57 replies to this topic

[tiggerman]

Thanks John! The reason they look like that is because it is new vinyl, not paint. The yellow vinyl is new anyway, The silver/gray is just cleaned and conditioned. I never heard or saw anything else about the paint.
I purchased my vinyl from jcupholstery on eBay. Do a search for marine vinyl.
I took the covers off, took them apart, drew patterns, cut them out, and had my mom-in-law sew them on the machine. They are double stitched at the seams, and aren't coming apart anytime soon.

[poprbear]

tiggerman, sorry it's been a long hard couple of weeks at work. My mind is shot. I got the two posting mixed up. They really came out nice. You were able to use a regular sewing machine to put the stiches in the vinyl? I would have thought you would need a commerical machine.
It's getting to close to boating season now for me to try something like you did. I still have not tried out my boat. I am hoping to try it out this Thursday with a friend of mine. Looks like the weather will be sunny and around 70. Any advise for my first time out?

John

[tiggerman]

My only advice is check out your DOO well before you get to the water. Make sure it starts before you ever leave home. If it was winterized, crank it up with the hosepipe connected and run it a few minutes to blow out the fogging oil from the winter. Oh yeah, HAVE FUN once you get on the water.
This vinyl is easy to sew on a home machine. All you need is a #18 Jeans needle (for sewing denim, it is very sharp) and the correct thread. And a wonderful mother in law to do it!!! It worked like a charm. Once the seats are out, if you have all the materials on hand it should only take a couple evenings to get the job done.
The hardest part was getting the seat out. I don't know what it would be like on your '99.

[secord]

Piece of cake on the fronts. They are just held in with velcro. The rear backs are the same way. My rear cushions are held in with pop rivets and a metal strap.

[tiggerman]

Is the vinyl stapled on a plastic frame? Then the hardest part is taking the covers apart and drawing the patterns. Cut the material to match the pattern, then find a seamstress. We sewed the first seam about a 1/4 inch from the edge of the material, then turned the cover over where we could sew from the outside of the cover. We turned the 1/4" seam to the rear of the cover and stitched it again. Just like the real thing.

[tiggerman]

Better picture of my seats after my handiwork Sorry for the grainy look: wife dropped my camera on the concrete...

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[Kevin Leclair]

Looks better and better every picture I see.

[fialoe]

Hey Tiggerman, how are your seats holding out now. It must be ages since you did them. Did they hold up?

[tiggerman]

Hey Tiggerman, how are your seats holding out now. It must be ages since you did them. Did they hold up?

They held up great the remainder of the time I kept the Speedster. I sold it a year or so back, but I'm sure if the new owner has taken care of the boat, the seats are in great shape.

[Kevin Leclair]

Anyone looking for seat backs, http://cgi.ebay.com/...em=320201562697?

[Jesse Campbell]

Anyone looking for seat backs, http://cgi.ebay.com/...em=320201562697?

Well at least somebody thought it was a good deal

[Frayed Knot]

Okay...I have a few questions and comments.

First, I have used the Vinyl paint on a few different projects with amazing results. None of which were exposed to excessive water or stress. However, I do think it would be OK..... You couldn't even tell it was painted vinyl when I was done. I did put on a few coats, white over black. I also bought some canned colour paint to add some detail into the embedded wording on the vinyl. When I was done, everyone was asking me to do it for them. This one was on a tank bra for a GSXR and had the words GSXR on it, which I matched to the colour on the bike. It looked awesome and looked original.

Next.... Do you guys cover your boats when you take them out of the water? Do you take them out of the water everytime? Do you wash down the inside and outside (almost) everytime?

Where and how do you run the wiring for the Depth, Temp, and Fish finders?? Do you need to drill holes?

Lastly, is there a specific product such as the 3M mentioned for Vinyl Seats etc..?? What do you think about a water repellent spray??

Good job Tiggerman.....Its nice to see things turn out well when you do it yourself!!!

3m cleaner and conditioner is avaible at Canadian Tire believe it or not, works great.

[Rave1]

I did mine this winter. Used monel staples, got the darts from auto zone.

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[Kevin Leclair]

Great job, looks great!

[SeaDoo Challenger 99]

Does anyone know how many yards to do the entire job for 1999 Challenger 1800 would take? (3 bow seats, backrest for bow, two cap. seats, back bench seat, backrest for bench seat, sun deck, sun deck trim piece, arm rest for both sides, and the side pieces beside the back bench seat)

Also, my boat is green and white vinyl. I have thought about doing it all back white vinyl with green stiching and possibly marine piping that my grandmother showed me. She used do alot RVs and Boats back in the day. Does anyone have any experience or comments with it being all white?!?!? I know it will be a lot cooler than that green vinyl... ouch!

Thanks
Jimmy

And any rec. on air stapler. I have looked a little bit but didnt know if theres certain one I should look for or size... and what size staples should i use?

[Rave1]

There was an online company offering Monel staples and the airgun[$34.00],I had a better idea so I when to harbor freight bought the $20.00 model,then bought the monels[50`s] from lowes. Wouldn`t work in gun so I bought a B&D electric gun but it didn`t have enough power to pen the dense plastic Doo frame. So I used a hand gun,wouldn`t recommend unless your like me and have vise grips for hands.Soo I would search Monel on the web and fine that $34.00 gun,you`ll thank yourself

[Kellyjames]

Oh yeah, here is the Humminbird after installation.....

I have the same seats and was wondering if you knew how to get the bottom seats out?? The little middle pads are rotted and have a few holes in them!

Thanks

[Tzvetomir Goranov]

I have the same seats and was wondering if you knew how to get the bottom seats out?? The little middle pads are rotted and have a few holes in them!

Thanks

Once you take the stern bench off the boat, turn it upside down and you'll see the center pads have 4 rivets holding them to the bench. Drill holes in the rivets and they will fall off. Once you put the new vinyl, use bigger rivets or drill new holes.
I got my new upholstery here: www.zz-autogroup.com
They do most of the Sea-Doo boats and skis.
It was really easy to install it and it looks great.
If you have any question regarding the seats and installation will be happy to help.

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