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03-07-2004, 01:04 PM
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#1
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5 rivets, 1 loose screw
1966 20' Globetrotter
Saginaw County
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,555
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Dye worn cushions?
OK, I'll admit up front that I make Eboneezer Scrooge look like a spendthrift, but the cushions in my Caravel are showing definite signs of wear. Rather than selling the farm to pay for pro reupholstery, I'm wondering if they could just be dyed? They are in good shape other than the wear and there are no rips or tears. Maybe just dying them would make them respectable for another 30 years?
There are eight of them and I don't have access to Fort Knox.
Rog
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03-07-2004, 02:01 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,719
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Dye worn cushions?
Greetings Rog!
Quote:
Maybe just dying them would make them respectable for another 30 years?
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This is something that may be worth a try, but there are two possible issues that come to mind. First, if the upholstery (or the thread used in making the covers) is the least bit dry-rotted the moisture involved (as well as chemicals) in most dying processes may shorten the remaining life of the dry-rotted material - - I know that when attempting to dye the drapes in my '64 Overlander back in 1995, all but one pair came out of the process in tatters (the material just basically disintegrated). The other issue with the cushions would be the foam used in their construction - - I suspect that exposure to the chemical in the dyes as well as the water may accellerate any decomposition that likely has already begun - - this process was quite well underway with both my Overlander (new foam in 2002) and Minuet (new foam in 2003) - - in both cases the foam was turning to crumbly dust (the Overlander was fare worse than the Minuet). For the cost involved, the dying process might be worth a try if you are confident that the foam in the cushions and fabric in the upholstery is free of rot.
An altertnative might be custom-made slip-covers which I suspect would be in a cost-range between that of reupholstery and dying processes.
Good luck with your restoration/refurbishment!
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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03-07-2004, 02:31 PM
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#3
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5 rivets, 1 loose screw
1966 20' Globetrotter
Saginaw County
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,555
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Thank you for your input Kevin. Good advice as usual.
I really don't suspect any dry rot, just normal wear over 33 years.
I might try the dye on one of the small side cushions in the dinette.
My goal is to keep everything original and aesthetically pleasant, while not squandering money needlesly.
Rog
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03-07-2004, 03:17 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 258
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fabric spray
You might try an auto parts store for spray colors to color upholstory.....inexpensive and easy....worth a look..lol..jem
__________________
The Silver Buffalo
Saturn with Blue OX towbar
WBCCI # 14067
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03-07-2004, 03:43 PM
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#5
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5 rivets, 1 loose screw
1966 20' Globetrotter
Saginaw County
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,555
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Ty Zduke
The fabric has a flowery pattern and I would like to find a dye or spray that will blend in without covering that pattern.
Maybe some watered down Rit?
Rog
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03-07-2004, 05:50 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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Another issue you may have to deal with is shrinkage. Once you wet them down they most likely will shrink. We thought we could wash our nylon upholstery (which shouldn't shrink) then use it for patterns because it was in good shape, just faded & really dirty...NOPE they shrank and disintegrated.
Cushions
Unless you go with the "spray paint" method zduke suggested, I'm afraid you'd run into the same issues. BTW, our upholstery was 38 years old at the time...different than yours, I know the flowery type you're talking about, but I think the issues will still be the same.
Shari
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03-07-2004, 06:03 PM
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#7
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5 rivets, 1 loose screw
1966 20' Globetrotter
Saginaw County
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,555
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TY for your info Shari
And great job on your cushions. May I be so bold as to ask you what the reupholstery cost?
Thanks,
Rog
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03-07-2004, 06:24 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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No problem Roger...
Being that I am an Interior Designer...I am exposed to a lot of expensive fabrics...this one happened to be one on the upper end! The fabric I purchased at my cost which was $69 per yard, other suitable heavy-duty fabrics can run about $9-15 per yard. That being said, for the Gaucho it was $380 for the fabric (yikes!!! I have expensive taste) and $434 for the labor and new foam. The dinette was a separate project & cost a bit more, because there are more pieces.
I don't regret the money spent we love it and it's worn very well in the two years (approx. 70 nights) we've spent with it.
Shari
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03-07-2004, 11:10 PM
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#9
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Herritt
1973 25' Tradewind
Victoria
, BC
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 28
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Upholstery and Drapes
If you can sew any at all. Do it for you self. Even if you have to buy a new machine it will pay for it self after this one job.
I bargain shopped for my material. It cost me $100.00 cdn for my drapes. Appose to the quotes I found on this fourm for about $600.00 us.
It cost me $200.00 cdn for my upholstery. That was zippers piping, etc. Appose to some rediculious quotes I got around town. My orginial airstream upholstery. is was not orginial with the airstream. The pervious owner had them replaced about 12 years ago. They are in mint condition. I just like the floweral print. I will put them away. May consider selling them. The before pictures of the upholstery can be seen in my photo album
This is what my new upholstery and drapes look like. remember all self made. The complete trailer cost me $300.00 cdn. for all the windows and the fwd dinnette and the rear sofa.
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03-07-2004, 11:28 PM
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#10
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5 rivets, 1 loose screw
1966 20' Globetrotter
Saginaw County
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,555
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very nice photo Herritt
You just gotta love those tradewinds. I owned a '73 but it was a bit long for my needs so I sold it to buy the Caravel.
