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Topic: Upholstery Recommendations? (Read 1423 times) previous topic - next topic

Upholstery Recommendations?

Our D&P chairs plus our dinette need to be recovered.  They are the original leather/vinyl material and are definitely showing their age.

When we redid these in our '96 in 2003, we had Foretravel use high-end Ultraleather (we actually were the ones who told Foretravel about Ultraleather).  I loved the look and feel and easy cleanup of the Ultraleather.

However, after just a couple of years, the top material (the leathery looking stuff) had pulled away from the seams leaving just the white under-material along the seamsl.  It showed and didn't look good. 

So, I hesitate to use Ultraleather again and am leaning towards leather like the seats are currently done in.

Has anyone else re-upholstered their D&P and/or dinette with a material that they like, is easy to clean, and has lasted?  I don't want fabric as we have a dog that sometimes has dirty paws.

Thanks
Gayle McNeece

Re: Upholstery Recommendations?

Reply #1 –
I never liked Ultraleather. It does not last that long and the vinyl separates from the cloth backing. The Mexican vinyl is much better.  Check posts from last month to several years ago on having your coach done in Puerto Peñasco. Excellent job and materials plus a fun oceanside vacation. Price was one fourth of what Foretravel wanted for Ultraleather. Several others have done the same. Koda, our big Grey Wolf, has made several cuts in the sofa on the U300. Our choices are the same material that Muñoz used on the front seats or a HD fabric that will be immune from his claws. We have a free to us sofa in the office that is claw proof but his fur means constantly cleaning it. Photo below shows the material on the southwest sofa.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Upholstery Recommendations?

Reply #2 –
We had our front captain chair, door & door frame covered in UltraLeather, and it is holding up just fine.  We like the feel and after many years, it still looks like new. 

I wonder if sewing technique may have contributed to the separation at the seams.

Foretravel did the door & frame, but those pieces had no sewing.  Seats were covered by another business.

Re: Upholstery Recommendations?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
We had our front captain chair, door & door frame covered in UltraLeather, and it is holding up just fine.  We like the feel and after many years, it still looks like new. 

I wonder if sewing technique may have contributed to the separation at the seams.

I am wondering that, too.  Too fine a thread, to tight of tension, and too small a stitch length might cause the thread of the stitches to cut the Ultraleather.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Upholstery Recommendations?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Michelle –
I am wondering that, too.  Too fine a thread, to tight of tension, and too small a stitch length might cause the thread of the stitches to cut the Ultraleather.
Michelle,

Think you probably have the answer. The Ultraleather is thinner than a lot of other vinyls so as it ages, any shortcomings in the stitching will show up. Since it is a little thinner, it has the advantage of really crisp edges when installed over foam. Thicker vinyl can't quite match the tight radiuses it has but is more forgiving when thread and stitching are figured in.

Our Ultraleather just started coming apart with the vinyl separating from the backing, first on the armrests and then the seats themselves. Since our coach had been outside much of it's life, I wonder if the elevated temperatures sped the process along.

While real leather has a great smell, it does not do well in dry warm climates unless constantly maintained. It really shrinks pulling the seams and cracking. I remember trying to tell the difference between leather and MB-Tex in new Mercedes. I would try and order the car with MB-Tex but initially got a lot of reluctance from customers. I would show two cars, one with leather and the other with the vinyl but would put leather scraps or a chamois under the seat. It was impossible for anyone including myself to tell the difference. Plus, the MB-Tex would last almost forever. If you have a MBZ 300SD, you probably have TEX as Mercedes did not send 300SDs to the states with leather at least when I was in the business.

Leather interiors on cars in most cases, have leather only on the seating area with vinyl on the rest of the seat and side panels. Some even advertise xx square feet of premium leather. Not hard to do the math and realize that the total seat and side panel area is several times the square footage they boast about.

Pierce


Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Upholstery Recommendations?

Reply #5 –
This is totally off topic, but that's a gorgeous animal.
1986 36' Grand Villa OREG converted to 7.3 IDI diesel

Re: Upholstery Recommendations?

Reply #6 –
We had our couch and 2 chairs done in UltraLeather by FOT back in 2011. About a year ago we noticed some wear on the couch. (see pics please excuse my foot in the second one) I might mention my rear end has been planted in that spot for a large percentage of the last 6 years. :)

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Upholstery Recommendations?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Flopsie –
This is totally off topic, but that's a gorgeous animal.
Thanks! We feel very lucky to have him as part of the family. The wolf breeder mixed in some malamute/husky genes several generations back so he's legal in all states. The only way to tell is the little red on his nose. I know the question will come up.

Here is a couple shots of a photo shoot with four of the Project Runway designers as well as Koda helping me find an airport. That's Melissa Fleiss in the photo with Gaylie and Koda. Daniel was terrified of him.

Won't hog any more of this topic. Will post on the "A Foretravel Dog, or.......  Michelle, how about moving it?

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Upholstery Recommendations?

Reply #8 –
First picture a piper?
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Upholstery Recommendations?

Reply #9 –
Tim,

No, it's a 1972 Grumman AA-5 Traveler with a O-320 Lycoming. New LyCon engine but it needs a paint job. Photo is 143 kts true in level flight but about 150 rpm over redline. Think this is a world record for a Traveler. Prop could have a couple more inches but we fly into a lot of high density altitude places so it's nice to be able to get off quickly.

Grumman AA-5 Traveler - Google Photos

Pierce

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Upholstery Recommendations?

Reply #10 –
Better take thread back to upholstery!!!
Sweet!!!
Sorry.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Upholstery Recommendations?

Reply #11 –
I agree. That is a fine looking dog!
Michael Hayley; Barry Brennan
2001 U320, 36', IFS, build #5909
Buster and Shelby, (Boxers)