In this revised edition, learn to make and install complete interiors in your car, truck or van. The author teaches you how to sew like an expert, and avoid costly mistakes. Learn to recover and build bench bucket seats, make headliners and carpets, plus how to build boat seats from scratch. Materials are described with specific recommendations for vinyl, cloth, velvet, leather, Nimbus, panel board, etc. Indispensable for anyone interested in upholstery.
After disassembling and gutting your car, it is easy to feel that you're in way over your head when it comes to the upholstery. This is why so many do-it-yourself restorers outsource the work, at considerable expense, to an experienced upholstery shop. Taking the time to acquire the skills for upholstery restoration may feel like a daunting task, but what if an experienced upholsterer presented every skill you needed to restore upholstery yourself? Starting with a list of necessary tools, author Fred Mattson guides you through all the required tasks, including seat restoration; door panel removal, patterning, assembly, and installation; headliner removal and installation; carpet cutting; and even convertible top restoration. The easy-to-follow step-by-step presentation allows for a thorough understanding of all the processes. Every photo in this book provides a hands-on approach that shows you how to repair and restore a car’s interior to concours, show-quality specifications. Other restoration books may show you beautifully restored interiors, but they don't show you how to produce them. This book helps you develop the skills needed with instruction from a professional upholsterer, saving you thousands of dollars over outsourcing the restoration. If you are interested in saving money, doing a complete restoration yourself, or simply want to know how it's done, this book is a handy addition to your automotive library.
This user-friendly guide gives you the knowledge to keep your interior looking like new. You’ll learn how to get professional results from kits you can install in your own garage. Automotive upholstery is easy if you know the secrets of how to do professional quality work at home. There is no need to sew or buy an expensive industrial sewing machine because skilled technicians do the sewing for you. Upholstery kits and do-it-yourself products are available for a wide variety of cars and trucks. By doing the installation work yourself, you save money and have the satisfaction of learning a new skill. Detailed sections include: · Painting Interior Parts · Headliner Replacement · Carpet Kits · Door Panels · Dashboard Restoration · Seat Kit Installation · Kick Panels · Trunk Detailing · Steering Wheel Repairs and Swaps · Custom Seat Installation · Using Dyes · Simple Upholstery Repairs · Cleaning and Detailing Tips
There’s an old saying we've all heard before that goes "When the top goes down the price goes up." Of all the projects involved with the restoration of your collector car, few seem as challenging or confusing as addressing the convertible top. Due to aging and neglect, the hardware and fabric covering have led to some "not-so-nice conditions," making it difficult to find information addressing your specific model. Fred Mattson, author of Automotive Upholstery and Interior Restoration, delivers this compilation on restoring and repairing convertible tops. Step-by-step photo sequencing walks you through convertible top applications for Corvettes, Ford retractable tops, scissors tops, manual tops, and power tops. Fred also addresses the weather seals, well liners, hydraulic/electrical systems, adjustments, materials, and pads. No other book ever produced on convertible tops goes into this much depth of coverage. With this book you will be guided through the convertible top repair/restoration process in an easy-to-read how-to format, so there should be no reason to fear taking your drop top out with the threat of rain. Convertible Top Restoration and Installation will be the one tool that will show you how important a well-sorted top restoration is, not only for practical reasons, such as staying dry, but for cosmetic reasons as well.
Frustrations from installing an aftermarket kit interior are now over with this easy-to-follow, illustrated, step-by-step book that shows you how to achieve professional results. We have all heard that premade seat covers and interior pieces are junk, but this is not true. The majority of problems encountered is due to installer error. All old cars have fitment issues, and knowing how to overcome them will get you the desired results. This first-of-its-kind book walks you through how to properly install kits, including seat upholstery, door panels, carpet, and headliners. Tips are provided on ordering products and how to deal with a product that is defective. Installation tools, supplies and why you need them are all fully illustrated through color photos and easy-to-follow steps that will make your project look professionally done. Saving money and getting the satisfaction of doing a project yourself is what this book is all about. Learn tricks from a professional who has more than 46 years of installation experience and knows firsthand how to make a difficult project look great. It just takes a little guidance and patience to achieve that perfect fit.
Popular Mechanics inspires, instructs and influences readers to help them master the modern world. Whether it’s practical DIY home-improvement tips, gadgets and digital technology, information on the newest cars or the latest breakthroughs in science -- PM is the ultimate guide to our high-tech lifestyle.
Popular Mechanics inspires, instructs and influences readers to help them master the modern world. Whether it’s practical DIY home-improvement tips, gadgets and digital technology, information on the newest cars or the latest breakthroughs in science -- PM is the ultimate guide to our high-tech lifestyle.
Popular Mechanics inspires, instructs and influences readers to help them master the modern world. Whether it’s practical DIY home-improvement tips, gadgets and digital technology, information on the newest cars or the latest breakthroughs in science -- PM is the ultimate guide to our high-tech lifestyle.
Popular Mechanics inspires, instructs and influences readers to help them master the modern world. Whether it’s practical DIY home-improvement tips, gadgets and digital technology, information on the newest cars or the latest breakthroughs in science -- PM is the ultimate guide to our high-tech lifestyle.
