Three Cheers for SewFine

vanagonforever · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:12 am Post subject: Three Cheers for SewFine

This weekend I finished up my sound deadening install for my front cab, got about half way through installing my new SewFine carpet kit, and got one of my bucket seats reupholstred. All three jobs have been far more time consuming that I was originally anticipating but so far I'm really happy with my results. Hopefully I'll get the rest of cab put back together during this week. Here is a carefully angled shot showing off what I've got so far.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Also, I learned a lot of helpful tidbits while I was installing the new seat cover so as I do the next one I'm going to put together a step by step photo tutorial. It isn't really hard to do but there are a few tidbits here and there that I could have saved a lot of time on if somebody had just shown me beforehand. I'll be doing the second seat this week so I should have the tutorial finished by next weekend.

Thoughts?

guavajelly · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:17 am Post subject:

very sharp!

I look forward to seeing the step by step.

nice work
_________________
65 Karmann Ghia Coupe
83 a/c westy
Past:
71 fastback
66 squareback

cprato · Samba Member Joined: July 05, 2007 Posts: 13

We are getting seat covers for front and back in about 4 weeks, so I would appreciate any tips! Your seat looks great - looking at it makes 4 weeks seem even longer!
_________________
'83 Westy

Raynor Shine · Samba Member Joined: November 07, 2005 Posts: 552

everyone of their products I have seen installed looks killer. Nice work

keithwwalker · Samba Member Joined: May 30, 2005 Posts: 886

Looks sharp!

Did Sewfine also do your door panels?

vanagonforever · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:

No my door panels were stock on an 83.5 Westy. I just removed them, used a scrub brush with simple green, and then armor all'ed them. They started out looking fairly gross but I'm really happy with how they cleaned up.

camo westy · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject:

I'll post some pics of my van soon.

I did my seats 'semi custom' via Sew Fine... and yes they have great service and great products.

Great communication. Good ideas on fixing Vanagon interiors.

Bucket seat recovering is a bit of work. Each seat took an evening. Those freakin tension wires are not one bit of fun, until you are done.
I started with fairly nice seats, just the wrong color. After seat covers, the seats are WAY more comfortable, and much firmer.

SewFine does a great job, use their services, you wont be disappointed.

tsombrero1 · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:41 pm Post subject:

If like me you thrash the tension wires some mechanic's wire from a FLAPS works like a champ.

I pulled the seat upholstery when I bought the van because they were covered in gook and smelled like a combination of nicorette gum and Yoda feet. A couple spins in the front-loader with a dash of bleach made them like new again. It did kill a couple evenings.
_________________
Tennessee Sombrero

1988 Westy, Syncro-nated
2003 Aprilia Caponord (now with Jif)
Atari 2600
1970 Earthbound Humanoid

msinabottle · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject: Here Here

Couldn't agree with you more about Sewfine, their products, and the Werners themselves--lovely people who've done lovely things for the VW community.

You can have another look at the covers they made and installed for me here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=278065

I'm glad that it all worked so well for you!

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

vanagonforever · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject:

After six hours of work this evening I just put my second bucket seat into my freshly carpeted Vanagon. I'm really tired now but can't stop smiling. I did a little drive around the block and I feel like I've got a completely new vehicle. The seats are really comfortable and the front is SO much quieter with the sound deadening in place. I'll have to post some pics tomorrow. I'll also have a full road report after this weekend when I take the ol Westy for the first camping trip of the year. I'll be riding in style.

One thing that I'm especially happy about is springing for the replacement foam for both the back and the seat. The seat foam is really expensive at $100 per seat but it is a major upgrade over what I had in there before. I seriously feel like I've got completely new seats and I suppose in a way I do. This is a huge upgrade over the 24 year old stock seats I was riding with previously.

ss1642 · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject: Carpet Tips

Anytips or secrets on installing your sewfine carpet kit, mine just came and I will be installing it this weekend? Any info would be helpful.

vanagonforever · Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 4:58 am Post subject:

No secret really. I don't know what adhesive you are using but it took me three cans of the Wurth adhesive that they sell at Go Westy so make sure you've got enough. I mention that because I had to order some more during my install which slowed me down quite a bit.

Other than that I'd just say you should make sure that you install the carpet panels in the order that SewFine suggests. Just take your time and it will all work out just fine. I typically placed the piece in for fit and then used the adhesive to attach a few feet at a time. I don't know if that's the best way to do it but I'm happy with my install. The hardest area to do for me was the center under the dash. My kit wasn't cut quite right and I had a hard time getting the carpet to fit well.
_________________
1986 2WD 2.1L WBX Vanagon Weekender
1983.5 1.9L WBX Vanagon Westfalia


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