Reupholstering a boat seat is easier than you might imagine. Direct sunshine, rain, moisture, water, etc. can harm boat seats. The finest method for recovering your current boat seats is re-upholstering. Reupholstering can be less expensive than replacing the complete boat seats and you can do it yourself or hire an expert. If the effects of time are beginning to show on your boat seats, you can reupholster them yourself to restore their original beauty. It allows you the option to alter the cover colors if you’d like in addition to replacing the vinyl and foam in the boat seat. You might also save a lot of money by learning how to reupholster boat cushions, seats, and coverings rather than hiring a professional to do it or purchasing all new seats.
Techniques for reupholstering boat seats without stitching the covers
You’re going to use a staple gun instead of sewing. It’s a tried-and-true technique that almost anyone can use without having sewing experience or having to spend money on an expensive industrial sewing machine. With this, you can achieve extremely good results, and for someone who doesn’t feel comfortable using a sewing machine, it might be quicker and simpler.
What you’ll require is:
- Marine-grade vinyl
- Foam padding
- Screwdriver
- China marker/grease pencils
- Sewing scissors
- Industrial stapler or carpet tacker with staples
How to reupholster boat seats on a pontoon?
Whether your boat is a pontoon or not, the following step-by-step guide will show you exactly what you need to do to reupholster your seats. Whatever kind of boat you have, the procedure is the same. The staple gun method is the one that is described step by step.
Step 01: Measure your foam and vinyl:
Your old boat seat coverings will serve as templates for cutting the new vinyl. You can disassemble your pontoon boat in advance by taking out one of the cushions and seats. Use your screwdriver to take the existing staples out from underneath. Examine the foam cushioning while removing the old vinyl and laying it down on the ground. If the padding has water damage, it could also need to be replaced. You should then be able to determine how much marine vinyl and foam you’ll need for your do-it-yourself seat upholstery job.
Step 02: Purchase the proper vinyl and foam sizes:
Because they reflect heat, the majority of boat seats are made of white, cream, and softer colors. If the foam also needs to be replaced, you can measure it and purchase it. It is advised to use foam that is long-lasting, cut-able, and fire-resistant. All of those criteria are met by the upholstery foam, which is available in rolls that can be cut to size. Depending on how much compression and “sink” you want in your chairs while seated, however, you could want a different product, so choose your foam carefully based on what you are used to.
Step 03: Flatten your new marine vinyl:
Marine-grade vinyl for boat seat reupholster frequently comes in rolls. The delivery person will be happy, but you won’t be happy! When you receive it, unroll it and place some weights on the ends before laying it flat. It will be easier to deal with and will make stretching over the seat construction in the following steps much simpler if you can let it sit in the sun in this manner for about 30 minutes.
Step 04: As a template, cut the new vinyl using the old:
Put your old boat seat cover on the fresh vinyl, face down. Make a trace of it with your grease pencil that is as close to a perfect replica as you can. After tracing, discard the old vinyl. Using a pair of sewing scissors, cut out the new boat seat shape.
Step 05: Put the vinyl on top of the foam and seat base:
It depends on the condition of the previous foam and whether it needs to be replaced or whether new foam is necessary. Use the template cutting process once more to obtain the right form and size if it does need to be replaced. Depending on how thick the foam is, you might need to use an electric or Stanley knife because the scissors might not be able to cut it cleanly. However, the procedure is the same whether the foam is new or old: simply insert the foam padding onto the freshly cut set cover in a central position, and then fit the wooden seat base on top of the foam.
Step 06: Staple the vinyl in place after pulling it tightly:
Lean forward while looking down at the new seating arrangement and draw the front edge of the new cover up and over the wooden section. As tightly as you can, stretch it out. Now, using your tack gun or industrial carpet stapler (use this one), begin stapling through the vinyl and into the wood. When stapling the front vinyl piece to hold it in place and fully stretched, only put in a few staples at first since you can come back to it later and add additional security by punching staples every 2 cm. This procedure can now be repeated with the seat cover’s rear end, followed by its two opposite ends, just stapling them into place first with the vinyl pushed as tightly as possible. Do not begin turning the seat around to add more staples with those 2 cm gaps. That’s all; your seat coverings should now seem brand-new and contemporary.
How Much Does It Cost to Reupholster Boat Seats?
At a reputable establishment, the labor cost to reupholster a boat seat might reach $80.00 per hour. The price of your preferred marine vinyl is then added, and the total quickly rises. Many boat seats, though, maybe repaired on your own. The cost and harm are inversely proportional. Your new boat’s interior can have almost any look and feel by using a skilled upholstery business. It really depends on how much money you have to spend. If your boat costs $50,000, you should anticipate paying extra for more expensive materials and intricate craftsmanship.