Today's project...cuddy remodel.

[TacomaCouple]

Here are the BEFORE pics of the cushions I am remodeling today. After I get them stipped I will be heading out (with the Admiral) seeking new material to put back on.

Man!!!! There are a lot of staples in these things...I guess I need to buy a staple gun today as well...

[bradvo]

Here are the BEFORE pics of the cushions I am remodeling today. After I get them stipped I will be heading out (with the Admiral) seeking new material to put back on.

Man!!!! There are a lot of staples in these things...I guess I need to buy a staple gun today as well...


When doing some headliner repair I borrowed an electric staple gun, the only way to go.

[TacomaCouple]

When doing some headliner repair I borrowed an electric staple gun, the only way to go.

Anyone have one I can borrow?

[TacomaCouple]

Ok, here is what I am now working with. I have these cushions "unwrapped. Should I go ahead and paint or put some sort of mildew resistant stuff on the wood before I cover it all back up with new material???

Next question... Pic #2 shows a different type of material that was covering the actual cushion and wood. I need to know the kind of material it is and where I can get some.

Yes, I am doing my research but thought you folks who like boat remodeling projects might like to know ehere I am on the project and maybe give me some helpful hints as well.

Thanks everyone!!!!

[oh_wells]

This is all interior, right? It could have been an interfacing of some sorts to give the outer fabric more heft or to waterproof the cushions a bit. I do know that our boat doesn't have a layer in between the outer fabric and the cushion. It is just fabric and cushion.

Could it have been the original cushion cover and that the previous owner reupholstered over it?

I wouldn't worry about it, personally. When we go to recover our cushions next winter, we'll probably go with a sunbrella type fabric.

[Pegasis]

I'd coat the wood with polyester resin to help reduce the possibility of rot and mildew as long as you've gone this far in stripping the covers off.

Also when you purchase the staple gun also purchase Monel (sp?) staples.

[TacomaCouple]

I'd coat the wood with polyester resin to help reduce the possibility of rot and mildew as long as you've gone this far in stripping the covers off.

Also when you purchase the staple gun also purchase Monel (sp?) staples.

Great info!!! Thanks...will do.

[TacomaCouple]

I'd coat the wood with polyester resin to help reduce the possibility of rot and mildew as long as you've gone this far in stripping the covers off.

Also when you purchase the staple gun also purchase Monel (sp?) staples.

They should have this stuff at Home Depot, right? I'm off to get the resin, gun and staples.

[Randygh]

TC--Your right, removing staples is a PITA. Been there. If all the staples and fabric remnants are removed from the wood, very lightly sand the wood (just to freshen the surface so it will take a new coat of sealant) with 120 grit sandpaper, wipe with a damp rag and as Pegasis mentioned seal it on all sides with polyester resin. I haven't used polyester resin, but I think a quick-drying polyurethane would work ok too.

The fabric covering over the wood and old cushion is batting. If the foam cushions are ok, just cover them with some new 1/2" thick batting. The batting is readily available at a local fabric shop. Tell the saleslady you need batting to cover your boat's cushions foam pieces. If the existing cushion is rotten, I'd replace it, especially if you plan sleeping in the berth. The best foam is the green upholestry stuff, but if you plan to keep the boat for only several years, the white stuff will be fine. If you replace the foam, use an electric carving knife to cut it to size. Cut the batting so it fits over the top of the foam and wraps around under the bottom of the wood. Then staple the batting and fabric cover to the wood.

[TacomaCouple]

TC--Your right, removing staples is a PITA. Been there. If all the staples and fabric remnants are removed from the wood, very lightly sand the wood (just to freshen the surface so it will take a new coat of sealant) with 120 grit sandpaper, wipe with a damp rag and as Pegasis mentioned seal it on all sides with polyester resin. I haven't used polyester resin, but I think a quick-drying polyurethane would work ok too.

The fabric covering over the wood and old cushion is batting. If the foam cushions are ok, just cover them with some new 1/2" thick batting. The batting is readily available at a local fabric shop. Tell the saleslady you need batting to cover your boat's cushions foam pieces. If the existing cushion is rotten, I'd replace it, especially if you plan sleeping in the berth. The best foam is the green upholestry stuff, but if you plan to keep the boat for only several years, the white stuff will be fine. If you replace the foam, use an electric carving knife to cut it to size. Cut the batting so it fits over the top of the foam and wraps around under the bottom of the wood. Then staple the batting and fabric cover to the wood.

Will do....thanks!!

[TacomaCouple]

Supplies...

Here are the supplies I picked up. Anyone used them before?

They take 4 days to cure so I can't put the cushions and new material on until the weekend. That gives the Admiral time to pick out the new material.

[bradvo]

No disrespect to the member who suggested epoxy , but if this is all interior work and the wood was already in decent shape I would have just encapsulated the wood with a good paint product , mainly to get mold smell out, then I would have bought the electric staple gun , you have to really bunch up them staples to get a good fit and finish.
Plus that epoxy after it hardens could be a bugger to drive staples in. Your hand is dead meat with that manual model.
Looking forward to seeing the finished product, your learning the Labor of love with Boat ownership.

