Upholstery

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Topic author
greenacres36
Posts: 133
Joined: Sun Sep 27, 2020 3:50 pm
First Name: Brian
Last Name: Williams
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Tudor, 1915 Runabout
Location: Prospect, Ohio

Upholstery

Post by greenacres36 » Sun Nov 28, 2021 9:25 am

I’ve done an upholstery job on a classic Ford truck without any problems using a kit. I need to do my 15 Runabout now. Is this project a lot more difficult than the job I did on my truck? It looks way more complicated. If so can I get a rating of difficulty? 1 to 10. 10 being very difficult. I want to do a “nice” job but this is a driver not a show car. Also any tips?

Thanks in advance.
Brian

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perry kete
Posts: 1560
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:46 am
First Name: Dennis
Last Name: Seth
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Coupe 1927 Touring
Location: Jefferson Ohio

Re: Upholstery

Post by perry kete » Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:34 am

Brian,

If I can do it anyone can do it! I can't even get Velcro to stick together. Just take your time. I bought a kit from one of the vendors.

'22 Model T Ford Coupe after restoration 2.JPG
1922 Coupe & 1927 Touring


hah
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: john
Last Name: hardiman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 coupe
Location: stoughton, ma

Re: Upholstery

Post by hah » Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:39 am

What vendor????


speedytinc
Posts: 3814
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
First Name: john
Last Name: karvaly
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
Location: orange, ca
MTFCA Number: 14383
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Upholstery

Post by speedytinc » Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:45 am

Buy the kit for an open type car. Enclosed, like above is simpler. I would probably not buy an enclosed car kit with your experience level. I think mine was from Classic.
I have done quite a few re-upholstery jobs back in the day. For the $$, its not worth sewing up from scratch.
All the wood must be top notch. The seat cushion cover attaches to a channel in the spring base. If you cant get that channel open, its rusty, etc, Its not that expensive to replace with a new one. I lean this way.
Last edited by speedytinc on Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:50 am, edited 1 time in total.


Topic author
greenacres36
Posts: 133
Joined: Sun Sep 27, 2020 3:50 pm
First Name: Brian
Last Name: Williams
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Tudor, 1915 Runabout
Location: Prospect, Ohio

Re: Upholstery

Post by greenacres36 » Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:48 am

This is all reassuring news. I do have a couple of pieces of wood to replace. Tack rail on back for sure.


Rich Bingham
Posts: 1922
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:23 am
First Name: Rich
Last Name: Bingham
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

Re: Upholstery

Post by Rich Bingham » Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:55 am

About replacing wood, if it's rotten, broken or "punky", definitely. If it's solid, but problematic for a new install because it looks like Swiss cheese from old tack holes, push round toothpicks into the holes with a drop of wood glue; when dry, cut off the excess with side-cutters and sand smooth. Well worth the extra time.
"Get a horse !"

User avatar

perry kete
Posts: 1560
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:46 am
First Name: Dennis
Last Name: Seth
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Coupe 1927 Touring
Location: Jefferson Ohio

Re: Upholstery

Post by perry kete » Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:59 am

HAH,

Sent a PM

Denny
1922 Coupe & 1927 Touring


MichaelPawelek
Posts: 702
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:01 pm
First Name: Michael
Last Name: Pawelek
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Touring, 1925 Coupe
Location: Brookshire, Texas
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Upholstery

Post by MichaelPawelek » Sun Nov 28, 2021 11:00 am

And if the holes in the wood are a bit larger use wooden match sticks with wood glue.


Upholstery Mike
Posts: 46
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2020 2:37 pm
First Name: MICHAEL
Last Name: FRANCIS
Location: Lindstrom, MN
MTFCA Number: 411
MTFCI Number: 171
Contact:

Re: Upholstery

Post by Upholstery Mike » Tue Nov 30, 2021 12:01 pm

The diamond tufted seat cushion is the hardest part. If you would like a kit or partial kit feel free to email me at mike@classtiqueupholstery.com

Mike
Www.classtiqueupholstery.com

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Humblej
Posts: 1682
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:23 pm
First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Humble
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian built coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, survivor 1924 roadster
Location: Charlevoix, Mi
MTFCA Number: 28034
Board Member Since: 2006

Re: Upholstery

Post by Humblej » Tue Nov 30, 2021 1:46 pm

Brian, I have done a classic car, closed model T and open model T, and open T is by far the most difficult. On your scale of 1-10, I give it a 10. The wrap around seat back is what makes it so difficult. Getting the buttons the right height and the upholstery to smoothy wrap around to the side and arm rests is a process requiring removing and trying again repeatedly. Do not drive your tacks home until you have everything where you want it. If you do it right you should not be able to tell where the seat back rest springs end and the sides begin. Upholstery and top on an open car is 50 % of the cars appearance, dont go cheap or get some local guy to try his hand at model t upholstery for the first time. Upholstery and top is worth a quality job. If you want to do it yourself get the best quality kit money can buy...or pay the kit maker to install it. The picture is my unrestored 1924 runabout, not the same as a 15, but the seat back is similar.
1924rdstr3.jpg

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TWrenn
Posts: 3372
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Wrenn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13 Touring, '26 "Overlap" Fordor
Location: Ohio
MTFCA Number: 30701
MTFCI Number: 24033
Board Member Since: 2019

Re: Upholstery

Post by TWrenn » Tue Nov 30, 2021 3:42 pm

Upholstery Mike wrote:
Tue Nov 30, 2021 12:01 pm
The diamond tufted seat cushion is the hardest part. If you would like a kit or partial kit feel free to email me at mike@classtiqueupholstery.com

Mike
Www.classtiqueupholstery.com
Brian, if it's not too late, take my advice. HAVE MIKE DO THE SEAT BOTTOM!! You won't regret the little bita extra expense.
I did have Elizabeth do both seat backs on my '13, cause I just didn't have the gumption, but for a runabout, a DIY'er should be
able to do a good job on his own if he takes his time. That's my problem... "ADHD"....focus is an issue!! :lol:

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