Need an Upholsterer Recommendation

[Jugster]

Well, it's gotten to be that time when I need to get my '15 Touring reupholstered. Getting the kit is no problem and I'll probably use Classtique. The problem is finding a brass car-qualified auto-upholstery shop within driving range of my 30 mph Model T (I don't own a trailer or a pickup truck with which to tow it and would rather not deal with the problem if I can possibly avoid it). I live in the Smithtown/Commack/Kings Park area of Long Island (about the middle of the island near the north shore). I'd sure appreciate any recommendations.

[John kuehn]

Have you considered trying to do it yourself ? I had second thoughts about installing new upholstrey in my 24 Coupe but after a little research I decided to do it. It took a little time but it turned out pretty nice.
When I restored my 21 Touring I bought the kit from Classtique and watched and followed the videos.
It took about a month to do it and I took my time doing one step at a time. I learned by doing and watching others on the forum besides the Classtique videos. If I can do it anybody can. Just takes patience and a little time. Good luck with your car on whatever way you choose to use!

[CudaMan]

If you don't want to tackle installing the kit yourself, contact Elizabeth at Class-it-up:

http://www.class-it-up.com/

[Oldav8tor]

Bob,
Most upholstery shops do the job from scratch...they may have some reluctance to install someone else's kit. The other thing, you likely will find some of the tack strips (both around the tops of the seats and at the the seatback bottoms) needing repair. I replaced the upper tack strips and repaired the lowers by gluing toothpicks in the old tack holes.You might also have to repair the springs. Honestly, I don't know if you'd want to leave those jobs to an upholstery shop.

In our area, there are some Classic Car restorers that do such work as one of their services. I'd talk to your Model T friends and see what they've done, maybe enlist their help. Once the prep work is done, the upholstery goes on pretty easily if you follow a few basic rules.

[CudaMan]

A bit OT, but here are some pics of the installation of a custom Classtique kit I recently installed on my 1912 Flanders 20. I sent them my original leather upholstery and they used it for patterns to make the new kit.

This was only my second attempt at upholstery installation. I definitely recommend getting a good pneumatic upholstery stapler, it will make the job much easier. Also, don't use the cheap hog ring pliers supplied with the kit, go online and buy some good hog ring pliers.

Class it Up also has some videos covering upholstery and top installation:

https://www.youtube.com/user/Classtique/videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fHvyfIGhTg&t=16s

[jiminbartow]

From 1970 to 1972 I did a ground up restoration on my 1926 coupe taking it from a rusted hulk to showroom condition in 2 years. When I started, I was 16 and had no experience in any of the skills needed for a project of such magnitude, but I studied a lot and educated myself, learning as I went, gaining confidence along the way, doing it all myself. There was no Internet or MTFCA to ask advice of so I learned from books and doing. As a financially challenged teenager (translation: poor), the hardest thing was having to wait to do the next task until I saved up enough money bagging groceries for $1.65/hr., to buy the next part I needed. By the time I was ready to upholster it, it was 1972 and I had learned a lot and felt there was nothing I couldn’t do.

At that time, the go to place for Model T upholstery was “Carter’s Cut and Cover”. Their kits were very good and came with very clear instructions. Upon receiving the kit and reading the instructions, there was no question as to who was going to install it. Me. Once I started, it was much easier than I thought and was even very fun and fulfilling.

“Carter’s Cut and Cover” went out of business when the owner died. Since being on the Forum, the upholstery place I have heard the most recommendations about from members who have used them is “Classtique” at www.classtiqueupholstery.com. “Classtique” makes kits for every style Model T using the same materials and colors used in the day. When I have to reupholster my T, I will be using “Classtique”. Jim Patrick

PS. My biggest regret is not taking pictures of one of the most important learning experiences of my life. Don’t be like me where the experience is only in your memory. Take plenty of pictures and keep a ledger or journal to document what you have done, how and when and keep records of what each task cost in time and $. Please post photos and let us see your T and your progress.