interior fabric source
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2006
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interior fabric source
just wondering where a good place is to get seat fabric, seat foam, headliner material, and other interior fabrics. i havent had much luck googleing it and figured some one here should know. im planning to reupholster my seat myself so i need where to find material. also what type of materials do you guys suggest, i dont want vinyl or leather, i want cloth. but i dont know what kind. thanks.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 108
From: Northshore, MN
tweed. Gabe Lopez does beautiful work, and I wish I could have him do mine, but alas, I can't. But maybe watching/researching "American Hotrod" will net results on what materials Gabe uses. But I think tweed is it. Someone else here will probably have a better answer.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
LeBaron Bonney, and there are other sources...look in Hemmings.
Fabrics: Bill Hirsch...see his ad in Hemmings.
1900/1960: Original Ford materials and fabrics: Mohair (angora goat hair...Ford used it for years on closed cars seats, door panels and headliners, no scheiss!), leatherette (a vinyl type material), broadcloth. Leather only in open cars. Moss Tread carpeting, wool carpeting, jute backing on floor mats and carpets. Originally horsehair and excelsior stuffing. Foam rubber in the seats beginning in the 1950's. Woven plastic and vinyl seats beginning in the 1950's and later. Cardboard headliners on commercial vehicles.
Fabrics: Bill Hirsch...see his ad in Hemmings.
1900/1960: Original Ford materials and fabrics: Mohair (angora goat hair...Ford used it for years on closed cars seats, door panels and headliners, no scheiss!), leatherette (a vinyl type material), broadcloth. Leather only in open cars. Moss Tread carpeting, wool carpeting, jute backing on floor mats and carpets. Originally horsehair and excelsior stuffing. Foam rubber in the seats beginning in the 1950's. Woven plastic and vinyl seats beginning in the 1950's and later. Cardboard headliners on commercial vehicles.
Last edited by NumberDummy; May 6, 2007 at 02:04 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,351
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From: Escondido, CA
There is also a interior design book I checked out of the library not too long ago that lists the sources of all the materials used by the authors. It's covers anything auto interior and custom convertable top making. Automotive Upholstery Handbook, by Don Taylor or Custom Auto Interiors By Don Taylor and Ron Mingus; check out those two books for helpful hints and knowledge.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,525
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From: oh
Where can I get the red skirting and tweed center material for a 56 seat? I have 2 seats now and I need the material also. I like the design and they held up real good.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Mid Fifty can supply the OEM style woven vinyl material, but don't get sticker shock!
There are two versions of fabric upholstery material: backed and unbacked. You can often get either in the same material. Each is used in different portions of the interior. Backed has a coating applied that makes it resistant to stretching, unbacked does not.
Backed is used for seat cushion tops, on flat panels, and similar areas where the fabric must move but not wrinkle or stretch out of shape, Unbacked is used where the fabric needs to be stretched and conform to compound curves and then stay that way such as headliners, doorpanels, arm rests, and the popular sculptured foam or hard panels such as sold by Roddoors.
You can test a piece of the fabric to see which it is. Unbacked can be stretched and pulled diagonally, backed cannot. Don't use the wrong one for the wrong areas, or you will be very disappointed with the results.
Various types, thicknesses, densities of foam can be ordered from www.foambymail.com
There are two versions of fabric upholstery material: backed and unbacked. You can often get either in the same material. Each is used in different portions of the interior. Backed has a coating applied that makes it resistant to stretching, unbacked does not.
Backed is used for seat cushion tops, on flat panels, and similar areas where the fabric must move but not wrinkle or stretch out of shape, Unbacked is used where the fabric needs to be stretched and conform to compound curves and then stay that way such as headliners, doorpanels, arm rests, and the popular sculptured foam or hard panels such as sold by Roddoors.
You can test a piece of the fabric to see which it is. Unbacked can be stretched and pulled diagonally, backed cannot. Don't use the wrong one for the wrong areas, or you will be very disappointed with the results.
Various types, thicknesses, densities of foam can be ordered from www.foambymail.com
Last edited by AXracer; May 6, 2007 at 05:59 PM.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,972
Likes: 9,791
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Start with your local yellow pages. There's bound to be a local shop that supplies all of the upholstery places in your town.
I'm going to be sewing up (or attempting it) my own interior also. I hope to get started this summer.
Good luck
Bobby
I'm going to be sewing up (or attempting it) my own interior also. I hope to get started this summer.
Good luck
Bobby
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
I went to the local auto upholstery shop down the way. He sold me the tweed. To go over irregularities, you need the good stuff that stretches. Three years ago I paid $25/yard. It's gotta be more by now. Good luck, Jag
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
We are fortunate to be in furniture country, there are dozens of upholstery fabric outlet stores here. When the furniture manufacturers change their fabric offerings the leftovers are sold dirt cheap.