Spyder Spyder front and back seat reupholster material quantity

[alexr254]

I am about to tackle this myself. I'm currently shopping around for some decent breathable vinyl.
But i am not quite sure how many yards or square feet i should get. To do both the front and back seats, and the door panels.
Anyone have any idea on how much material I should be looking at getting?

 

[Dericsh]

That’s a good question for our resident interior specialist @Widgmaster

 

[streetraceboi]

@Widgmaster. Sensei you are called upon

 

[alexr254]

Thanks for any info. Didn’t know a sensei was around

I do plan on getting a little more then needed. But I just can’t calculate what I need myself accurately.
The seats are all stock. Front and back.
For the panels I’m just thinking about reupholstering the small cloth parts.

 

[DogWhistle]

Several have been talking with @Widgmaster about reupholstery. He recently contacted Katskin out of CA and they offer upholstery for the 2G in both leather and vinyl. He will probably chime in soon, but it may be cheaper to buy the premade skins.

We are switching to vinyl instead of leather. Especially in a convertible, the sun hardens the leather so it feels lime you’re riding on a board. Vinyl stays flexible.

 

[Widgmaster]

You will need 5 yards for the front seats...2 1/2 for the rear and 1 to reskin the door panels. You said you want extra so just get 10 yards.
Be aware that there are different grades of vinyl. Vinyl to redo your kitchen chair would not last a week in a car. The material you are looking for is called Sierra... that is automotive vinyl. You could also use marine quality material . You said you are about to tackle this job yourself. If you have no previous experience doing upholstery I strongly suggest buying premade from Katskiz or go to your local upholsterer. It took me 45 years to know what I know and if you think this is something you can just do...Are you thinking you can sew this up on a domestic sewing machine? You will break that machine. You need an industrial...
Save your money and time and get it done by a professional. BUT...if you insist on doing it yourself please promise to return with pictures of the results.

https://katzkin.com/?msclkid=47fd0ec4b64511ecae88294dc39d902d

This is what 45 years in the trade can do.
2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT Custom

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This is me sitting down on the job...or sitting in the job. 1955 Ford Crown Victoria

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[alexr254]

Thank you for the info!
I said myself but actually my father. Who is in his 70s and has been doing this for just as long as you (if not longer).
He is retired for over a decade. So no longer has his commercial contacts. The local places he used to buy materials from won’t sell to non commercial.

He tasked me with getting materials but he will be doing the stitching and sewing.
Not me.
Would you happen to know a good place online to buy the vinyl from?
I really do not want to go with seat covers.

I’ll definitely return with pictures.

Here is some of the paint job we just did ourselves

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[Dericsh]

Katzkin does actually replace the oem seat cover. It’s not like a seat cover-cover that goes on top like you would get at auto zone. It’s the real deal and I’m sure your dad would appreciate you saving him a lot of trouble. I wish they made some for 1Gs because i would be all over it.

Love the paint job. Great job for a diy!

 

[Widgmaster]

Your dad is the same age as me. I am not familiar with any supply companies in the Florida area. Do you have a Joann Fabric nearby? Another thought would be to go to another upholstery shop ... see if they remember your dad... They may give you a discount when you tell them your pops going to redo your interior. I live in Canada ... I am also retired but can still buy wholesale. Best of luck with your search.
@Dericsh is correct...Katzkin is a replacement cover ... you remove the old and on with the new... your dad should know this. Have your dad take a look at the site below...This is a variety of different work I have done.

Larry Clarke (widgmaster) — ImgBB

Custom Leather Seat Covers, Leather Seats, & Interiors | Katzkin

Welcome to Katzkin, the world leader in leather seat covers. Transforming your car with custom automotive interiors is Fast and Affordable.

katzkin.com

 

[alexr254]

Went to the katzkin website and they don’t list the 2G eclipse.
I’ll try contacting them. All options are still on the table.

Thanks

 

[TheDude236]

Went to the katzkin website and they don’t list the 2G eclipse.
I’ll try contacting them. All options are still on the table.

Thanks

Someone else had this problem as well fairly recently, but it was cleared up after they gave them a call. I also believe @Widgmaster might have a direct line of contact with them iirc.

 

[alexr254]

I called katzkin and they do not have anything for eclipse spyder except for 2007 and newer.

 

[Widgmaster]

Whoever you were talking to is wrong... They do have covers for the 2G Eclipse from 95 to 99..They have a pattern for the RS...GT and GTS... If you can hold tight I will post the personal contact number of the person you need to speak to. She is sending me her working hours and personal phone number to reach her. They have real leather...leather-look Vynil and body cloth... It's all up to you to design what you want and they will make it. Will post the info as soon as I receive it.

