57 replies to this topic

[Kevin Leclair]

Looks supurb, excellent job!

[tiggerman]

I looked into the paint too but decided to replace the vinyl. The top part of the seats had become sticky- I don't know why- maybe from something that the previous owner had put on them. It was like the vinyl was breaking down. I used some of the 3M Vinyl Cleaner & Protectant on them, but they stayed sticky. SO, I just decided to go the replacement route. What I did was 'estimate' the measurement on the bottom seat pads, and just fold and stretch and staple.
The top covers were a bit different. I took them off, ripped the seams, and just traced the pattern to my new vinyl. After that, I simply put a #18 Jeans needle in the sewing machine, got some 100% nylon upholstery thread, and went to town!
I made the initial stich all the way around the cover. Then, like the OEM cover, I turned the hem down toward the back of the seat and stitched it again. Double stitched. Just like the real thing. Fits like the real thing too. The old cover had a piece of padding stitched into the front of the cover- I simply laid it on the foam and put the cover over it to hold it. Only difference in my covers and the originals is no 'Doo logo. But I can live with it. Best difference in mine and the new ones is the COST! $58 for vinyl, $2 for a spool of thread, and $3 for the Monel staples I used. Compare to what the dealer or www.worldofpowersports.com wants for replacement covers. If you can afford them, go for it. I couldn't, so I did it myself.
If you like, I can send you a swatch of this yellow so you can compare it to yours.
My seats were so faded it was hard to really tell until found some spots that hadn't been exposed. The vinyl matches the yellow in my graphics perfectly.

[tiggerman]

Looks supurb, excellent job!

Thanks Kevin! I tried!
Secord: could that paint be used on anything other than vinyl? I'm trying to find something to paint the plastic hatch in front of the driver. It, too, is yellow and faded from neglect.

[secord]

Not sure how it would work for you. I know we used it on the plastic side shields of the automotive seats, when they would get scratched, etc.

If you would like to try it, I can ship a can of it to you.

[tiggerman]

Did you try it on your vinyl yet? I'm thinking that if you guys sprayed it on the plastic seat panels, that it should work on my cockpit lid. ABS is ABS, right?

[poprbear]

Please let me know also how the spray paint works on the the seats. The seats in my 99 are also yellow and look like very over ripe bananas. Big brown spots all over them.


Thanks
John

[tiggerman]

I figure the brown coloring comes from algae and mildew that grow under the vinyl. I found that my seats held water from last season. When I removed the covers, the foam at the bottom of the seat was soaked. My vinyl was so faded, it was like a 'pastel' color around the tops, as well as the brown, dirty appearance. It was also sticky, like adhesive was sprayed on it.

[poprbear]

I thought the brown spots could be from sun tanning lotions and then baked into the vinyl by the sun. My seats are not tacky at all. The rest of the boat looks soooo nice except for the yellow/ brown spotted seats. The backs are not bad, mostly on the bottom cushions.

John

[tiggerman]

It was all on the tops of my seat backs.... the bottoms were just rotten from being wet all the time.

[secord]

Yes, over-ripe bananas.

My '99 has the brown spots as well. They are mainly on the two rear seat cushions, that are not only snapped and velcroed in place, but also held in with a metal strap and (2) 1/4" pop rivets. I think the previous owner never removed these seats, so they are much worse than the front.

I tried the paint, on the underside flap of one of them this weekend.

It is a much brighter yellow than what my seats are now. They have turned to an almost yellowish-green from fading. The paint seems to be the answer at this time. I did not have alot of time to spend on them, but I wanted to just hit the underside to see how it would work. Not sure how it will hold up through the summer when it sees water, suntan lotion, kids feet, and swimsuits rubbing on them, but from what I can tell right now, it looks like it will work out.

The boat is in Northern Michigan at a dealer getting the hull worked on, , and the seats and paint are up there as well. I will not be back up there until the 1st of May, but will paint the entire cushion at that time, and post some pics.

Frank

[tiggerman]

Very good. Anxious to see the results. There must be something you can put on the painted seat- some sort of protectant. I bought some 3M Vinyl Cleaner and Protectant to use on my new vinyl, so the seats don't get in the same shape they were in. Got them wet this weekend, and water beaded like they were waxed!
Seadoo believed in the use of rivets, my back cushions were riveted to the main seat frame too.
Good luck with the hull repair!!!!

[poprbear]

Could you give me the phone number or web address of the company you bought the yellow cans of spray paint from. I would like to give the simply method a try first. Good luck on your seats.

John

[tiggerman]

Here was my finished product installed in the Speedster

Attached Files

•  seal_carrier_055.jpg   39.18KB   229 downloads

[Kevin Leclair]

Man that looks awesome!

[tiggerman]

Well thanks! I forgot I hadn't put a pic up yet after I got it reinstalled....

[tiggerman]

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

Attached Files

•  seal_carrier_089.jpg   143.83KB   146 downloads

[Kevin Leclair]

Looking good!

[cAn'T sWim]

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!!!

[tiggerman]

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!!!

I never leave my boat in the water- I live close enough to trailer it back and forth to the launch. I do rinse it out and wash it off everytime I use it.
The wiring for the depth/fish/temp finders will vary always for which kind you get.
Holes will be drilled most everytime, unless you decide to go with a thru hull sounder. Then I'm not sure about how it would do temperature without an in the water sensor. I know drilling holes in a boat goes against everything I hold dear... but I did it. My sounder is a transom mount, and everything went thru the transom. I did seal it quite well, and the kit comes with an escutcheon plate to hide the hole.
Lastly, the 3M product I use seems to be a water repellent as well as a cleaner and conditioner. It certainly beads up the water!... What spray do you have in mind?
Thanks for the compliments on my work.... I am almost done with all the work, and will be able to concentrate on the play portion.......

[poprbear]

Here was my finished product installed in the Speedster

tiggerman from your photo the seats look like new again. You did a fabulous job. Could you PLEASE tell me where I can purchase the same spray paint and color that you used on your seats. I would love to give it a try on mine.

Again GREAT JOB.

John