Experienced Mini folk,
A multi-level question involving upholstery.
I have decided to keep the original seats in my mini resto, yet have them re-upholstered. In doing so and while I love the thought of leather, I know leather can go bad much quicker than a marine vinyl. While I believe I would take care of the leather, I also know that projects and life gets in the way of best intentions. Therefore, I am seriously looking at Marine leather. Any suggestions to what people have done successfully and lasted the test of time with all inclimate weather. I'm in Texas and we are likely to see two seasons all in one day from freezing to mid 80's. Along with the surface material, are the foam kits from MiniSpares solid/comfortable/worthy? Just looking for a bit of advice from the wealth of experience out there. I guess while I'm asking, are they any suggested vendors you like? I have a couple Marine vinyl vendors picked out.. one of which is on ebay which good reviews/ratings.
Many Thanks in advance!!
I use a guy in the UK that sends me vinyl covers, color of my choice, and I install them myself. Mine are good as new 3 years later.
Good quality material of course makes a difference.....but they're only as good as the guy who sews them up, that's probably why Dan's look good three years later.
I would buy the foam inserts like MiniSpares and Newton commercial sell, as much for convenience as anything else.
You guys are awesome.. I'm not quite sure which route I will be going mainly because I have no idea how much my local guy will charge me. I do know that he is VERY good because I've seen his work on the aircraft that I deal with daily. I cannot afford a VVIP price tag which may determine whether I can use him or not. I'm at least glad I'm on the right track with Marine vinyl and the padding from Minispares is recommendable, thank you.
Local guy did my seats in fabric and vinyl I supplied the fabric but that would not change the cost much. The only thing I did was sandblast paint and put new webbing on the seat frames for the front and gave him the old back seat. He made the foam and covers and installed everything onto the frames for around $1,500.
I thought that was good the foams and covers from newton commercial plus install would be about the same.
If you by premade vinyl get the ones Dan uses I have used them they are great for the price.
Your interior looks great Jeff and very similar to what I'm after (light colors - white) which I know may be hard to keep clean. In the realistic world, how hard is it to keep your interior clean (door cards, seats, etc..)? I sent a text to my potential upholsterer asking what his rates were. This will help me decide which direction to go. I too have the same idea of refinishing the seat frame/base, etc and I have foam from MiniSpares in my basket. I'm just waiting on Simon to tell me how to place my order with the TMF discount.
Quote from: Lone Star Mini on November 05, 2017, 08:55:35 PM
I'm just waiting on Simon to tell me how to place my order with the TMF discount.
Place your order = Send a note to Simon advisng your TMF membership ID = and advise TMF Membership to link to your Purchase together.
From there on out, Ive always had it automatically Applied after payment after shipping... it just shows up on invoice... you wont see it before hand... Once they link up your TMF Membership to your Minipsares Buyers Info = it pretty much is set and done. Even if i missed one year of a TMF Membership contribution!
My potential upholsterer gave me a quote of $300 per seat ($900 for front and rear). Does that sound reasonable to you who have been this route?
I paid $1100 for all my seats to be redone with cloth several years ago.
The quote seems reasonable, depending on materials used.
Willie B, did that include materials?
My local guy quoted me $350 each to recover some Miata seats in vinyl, no new foam.
Edited: for early morning math stupidity.
Dave,
At $300 per seat, a quote of $900 total would be 3 seats (2 front + 1 rear = 3 seats)?
Are you sure you aren't a programmer and prone to the "off by 1" error?
Ha! Must be the exhaust fumes from running my engine test stand this morning!
The price sounds reasonable then. The front seats also have headrests. I guess I'll go down this path. I may seek his guidance on recovering door card as I think I would like to do this personally. I appreciate everyone's input
@ willie. We'll be in your area the week of Dec 25. My girls have already asked to go to Stone Mtn. Would love to meet you in person if in town
The 1100 included the material but not new foam.
Lone Star Mini, I am about 10 minutes from Stone Mountain and it would be great to meet you also.
My seat vinyl and door cards are light grey sets with black and white houndstooth inserts. it does get dirty easy and i dont drive it a lot but it cleans up quick and easy. door cards have not been a problem just the gray vinyl of the seats. for a daily driver, it might be a little annoying but not terrible.
Got my order in today for seat padding (along with radiator hoses) with Mini Spares. It appears that with the TMF 7.5% discount and not having to pay the VAT taxes, we come out slightly ahead of having to pay shipping rates
Question? What is the TMF discout? I saw some discussion about it in another thread also.
TMF (The Mini Forum) - www.theminiforum.co.uk has a deal where you pay $5 for the TMF plus membership and you receive s 7.5% discount on all Mini Spares purchases.
Well dang 11.gif 50.gif :-[ thanks though it'll save in the future for sure.
Quote from: gr8kornholio on November 08, 2017, 11:08:03 AM
Well dang 11.gif 50.gif :-[ thanks though it'll save in the future for sure.
I didn't know that either.
Hmmm... wonder if they'd consider a Restoration Mini discount?
I signed up for that a long time ago but Simon or whoever was on vacation and I could never get a reply from him. I lost interest and let my membership expire.