I wish I could sew but it's just not what guys normally do, although Rosey Greer (former LA Rams player) used needlepoint as a hobby.
My stepdaughter has a fancy sewing machine with all the bells and whistles. Hmm, maybe I should cozy up to her.
Thanks for the idea.
Rog
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03-08-2004, 05:28 AM
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#11
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Just a member
1978 28' Argosy 28
Lutz
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,549
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Roger,
Since you are in Michigan I will offer some free advice. Wait until the Airstream store for international opens in Lansing. They sell off the rolls of fabric for discontinued interiors at 4-5 bucks a yard. I helped some folks measure for redoing their dinette and they purchased 20 yards of this really nice tapestry fabric for 4 bucks a yard. The did not need that much bit it was all the right colors and the price could not be beat.
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
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1978 Argosy 28 foot Motorhome
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
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03-08-2004, 05:41 AM
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#12
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Still Working
1994 36' Classic 36
North Charleston
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,686
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Tried to Dye
Disintergrated to the point I had to shovel the remnants out of the washing machine.
Smily
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03-08-2004, 06:04 AM
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#13
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5 rivets, 1 loose screw
1966 20' Globetrotter
Saginaw County
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,555
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Re: AS store in Lansing
That's great news Brett, first I've heard of it. Are we talking a full service Airstream store? Do you know when they plan to open?
The PO left some matching fabric in the trailer but not nearly enough for all 8 cushions.
Rog
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03-08-2004, 06:33 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2005 22' International CCD
Buckhorn
, Ontario
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,449
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Hi Rog;
Did I see you say sewing is just not a guy thing
Did you know that the first sewers on earth were men! - they sewed the clothes to go on their women But not before they fashioned something for themselves out of wolleymamouth to keep warm.
Come up a bit further in our evolution and the best sewers where the saddle makers of the wild west- hmmmm Men too...
Go for it Rog - if you know your way around a big ol'e engine surely you could tackle a little 1/32 HP with a heck of a lot of torq sewing machine with a precision gas peddle .
Seriously - my Hubbie did not know how to do a stitch in his life - but his goalie equipment needed a bit of help one day - too smelly for my help - no way!!! - so he doned the needle. I then showed him how to use the sewing machine - and he just presses that "gas peddle" and all the holes are quickly sewn up in his long joins.
Okay so I have to thread the machine for him - no big deal. He is than better than I with a staple gun when it comes to upholstering so we work well as a team.
I'm getting all my cushions deep steam cleaned today - keep your fingers crossed - so we will see if they hold up to that. - Really want to get the mold out- So we will see if we will be going all new
Tyr your hand at a small cushion first Rog - see how you do -you just might surprise yourself.
SPK
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03-08-2004, 07:15 AM
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#15
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Just a member
1978 28' Argosy 28
Lutz
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,549
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Roger, The store normally opens before the official rally opening ceremonies. I do not know the dates but I am sure if you call the factory parts department they know what the schedule is.
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
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1978 Argosy 28 foot Motorhome
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
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03-08-2004, 07:26 AM
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#16
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,719
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Dye worn cushions?
Greetings Brett and Rog!
Quote:
Roger, The store normally opens before the official rally opening ceremonies. I do not know the dates but I am sure if you call the factory parts department they know what the schedule is.
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While a call to the factory will get the precise date of the store's opening, the Opening Ceremonies for the International Rally are scheduled for June 28. At the International Rallies that I have attended, the factory tent has opened as early as June 25 (typically one of the first parking dates for Caravans entering the Rally Grounds); but on at least one ocassion wasn't fully operational until the date of Opening Ceremonies.
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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03-08-2004, 07:40 AM
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#17
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5 rivets, 1 loose screw
1966 20' Globetrotter
Saginaw County
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,555
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SPK, I wouldn't know which end of the needle to use. Early men may have sewed but they also seduced their mates with a club. Life was much simpler back then.
I tried to sew a button on a shirt once and all I wound up with was multiple stab wounds. I prefer to stick with the easier stuff like rebuilding an engine.
Good luck with your cushions.
Rog
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03-08-2004, 05:42 PM
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#18
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Herritt
1973 25' Tradewind
Victoria
, BC
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 28
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Thanks for speaking up for me and all other men, GT6921. I just got back from the Middle East after an 8-month tour, I saw many men at sewing machines. Not once did I see a woman sew, over there it is definitely a mans profession.
To bad we are all not so multi talented. For I am an Aircraft Technician. So I change and rebuild aircraft turbine engines, Landing gears, I am also an aircraft electrician. That’s what I do for a living. For fun I love to cook, I host dinner parties at least once a month. I refinish furnisher, upholster, sew etc. Being single is great if you have the–know- how.
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03-09-2004, 01:31 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2005 22' International CCD
Buckhorn
, Ontario
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,449
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If all the talents and wordly experience were put together from this Forum, mix it in with the passion for Airstreams, Travel and Comoraderie - well lets just say - there would be no worries!
Not really coming to anyones defense though Herrit - just teasing Rog cause compared to a big engine a little ole sewing machine might be a bit intimidating
Thank God I have short Hair Rog
PS The cushions survived their deep steam clean, sanitize and deodorize - but the fading and rust stains here and there are just not what we have had in mind - so we have decided to give GT6921- Moon Beam a complete new look Still keeping everything they way it was - just changing the patterns and theme - and of course having a little fun with her too!
SPK
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