Automotive Upholstery & Interior Restoration

Book excerpt: After disassembling and gutting your car, it is easy to feel that you're in way over your head when it comes to the upholstery. This is why so many do-it-yourself restorers outsource the work, at considerable expense, to an experienced upholstery shop. Taking the time to acquire the skills for upholstery restoration may feel like a daunting task, but what if an experienced upholsterer presented every skill you needed to restore upholstery yourself? Starting with a list of necessary tools, author Fred Mattson guides you through all the required tasks, including seat restoration; door panel removal, patterning, assembly, and installation; headliner removal and installation; carpet cutting; and even convertible top restoration. The easy-to-follow step-by-step presentation allows for a thorough understanding of all the processes. Every photo in this book provides a hands-on approach that shows you how to repair and restore a car’s interior to concours, show-quality specifications. Other restoration books may show you beautifully restored interiors, but they don't show you how to produce them. This book helps you develop the skills needed with instruction from a professional upholsterer, saving you thousands of dollars over outsourcing the restoration. If you are interested in saving money, doing a complete restoration yourself, or simply want to know how it's done, this book is a handy addition to your automotive library.