Q. What's the difference between nylon
and dacron thread .
A. Both threads are synthetic fiber.
Dacron will hold up longer in the weather than nylon. Both threads
are uv treated and will take the sun.
Q. Thread sizes.
A. Dacron is #18 sewing size, Nylon
69 gage, and Nymo type F and EE.
Q. What is fuzzy back vinyl?
A. This is called fleece backed vinyl.
It is not as strong and is used mainly for landau tops and door
panels. The fuzzy back will glue better than the knit back.
Q. What makes my sewn welt buckle and
wavy?
A. You must cut your cloth on the
bias to keep the welt straight. this not necessary for vinyl.
Q. What should I use for outside arms
& backs of furniture?
A. 1/2 foam is very good.
Q. Can I reglue my old headliner back
up?
A. No. You will be spraying new glue
over old glue and it will not hold. It will drop again very soon.
Q. Headliner replacement
A. Glue headliner material to a clean
dry board (no lacquer or solvents). Use only razor blade or wire
brush to clean board. Do not spray glue when the humidity is over
50%. Humidity will mix with the glue and it will not set up properly.
Q. Can I replace broken springs?
A. You should replace all the springs
not just the broken one. The springs that are left are old and
weak and you will be able to feel them thru the padding.
Q. Do you carry vinyl repair kits?
A. We do not carry a kit , only VLP
a vinyl glue that dries clear and welds the tear or patch together
Q. The body side molding that I bought
is coming off my car.
A. Did you use the cleaner and the
adhesive promoter on your job? If not nothing will stick to old
or new paint without it.
Q. Do you have a substitute for chip
board?
A. Panel Board page 102 in catalog.
Q. Horse hair or hog hair.
A. Not used anymore, use felt carpet
pad (page12).
Q.
Bobbin sizes.
A. "A"-3/4 round 7/16
thick, "G"-13/16 round 7/8 thick-, "M"-1
round 7/16 thick.
Q. Fabric dye.
A. Each dye will only work on the
fiber that it is made for. Most auto and furniture fabric are
a blend of different yarns. So unless you know the fabric content
forget it.
Q West coast float.
A. Bonded dacron is called (float)
on the west coast
Q. How much air pressure for air staple
gun?
A. From 25 to 100 lbs. Depending on
how hard the wood.(furniture frames).
Q. How big of an air compressor do
I need to operate air staple guns?
A. 1/4 hp with a 5 gal. tank is sufficient.
You need a regulator to regulate the air pressure to the staple
gun. If youre working with hardwood frames, you can use
80 lbs air pressure to drive the staples in all the way. If youre
in soft wood you can use 20-30 lbs air pressure, so the staples
wont drive thru the fabric.
Q. Hand or electric staple gun.
A. The hand or electric staple gun
virtually has one driver power, and on hard wood the staple has
to be driven in with a hammer. Hand or electric guns are for a
one time job only, not for the upholsterer.
Q. Thread frizzing up in front of
the needle and breaking.
A. There are usually two reasons for
this, one a burr on the hook (from broken needle). Or the machine
is almost out of time. The point of the hook is catching the thread
and cutting some of the strands and eventually all the strands
will be cut.
Q. Size of needle for my sewing machine?
A. If you cant read the numbers
from the side of the needle shank, send us the old one and we
will try and match it.
Q. Correct size thread for my sewing
machine?
A. You can use any size you want as
long as it will go thru the eye of the needle. But to test,hold
the thread vertical with the loose needle . If the needle doesnt
slide down the thread the thread is too big. The bobbin can also
use any size thread, but if the stitches pull top thread to the
bottom sewing surface, you must use smaller thread or loosen bobbin
tension.
Q. Spraying Sem dye?
A. In automotive, clean all surfaces
to be dyed with the (Sem vinyl or plastic prep.) This removes
all the dressing or armorall from the surface. Then use the dye.
Q. Why does landau vinyl top material
have different prices?
A. The manufacturer of regular vinyl
averages the cost out. The manufacturer of landau vinyl charges
extra for dye colors (reds and metalics.)
Q. How thick is your vinyl?
A. Vinyl thickness is gauged by weight
per square yard. Automotive vinyls are from 28 to 32 oz. per square
yard. Industrial commercial and truck vinyl are from 38 to 40
oz. per square yard.
Q. Foam differences?
A. The standard test on foam is density
(how much it weighs per cubic foot) and compression (how much
weight it will hold). The standard test for compression is a piece
of foam 18x18x4, with a 6 disc in center. Weight is added
to the disc example 30lbs. When the disc goes 1 deep into
the foam , that is considered 30lb compression foam.
Q. Is your vinyl fire retardant?
A. Our automotive replacement vinyl
is motor vehicle safety standard # 302. Our original vinyl and
body cloth is the same standard.
Q. Will your vinyl or fabric work in
aircraft interiors?
A. No. Motor vehicle safety standard
#302 will not meet FAA flame retardant standards.
Q. Do you carry fire retardant foam?
A. No, there are too many standards
to go by, such as: California Bulletin 117,section E ,U F A C
class 1, Business & institution furniture manf.assoc. F1-1978
(BIFMA), Motor vehicle safety standard #302, FAA (Dept of transportation,
far 25.853b), Boston fire dept (BFD IX-1)and Federal specification
CCC-A-680a and many more.
Q. What is slip film?
A. Slip film is a thin plastic film,
used in conjunction with (tank type vacuum cleaner or cushion
machine), to shrink foam for stuffing cushions.
Q. Will glue work in my paint gun
or spray gun?
A. It will work in a pressure type
system only. A syphon gun will not work , as the glue will set
up in the gun.
Q. What is volara foam used for?
A. Volara foam is a closed cell foam.
It can be sanded. This is why it can be used on vinyl tops. If
the car is damaged the volara can fill bad spots or can be used
for padding.
Q. What is sunbrella?
A. Sunbrella is 100% solution dyed
acrylic fabric. Warranty is 5 years. Good for boat covers,awnings,
patio furniture. Most any outdoor use.
Q. Is sunbrella water-resistant?
A. Yes, but it will breathe. That is
why it is used for boat covers.
Q. What zipper can I use outdoors?
A. Only use brass or plastic, aluminum
will oxidize and break.
Q. Can I return fabric I just bought?
A. Yes, we will take back any 3yd
or more cut, within 10 days of purchase.
Q. Do you carry foam for making roll
& pleats?
A. Yes, we carry two types of quilt
back foam that can be used for roll and pleat.(remay and muslin
backed foam page 9, of the catalog).