Upholstery Tips from the Pros: Part 1
When you’re strolling through a Goodguys event or a local cruise night, what is it that draws you in to take a closer look at a hot rod? Typically, it’s going to be the combination of the paint, stance, and wheels. Or perhaps a detailed engine compartment if the hood is open. One thing is for sure, it is seldom the interior.
But inside a hot rod is where you spend most of your time — or at least it should be. You want to spend most of your time behind the wheel, looking out over the hood and down the road, isn’t that why you built it in the first place? We’ve seen interiors that are nicer than our own living rooms as well as many that remind us of our freshman year dorms.
If you’re going with a restoration on a hot rod, many people opt to leave the interior to the pros, especially when it comes to customer and hand-made door panels, seats, or consoles. When doing a restoration with aftermarket pieces, the project is a lot more user-friendly but even seat covers or headliner installation is kind of a black magic or lost art. When tackled yourself, it will either make you or break you.
With so many options in textiles, seating, consoles, and the overall flavor of your cabin area, we decided to get some tips from several top names in the interior business to find out what they recommend. Whether you’re planning to do it yourself or farm out the work, these professionals have the experience to help you through the planning and finish of your cockpit.
Wayne and Pam McGriff have been stitching hot rod interiors for over 30 years so you can bet they have learned some lessons along the way. The Holly Pond, Alabama, based shop has been featured on a number of TV shows with their work in a number of award-winning rods, including Tammy Ray’s 2010 Ridler-winning ’33 Ford Phaeton, as well as magazine-featured rods.
PLANNING
“Start planning the interior at the start of the build and include the upholsterer from the beginning,” Wayne said. “They can help so much with things like wiring placement, also seat selection and placement of stereo and speakers. We spend a lot of time moving stuff around because it will not work. “Another reason to find an interior shop early in the build is so you don’t have to wait on an appointment. We lose on average a job per week just because people wait until the car is in paint to contact us about the interior. Many shops are 10-12 months out.”
“Start planning the interior at the start of the build and include the upholsterer from the beginning,” Wayne said. “They can help so much with things like wiring placement, also seat selection and placement of stereo and speakers. We spend a lot of time moving stuff around because it will not work. “Another reason to find an interior shop early in the build is so you don’t have to wait on an appointment. We lose on average a job per week just because people wait until the car is in paint to contact us about the interior. Many shops are 10-12 months out.”
- Traditional styling with a little modern flare is what Mike and Janie Braswell were after when Detroit Speed rebuilt their former drag race ’41 Willys. M&M nailed the look with classic black leather.
TRENDS
“Most of the hot rods that we are doing are traditional style or era-correct builds, Pam told us. “We get very few requests for the swoopy billet style interiors, however, when it comes to muscle cars, we’re seeing a lot of more European concepts and styling. These cars are being built for autocross as well as driving events and the owners want seats with high bolsters and a secure fit.”
“Most of the hot rods that we are doing are traditional style or era-correct builds, Pam told us. “We get very few requests for the swoopy billet style interiors, however, when it comes to muscle cars, we’re seeing a lot of more European concepts and styling. These cars are being built for autocross as well as driving events and the owners want seats with high bolsters and a secure fit.”
CARPET
Pam warned about the importance of using a good quality carpet in your project. “We use a lot of German square weave material which is 100% wool and stands up so much better than a lot of other materials. We also use Daytona materials similar to those used in the 1950s Chevys as well as Mercedes velour and Wilton wool.”
Pam warned about the importance of using a good quality carpet in your project. “We use a lot of German square weave material which is 100% wool and stands up so much better than a lot of other materials. We also use Daytona materials similar to those used in the 1950s Chevys as well as Mercedes velour and Wilton wool.”
Ron Mangus, known as “The Stitcher”, has been doing custom work for over 40 years. When he opened his first shop he was still teaching basic and advanced upholstery at San Bernardino Valley College.
Actually, sharing his experience and talent is one thing Ron likes to do. He even told us how happy he was to see so many younger people getting involved in building rods and taking on the demands of being a stitcher.
COLORS
When it comes to choosing colors for the interior, sometimes it goes to the owner, sometimes the builder will assist and in a lot of cases, the verdict comes from the upholsterer. “For me, with my experience, I generally recommend a color combination for the car,” Ron said. “Understanding the color wheel and how colors are made will help you select the right color. You need to know how they got to this color.”
