Backpad refresh, Upholstery hold down strip Options

[seanpaulmc]

Dear Upholstery Experts-

On the outer bolsters of the backpad, the vinyl where it meets the field and the bolster is anchored to the back board with a strip of some backing material that the staples are driven through. After 50 years this is brittle and crumbling.

What is this material?
Or, what is used as a substitute today?







Thank you,
Sean

[Literati914]

I've used heavy vegetable tanned leather, like tooling, harness or skirting.. just 'cause I've had it around. You could probably get less than a whole side via ebay.

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[seanpaulmc]

I've used heavy vegetable tanned leather, like tooling, harness or skirting.. just 'cause I've had it around. You could probably get less than a whole side via ebay.

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@Literati914 thank you for the reply. That gives me the idea to use an old leather belt.

Also, I've just read through your entire thread on the clipped car rebuild and your work is very impressive. I'm guessing not your first rodeo. Especially the stuff done outdoors without a rotisserie. I'm in Orlando, FL and also working outside without a rotisserie and it has been very slow going for me. Your project looks great!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Literati914]

Hey Sean, a heavy old belt should work, I'd think. I used an 'easier' method for the back pad on this latest car.. but from memory, IIRC I stapled the outside bolster of the backpad to the vinyl of the big flat area, along the edge (face side to face side, and the curvatures matching up). Then I went back and glued the leather strip to the underside at the staples line . Then stapled this combo to the backer just under the thick foam.

Thanks for the kind words on my project - doing this stuff outdoors is a challenge, you gotta stay determined (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) , gotta stay hungry (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

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