Upholstering Panels With Difficult Curves & Corners Using a 4-Way Stretch Vinyl

Upholstering corners and sharp curves can be tricky. We have some tried-and-true tips and tricks to share with you. The most important tip is to use a four-way stretch vinyl. This type of upholstery vinyl can be pulled and stretched to fit odd shapes and curves — and it’s key to getting the results you want. Another tip: Don’t use staples to attach the vinyl to the backer board. Watch the full video to learn our pro upholstery tricks.

Materials List:
Fabric Backed 1/2" Sew Foam 58" (5 yds.) (Uncompressed) - SKU: 123681-5
3M™ General Trim Spray Adhesive 18.1 oz. - SKU: 73211
EverSoft™ Indoor/Outdoor Teak 54" Vinyl Fabric - SKU: 122218
S-18 All-Purpose Adhesive 8 oz. - SKU: 124193


Tools List:
Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler - SKU: 107040
Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8" - SKU: 101017
Fabric Edge Match Pliers - SKU: 123498
Sailrite® Bakelite Mallet 13 oz. - SKU: 123309

[samspade]

Thanks to your video I just turned a disaster into a Picasso. Just a few tweeks made all the difference. Keep up the good work.

[docmast]

Had to make a new saved video list: Expert DIY. Thank you

[deltajohnny]

This vynil stretches like a balloon! 😍😍

[peglegtoo]

Another great "how to" from Salirite. Thanks for showing us some tricks and that its ok to struggle on difficult panels. That slow cure contact cement looks great. I will definitely be ordering some. .

[robertschulke]

A plastic disc with a small hole in the middle is great for marking lines off of edges. Just stick your pen in the hole and roll it along the edge.

[rikityrik]

This was a great video. I’m not a professional and have only upholstered a few things but the last time on the inside 90° corner I cut away to leave a long tab in the very center it did close it up nicely… didn’t look worth a darn from what I remember but I’m never satisfied with anything I do so🤷 lol
I learned some things here. I like the way you cut a sample board with all the curves in it to show us. Thanks👍

[CrystalClearSQL]

Fabulous tutorial... That was great, well done.

[dpheaslip]

Gotta love the bit around 19:20. Never seen a manufacturer's how to video where they tell you to" back up a little bit, see what you come up with!" I hope their Marketing Department endorses the passive/aggressive style.

[Jim-fexz]

Maybe a tip for those inside square corners would be to make a small radius if at all possible. Another great project! That stretch vinyl looks like a great material to work with. I'm thinking of using it on a car dash pad restoration project.

[chucklenz]

If u leave a small finger of material on the inside transition u could pull the inside material closer to the v and then pull on each side slightly towards the inside v and that portion would look nicer.

[leahhyer]

This video is just great. I have sideboards that I am redoing right now and boards had a long cut out with rounded edges at the ends. This was giving me fits. Now I know how to fix those ends.

[thevjoiners]

Would it be better to do the inside corners first? Am just about to do my very first job and feeling much more confident after watching your video. Thank you!

[jennifersmith]

What are the other types of 4-way stetch fabrics that you sell?

[roberthead]

Hmmm. I am upholstering a boattail 1930 MG with Rexine. I used cotton canvas then batting as underlay ...used 777 and 505. Now wondering if I should contact cement rexine followed by tacks or staples?

[FM-mblu]

My foam is 1 1/2” thick. Making the mark 1/4” from the corner results in the fabric being too short. Is there a way to figure out how deep to make the triangle cuts?

[thevjoiners]

What is that fabric puller called? I’ve been trying to find one but don’t know the right search words

[judyfelz]

Where do you get a fabric puller like the one he’s using in the video?

[platinumroofing]

really having a hard time doing this with a L shape piece that has 4inch thick foam. any help please....