How to Replace Vinyl Upholstery on Boat Seats
- 1). Lift the seat cushion from one seat out of the frame. Turn the cushion over so the plywood base of the cushion is face up. Remove the staples that hold the vinyl upholstery in place on the plywood cushion base by inserting the flat blade of a screwdriver under the staple and twisting. Grasp the staple with pliers and pull it free from the plywood. Remove the old vinyl and the old foam padding from the plywood.
- 2). Lay the sheet of new marine vinyl that will replace the old upholstery face down on a flat surface. Lay the old vinyl face down on top of the new marine vinyl. Trace around the old vinyl upholstery with a pencil. Cut the new marine vinyl along the pencil outline of the old vinyl with scissors.
- 3). Lay the old foam padding on the sheet of new foam padding. Trace the outline of the old padding onto the new padding with chalk. Cut the new padding along the outline. Place a drop of glue in the middle of the plywood cushion base. Press the new foam pad into place on the plywood cushion base. Allow the glue to set.
- 4). Lay the new, trimmed vinyl face on a flat surface. Invert the plywood cushion base and foam and set it on the new marine vinyl. Center the foam on the vinyl.
- 5). Fold one edge of the vinyl upward, onto the plywood cushion base. Staple the edge of the vinyl to the plywood with a heavy-duty stapler. Fold the opposite edge of the vinyl upward, pulling it tight. Staple the edge to the plywood. Repeat until all four edges of the vinyl are stapled to the plywood cushion base. Return the seat cushion to the seat frame.
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