 

[Widgmaster]

Okay, Guys... I got the information about seat skins...
You can Email any questions to.... [email protected]
Lorena's direct connect 323 720 8804
Her hours of work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8.30 AM to 2.30 PM
2cd and 4th Saturday of each month 8AM to Noon

Lorena will let you know what is available......Happy shopping....

 

[Widgmaster]

So, is anyone going to call with this new information?

 

[alexr254]

Yes i will call them. Thanks!

 

[alexr254]

I think we’re going to go a local upholstery supplier and just get the material we need and do it ourselves.
Katskinz looks great but I’m having a hard time finding what I need there, plus everyone I spoke to there and I called 4x now said they don’t have the back seat skin. Plus getting matching upholstery for the door panels will be a nightmare:
And I couldn’t get a price. The idea is solid but execution is dodgy.

Anyway I appreciate the help. All the info we really needed was the amount of upholstery we need to diy. And thanks for that info!!

 

[Widgmaster]

I am a bit confused. You say your dad is 70 and has been doing upholstery longer than I have but yet you need to ask how much material is needed for this job. Sounds a bit fishy to me. I don't care how many times you called Katzkin... did you call the number I posted. Go on their website and look at all the different materials they have. Choose what you want and call
You can Email any questions to.... [email protected]
Lorena's direct connect 323 720 8804
Her hours of work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8.30 AM to 2.30 PM
2cd and 4th Saturday of each month 8AM to Noon
Lorena will let you know what is available......Happy shopping....

 

[alexr254]

He asked me to get materials. I have no experience. All I asked for is the amount of materials needed. I didn’t ask for anything else.
What sounds fishy to you or not does not matter to me.
Idk what you got going on with that company. I’m simply not going to use them.
He wants to do the sewing himself.
Have a great day!

 

[Widgmaster]

I use to be an installer for that company but not anymore. I do not get anything from them for mentioning their product. This was something I brought to the attention of all members to help in their search for a new interior. Sorry if I touch a nerve with you but I was just confused why your dad never told you the amount of material you need. Best of luck with your job.

 

[alexr254]

No nerve struck.
Just semi pushy on selling that company.
And somewhat accusatory for insinuating I am lying about my fathers age and experience.
For what reason would anyone make something like that up on an online forum, or anywhere else for that matter? I can’t think of one.

Why would it even matter if he (or I) has experience or not?
If it’s something we want to do we will regardless of that fact.

My father fyi is 73 years old. He is retired. He had done many things in his life. I do (and have done) many projects with him. This car is just one of them.

And it’s not just the upholstery.
We removed the engine and did a balance shaft delete while also replacing the timing belt.
We painted the car. (See images above)
We replaced the rag-top.
Etc…

We literally built a 1978’Jeep CJ7 from the frame up. Including making all body panels from recycled street signs and welding them all together. Making our own gas lines and brake lines. Rebuilding the transmission and transfer case.
He literally made the entire wiring harness for the CJ from scratch using a fuse block from a completely different car.
Etc…
We have done many projects like this.

So if my father says he has experience with upholstery I have no reason to doubt him.

As stated earlier I only asked for one thing. The amount of material needed for this specific car, including back seats and door panels. Because I was tasked to get the materials without any additional information. Something I have never done before.
It’s possible he did not tell me the amount because he never did this car before. And simply is not sure. But I don’t question him.

Thanks again for answering. Now I know to get ~10 yards.

 

[Widgmaster]

Sorry if I upset you.
If you are also doing the door panels you will need either Sem Coat or Colorbond to redo the plastic part of the panel.
Sem Coat https://www.semproducts.com/product/classic-coattm
Colorbond https://www.colorbondpaint.com/coll...ucts/leather-vinyl-hard-plastic-refinisher-11

 

[alexr254]

Thanks for the tip.
Im honestly not upset. But do see how my posts can portray that.

I’ll look into those products. But we kind of decided to leave the plastic part of the door panel as is since the rest of the car interior plastic trim is the same color. And it’s a lot of work to paint it all.
Most likely we’re just going to replace the cloth to the same material/color we use on the seats.

I did find a local upholstery supplier shop that has lots of choices. I feel better about choosing and buying in person.

 

[IHeartMyHonda]

Fwiw, I have katzkin in my Armada and it looks, feels, and holds up just like factory leather. Strongly recommended.

 

[alexr254]

If they can do the back seat and I can also get matching material for the door panel plus the price is reasonable - katskin looks like the best way to go.