When it comes to choosing colors for the interior, sometimes it goes to the owner, sometimes the builder will assist and in a lot of cases, the verdict comes from the upholsterer. “For me, with my experience, I generally recommend a color combination for the car,” Ron said. “Understanding the color wheel and how colors are made will help you select the right color. You need to know how they got to this color.”
“Also, take into consideration the primer under the paint. Did they use a dark primer or light primer? The same red will look different depending on what’s underneath. Know the color and how they got to it and you won’t go wrong.”
Goodguys had Ron design and build the custom bucket seats, center console, kick, door, and cab panels for the ‘70 G/10 Giveaway truck (built by Scott’s Hot Rods) then cover them in Porsche Tan leather.
PRIMER; THE TIME TO UPHOLSTER
“If you can get in on the ground floor with the builder of the car so you’re in the loop, the process will go much smoother. Getting started on the interior of the car when it is in primer is ideal, but doesn’t happen a lot.
“If you can get in on the ground floor with the builder of the car so you’re in the loop, the process will go much smoother. Getting started on the interior of the car when it is in primer is ideal, but doesn’t happen a lot.
“This allows us to pre-fab without worrying as much about the paint and eases making panels, drilling holes and installing brackets. The entire process goes smoother for the builder, painter and interior crew!”
DIY
“First, you might want to check out my book ‘Custom Interiors’. Seriously, if you’re planning on doing your own work or getting into this field, pay attention to what the veterans have done and then do your own thing. It’s not rocket science, but you can learn a lot from the experienced guys.
“First, you might want to check out my book ‘Custom Interiors’. Seriously, if you’re planning on doing your own work or getting into this field, pay attention to what the veterans have done and then do your own thing. It’s not rocket science, but you can learn a lot from the experienced guys.
“One thing to keep in mind, and it’s become more important over the years, is to make sure that the interior can be disassembled so the owner can get to areas for repairs or maintenance. Plan ahead for the future of the car.”
SHOPPING FOR A SHOP
Finding the right shop to do your interior work is important. “Experience is king,” Ron told us. “Look at the shop. Is it clean and organized with well-kept machinery? Also check out some of their previous work but pay close attention to the details and the final pieces that really stand out and make a difference.
Finding the right shop to do your interior work is important. “Experience is king,” Ron told us. “Look at the shop. Is it clean and organized with well-kept machinery? Also check out some of their previous work but pay close attention to the details and the final pieces that really stand out and make a difference.
Relicate is a one-stop shop for a variety of leathers and high-end suede materials to support all of your material needs when it comes to upholstery. They may not be building the seats or door panels, but they know what materials are hot, what’s coming up and what to use when it comes to street rods and muscle cars.
From custom color matched leathers to Alcantara suede and leather care products, Josh Laird, the company president, understands what it takes to finish and maintain an interior right.
GETTING STARTED
“Just like body/paint, wheels, and drivetrain, plan out your interior in the early stages of the build. Decide whether you want a factory style interior or full custom. Strongly consider getting an interior rendering done by one of the many talented illustrators in our industry. These illustrators can be extremely helpful in bringing your ideas to life. Having a design on paper can be motivation and help a project stay on track.”
“Just like body/paint, wheels, and drivetrain, plan out your interior in the early stages of the build. Decide whether you want a factory style interior or full custom. Strongly consider getting an interior rendering done by one of the many talented illustrators in our industry. These illustrators can be extremely helpful in bringing your ideas to life. Having a design on paper can be motivation and help a project stay on track.”
Diamond stitching will never go out of style. In fact, it continues to be refined such as this example with cowhide suede in a ’69 C/10, by Sew It Seams Interior. (Photo courtesy Anthony Ross Tyler)
TRENDS AND STYLE
“Decorative stitch work is a trend that has been going strong. Diamond stitch patterns are the granddaddy, with many upholsterers taking it to the next level with a myriad of creative, one-off stitch patterns,” Josh explained.
“Decorative stitch work is a trend that has been going strong. Diamond stitch patterns are the granddaddy, with many upholsterers taking it to the next level with a myriad of creative, one-off stitch patterns,” Josh explained.
“Another trend that will stand the test of time is the use of vintage, NOS fabrics used for seat inserts alongside another solid colored material such as vinyl or leather. It’s a great look that can trace back to the era of any vehicle.”
Distressed leather continues to be a hot material for vintage or traditionally flavored rods such as this ’33 Ford coupe stitched by Rip Stitch Upholstery. Also note the use of square weave carpet. (Photo courtesy Anthony Ross Tyler)
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