Do it yourself Auto Upholstery Auto-upholstery is a bumper to bumper
experience,encompassing all leather and fabric inside and outside the car. An
upholstery project can be an easy endeavor involving simple tools,or it can be a
complicated project involving heavy industrial equipment. With a few easy
steps,you can learn to do auto upholstery on your own,from choosing tools to
identifying materials and buying special parts for your project. Tools Learn
about the tools used in auto upholstery. For simple projects,you can start with
a sewing machine designed to sew through upholstery fabric. Types of sewing
machines used in auto upholstery include single needle,double needle and
chain-stitch sewing machines. The single needle machine is your standard sewing
machine. Machines with stronger motors are often used in upholstery because more
power is need to sew thickly-layered fabric. The double-needle machine is
specialized to help you sew welts,a technique that gives the edges of cushions
their corded look. A chain-stitch sewing machine is used by professionals to
eliminate the need for changing the bobbin autel
maxidas ds708 update. A bobbin is a second spool that provides thread to
anchor the sewing thread from the spool. A chain-stitch sewing machine allows
you to use two equal-sized spools instead of a spool and a small bobbin. Some
hand tools are necessary for all jobs. Must-have hand tools for upholstery
trimmers include scissors or shears,side or diagonal cutters,a tape
measure,multiple yardsticks,tailor's chalk and washable marking pens for marking
materials,trim pins and hog rings to help hold your upholstery materials in
place,and hog ring pliers to shape the hog rings. You should also have a good
set of mechanic's tools including pliers,screwdrivers,a ratchet set and a
hammer. Projects that require you to shape foam are best done with a foam saw.
Dealing with staples Get the right tools to remove staples and attach the new
upholstery TS501.
Many older vehicles have fasteners securing doors and seats which are difficult
to remove without the proper tools. When planning a restoration of an old
vehicle's upholstery,get a window or door handle clip remover,as well as tack
and staple pullers to detach the fabric from the seats. For jobs with a lot of
tight spots to staple,use a trimmer's staple gun,which is a special staple gun
used to anchor upholstery in small spaces. According to "Automotive Upholstery
Handbook," the trimmer's staple gun relies on a piston-type air compressor
capable of 40 psi air pressure at cubic feet of air pressure per minute. You can
buy this kind of air compressor at hardware stores. Specialized Pieces Plan to
have some parts manufactured for you,especially if they are difficult or
expensive to make on your own. If you have a special need,such as making custom
buttons,contact an upholstery shop to see it can do it for you. Vinyl Coating
Applying vinyl requires some special tools and attachments. If you plan
professional work,like spraying vinyl coating on your upholstery,use a paint gun
with a #80 tip. Like the trimmer's staple gun,the paint gun also requires that
you have the same type of air compressor. If you don't already have a
compressor,a glue-spraying gun may be cheaper than buying the whole setup. When
applying vinyl to your seats,you will also need a heat gun to dry and shrink the
vinyl and to make it more pliable for molding around the seat foam.
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