[TacomaCouple]

No disrespect to the member who suggested epoxy , but if this is all interior work and the wood was already in decent shape I would have just encapsulated the wood with a good paint product , mainly to get mold smell out, then I would have bought the electric staple gun , you have to really bunch up them staples to get a good fit and finish.
Plus that epoxy after it hardens could be a bugger to drive staples in. Your hand is dead meat with that manual model.
Looking forward to seeing the finished product, your learning the Labor of love with Boat ownership.

We just discussed this project and decided a couple things:

The cushions are in great condition...no need to replace.

The wood is moldless amd no mildew and appears to be sealed as well in very nice shape. We might just go with new material.

[Go Aweigh2452]

If you do decide to go the new material route, make sure you buy stainless steel staples. They cost a bit more (Home Depot or other box store) but you will be happy a lot longer...

[voyager]

Slap a coat of Kiltz paint on the wood. It is formulated to block mold, stains etc. You will only need about a quart it is available at any Home Depot.

[TacomaCouple]

Oh, yes, new paint has been applied and I have the Monel stapels as well. I'm ready.

[Nehalennia]

Good call on the Monel Staples, but Like Bradvo stated the electric stapler will save your Beer opening hand. Not sure if you want or can exchange it but the monel staples are a good choice.

Also, I think a fresh coat of exterior paint on your plywood should suffice instead of the epoxy covering. That may be overkill.

Best of luck.
Let's see the finished product.

[TacomaCouple]

Today I took the cushions and plywood boards to Best Foam and Fabric Outlet in Tacoma...showed them my whole project and they think I'm heading in the right direction and the finished product will look nice. The admiral picked out the material and I am going to see if I can exchange the stapler for an electric one before I begin. My arm and hand or still not right after pulling all those staples by hand on Tuesday!!!!

I'll post the finished product when done.

[Play N Hookie II]

I wish I had a month off to enjoy boat frustration. I am jealous.

[Nehalennia]

Today I took the cushions and plywood boards to Best Foam and Fabric Outlet in Tacoma...showed them my whole project and they think I'm heading in the right direction and the finished product will look nice. The admiral picked out the material and I am going to see if I can exchange the stapler for an electric one before I begin. My arm and hand or still not right after pulling all those staples by hand on Tuesday!!!!

I'll post the finished product when done.

Well hurry up because I expect you to be in that thing and meet up with us on Saturday.

[TacomaCouple]

Well hurry up because I expect you to be in that thing and meet up with us on Saturday.

As long as I can figure out which wire goes to which battery we will be there...

[Nehalennia]

As long as I can figure out which wire goes to which battery we will be there...

Does it run the way it is now? If so just bring it down I'll show you.

or
Perko Batt Switch instructions (http://gator49.hostgator.com/~zeromyst/catalog/images/Fig.%208603%20Inst.pdf)

[Randygh]

TC--If your boat runs, take Todd's offer and have him give you a hand. The only thing more fun than working on your boat is working on someone else's boat. Also, the electric stapler is really a gizmo compared to the handpowered model. Well worth the few extra dollars and your job will go faster and look better. If your cushions are good, I highly recommend new batting. Cheap stuff and the finished product will be more comfortable and look better. Looking forward to your picts!!!

[TacomaCouple]

Here is an update...

The Admiral and I worked on the final parts of the duddy cushion project today. Here are the results...

[TacomaCouple]

More pics...

[Go Aweigh2452]

Very nice... Looks really nice... Looking forward to seeing her up close...

[TacomaCouple]

Very nice... Looks really nice... Looking forward to seeing her up close...

Thanks. We are real happy with it. Very comfy!!!

[Randygh]

You and the Admiral did a great job! Looks better than new. I like the choice of the fabric.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Thanks. We are real happy with it. Very comfy!!!

Speaking of comfy, we stuffed an additional 1.5 inch of memory foam inside the cover in our forward berth and that was just the ticket to make the bed so much more comfortable. No more back aches in the AM...

[Randygh]

We did the same as Doug and Lea. We picked up a 1 1/2" memory foam pad at Costco, cut it to size and layed it ontop of the berth foam pads. I purchased some flannel sheets, cut to size and shape, and sewed some elastic straps on the corners to hold them in place. Also, I sewed the top sheet to the bottom sheet down at the foot of the birth. Even the Admiral can really saw logs, along with the dog.

[oh_wells]

It looks great!

I will have to keep the memory foam thing in mind when we redo our upholstery. For the time being, we have a down mattress in our berth. Only problem is it is rectangular and the berth isn't. Neither is the bedding though, so not really a big deal.

[Play N Hookie II]

More pics...

Great work!!

[TacomaCouple]

Great work!!

Thanks...we have great team work!!!