If your boat seats are looking worn out, you should think about replacing the marine upholstery. In general, upholstery designed for use in boats is quite tough and will provide good service for a long time. However, constant exposure to sunlight, moisture and other adverse elements can cause significant damage to the seats. Fortunately, it is rarely necessary to replace the entire seat and its components. If you would like to improve the interior surfaces of your boat, you will often only need to install new covers. Here are some simple steps to help you navigate the marine upholstery replacement process.
Remove the Old Material
The first step for improving your upholstery is removing the old boat seat covers. This process is fairly simple. You will only need to locate the staples attaching the covers to the underlying cushion. If you intend to reuse the foam, you must be cautious. Remove the staples without tearing or deforming the cushion. It is advisable to take note of how the covers are placed over the cushions if you intend to undertake the entire project without professional help.
Inspect the Exposed Foam
You should inspect the condition of the underlying foam after removal of the cover. This is essential if you are looking to reduce your total expenses by reusing most of the old materials. If your cushion was well-protected from the elements, it will be possible to achieve good results simply by re-covering the seat with a suitable product. However, if you notice signs of deterioration like mould, general water damage and foam sagging, you might want to replace the foam before proceeding with your work.
Prepare the Upholstery
It is important to prepare appropriate materials for installing over your boat seats. The right upholstery should provide protection to the internal seat components and at the same time ensure personal comfort and improve the aesthetics of the boat interior. If you are a DIY enthusiast, you can purchase marine-grade upholstery vinyl. Then, you can use the material to prepare suitable covers. However, there are some prefabricated upholstery products available from specialist dealers.
Seal the Completed Unit
Finally, you should place the vinyl over your boat seats and staple them before sealing. If you have non-marine-grade foam in your vessel, it is advisable to use a plastic sheet for coverage before installing the vinyl. This will provide additional protection against moisture. Where possible, seal the vinyl covers over your cushions through heat treatment for maximum security. However, if this is too expensive, you can seal the seams using vinyl cement.
Contact a company that offers marine services to learn more.
Share