The Upholstery Forum

I am working on my first auto upholstery project and first big project with vinyl. I am so confused about the textures. What texture looks best? If you are using two colors do the textures need to be the exact same texture? Here are examples of three vinyls with different textures. I am personally drawn to the first texture. What texture do you all prefer? Also what weight vinyl is best? Is 29 oz sufficient? I appreciate any and all advice. John, thank you for your awesome courses! I have lots of sewing experience and furniture upholstery experience but I was pretty overwhelmed when looking at doing the upholstery on my 1957 Chevy Bel Air wagon. After watching your courses and feel like I can totally do this!!!

Hi @Jeanne! Welcome to the forum!!!

Its really all up to you and the customer on the design you want. I typically stick with smoother texture material for a majority or all of the interior. I use the heavier texture materials when a contrast is needed from the rest of the interior. They are a million options to chose from and it can get over whelming, I know... 29 oz is plenty for automotive use. For car interiors I dont typically worry about the oz weight. I focus on how the material feels to the touch and if its rated for automotive use.

Thanks for the positive comments on the courses! People like you make all the effort I put in worth while! I cant wait to see your finished 57 Chevy interior!

Thank you! A fabric I found locally that I liked is listed as a marine vinyl. I assume if it is rated for marine use it would be fine for auto as well, correct?

Yes that is correct. Its pretty rare to find a vinyl that is rated for automotive and not Marine. Pretty much everything I see is rated for both. Its the stuff thats only rated for furniture / contract use you need to avoid.

You can do this and great you have a car to do. I am saddled with furniture aside from seat repair that is what comes in these days.