doing it ourselves. As we spent the money we SHOULD have spent on getting the kitchen done on the van, we're probably looking at option 2!

Good idea to get a local upholsterer - I think I'd need a new sewing machine if I was to attempt it myself, as mine is pretty lightweight. I was thinking of getting the seats/bed done in denim - do you actually have to take them apart to fit new covers, or do you just put them over the top? The cab seats are in really good nick, it seems silly to replace them - would an upholsterer be able to make covers too do you think?

I have no idea how to fix the door clasps that aren't working. I am not that keen on the laminate MDF stuff the cupboards and table are made of either - I was thinking I could cover them with sticky vinyl in a cool print, has anyone done this and if so, where did you source the vinyl from?

Questions, questions! Thanks for all your help so far!

Post by **Silky** » 23 Oct 2011, 10:38

Hey, the interior's not bad peasandlove, there are much worse. The grey covers probably zip off or you can unpick a seam to remove them, you can then use the existing foam for your new covers.

A professional VW upholsterer can make miracles out of most vans - have a look at the gallery on this site http://www.thecampershak.co.uk/gallery.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - but it depends what you want. I'm going for a more "shabby chic" look in my new van (aka cheap and cheerful

) so I'm looking at cord or velvet. If you've a strong machine you can also buy vinyl fabric on Ebay but I suspect it will be much less forgiving.

I've a grey Westfalia interior in my LT and I'm not keen but as it's in good condition I'm wary of messing with it. I think you'll find once you've refreshed the upholstery and curtains you'll have enough colour in there anyway.

CovKid wrote:I think I mentioned this elsewhere but I recently picked up an all-metal Brit sewing machine (made by Hillman of all people) for free that would I'm sure sew concrete. Basically you remove existing covers and use those as a pattern. For me its a Winter project that I've been meaning to do for the last couple of years. I had the machine checked over and set up for me by a pro machinist and it'll sew leather, vinyl etc no problem. Its not rocket science if you're prepared to put in the time although you do need the correct needles ofcourse. I figure I'll make two sets and recoup any material costs by selling the second set. Same goes for interior panels.

Covkid are there any end to your talents? I haven't quite caught up with all the van painting stuff yet and now you're moving on .... Very interested to see the results, I was eyeing up the vinyls yesterday but my machine really would struggle.

Silky

Post by **Silky** » 23 Oct 2011, 10:41

Is the van a Westfalia? You might be able to source new catches for the doors online somewhere. It would be a shame to change them all for a few broken ones.

Silky

Post by **Peas&Love** » 23 Oct 2011, 11:00

It's a T25 - I think it belonged to someone on here actually! The interior isn't bad, but I don't like grey, I like bright colours - and I love decorating stuff!

Post by **1664** » 23 Oct 2011, 11:11

Silky wrote:Is the van a Westfalia?

Don't think it's a westy - the control panel on the cooker unit is missing. Reimo possibly.

Peas&Love; Westfalia is a camper conversion - one of many. We all (well, mostly) have VW t25's but with different camper conversions on the base vehicle. Mine's an Autohomes and there are also Leisuredrives, Devons, Autosleepers, Holdsworths and a few others. All different

Post by **Peas&Love** » 23 Oct 2011, 11:15

It is a Carthago - I've just asked! I am sooooo new to all this!

Post by **kevtherev** » 23 Oct 2011, 11:21

Peas&Love wrote: I want to redo the interior and I wondered where people went to get their seats/beds re-upholstered? Do you need somewhere local

My local upholsterer http://www.traffictrim.co.uk/gallery-vw.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; too far for you maybe but he's damn good and reasonably priced... take a look

he's done several vans from 80-90 now with excellent reviews.

did mine too..

Post by **Peas&Love** » 23 Oct 2011, 15:03

That is lovely! I looked at their website and it's definitely good value for what you get. I kind of want a project though. Not too difficult a project, mind!

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 23 Oct 2011, 17:46

Bear in mind if you stitch vinyl, any hole becomes permanent. You also use larger stitches and it can stick to machine foot if you don't use talcum powder or some kind of wax paper. Denim good to work with though, if you go steady.

Post by **BOXY** » 23 Oct 2011, 18:55

All done on the cheap via E-bay.

QUALITY VINYL REMNANT 1.9 X 3 METRES KITCHEN BATHROOM £0.99 + £10 post
D-C-FIX LIMBA MEDIUM STICKY-BACK VINYL 450roll /meter £12.00 + £3 post
6.5m - BLUE ~ Chenille Upholstery Fabric - FREE P&P £29.99

The floor vinyl was enough to cover the main floor, engine bay and sides of the seat / battery boxes. The sticky vinyl is available in some pretty mad colours if that's what you're looking for. The chenille fabric was turned into covers by my girlfriend and her mum. I haven't sorted the front seats yet, but now I'm working again I might splash out £20 on a set from Argos.

Post by **Silky** » 23 Oct 2011, 19:18

That looks great Boxy, I'm surprised sticky-back vinyl can look so good. What's it like close up? I'd be a little wary of the joins, are these noticeable? It definitely looks much fresher than the original interior.

Silky

P.s. When I can leave the kids and dog behind I'll be getting an interior like Kev's, mine are just too careless at the moment.

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