Winter upholstery project done
 

Finished installing a L-B upholstery kit in my early (Jan.12th) 1929 60B Briggs leatherback. It took a little over two months working a couple days a week by myself. I took over 50 pictures at verious stages. I was very happy with the results. This is the 2nd L-B kit I've done by myself & the fifth I've helped with. My 29 roadster was much less time consumming then this fordor. I used a tool made by an engineer friend that holds the brads used to attach the upholsterd carboard panels. I liked it so much I made one for myself. It sets the brads so just the head is exposed so the fabric can be pulled over the head & then driven in under the fabric. I also found using a small nail with a head that just fits in windlace keeps the fabric in place & gives a nice finish on the windlace ends. I did find it was necessary to trim almost every panel supplied in the kit. It was a fun project though.

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Very nice job. Just started on my Victoria interior and will be very happy if it turns out as good as yours.

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Nice! good job enjoy!

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Very nice job. Too nice to sit on.

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Very nice job, Perry. I am just starting to install the upholstery in my 28 special coupe. I already have a problem with the headliner. I might give you a call to discuss the headliner problem.
Rusty Nelson

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Sweeeet..... want to come help me with the interior of my truck?

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Terrific job! Gar Williams

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Very nice, good job!!!

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Asapguy,

Can you provide a picture of the tool you made?

Thanks

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Impressive for sure,great job.:D

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Headliner looks great with no kooky looking puckers. That must have been the hardest part?

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Thanks guys, I'll get back tomorrow & show a pic of the tool. I can't take credit for designing it but I made one on my lathe & modified it abit.

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

BEAUTIFUL workmanship!!!....and to think 80 years ago these cars sold NEW for around $500.00..........today everything is plastic foreign made, way too expensive and nothing can compare to the quality of American manufacturing back in those days. All for $500.00

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Beautiful job! What a great looking interior!

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

$500. in 1929 money is worth about $6600. today.
I'd pay $6600 for that type car in a minute wouldn't you?

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Bud here's a couple pictures of the tool for holding the brads. I used small round stock & bored a hole down to about 1" from the end. At the other end where the brad enters & drilled a small hole just slightly larger then the head of the brads. The plunger was made from a carriage bolt with one end turned down to fit into the small hole. The plunger (carriage bolt) has an area turned down so a small screw installed in the barrell will hold the plunger in place but allow it to slide back & forth. With the brad installed just hit the plunger with a tack hammer & the brad is set so the head just shows outside the fabric. Then you pull the fabric over the head with a needle or I used a small spring hook. At this point you can still feel the head of the brad under the fabric but a gentle tap with the tack hammer sets the brad flush with the cardboard & doesn't harm the fabric. I've been going to add a spring which would push the plunger back so another brad could be inserted, but haven't yet. You can also magnetize the end of the plunger to hold the brad in place.

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Very good tool. I wish I'd seen this earlier. I have small holes in the fabric where I nailed a panel. I'm hoping that someday they will shrink and go away. I even took a steame and went lightly around the interior. It did great on any fold marks. Smoothed them out.

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Asapguy; What a beautiful profesional job on your interior. Thanks for sharing and posting the pictures for the brad tool. I'm just starting to install the interior kit on my 28 tudor. What type of tool did you use to trim the boards ? I tried scissors but the boards are too thick?
Thanks
Warren

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Hello Warren, I used some scissors from Chicago Cuttlery. They are heavy duty & I was able to trim as little as 1/16 of an inch if needed. At times it required using two hands to do the cutting. These had a notch for cutting heavy cord. The blades are short & thick, I'm guessing they are some type of a kitchen scissors as they have a bottle opener & a screw driver at the other end. On some straight panels I used a utilillity knife & straight edge.
On the panels that need to trimmed you need to peel back the fabric which has been glued with spray adhesive. After trimming you will need to apply spray adhesive to reattach the fabric. Your going to get it on your fingers. I found spraying WD40 on your fingers removes the adhesive very easily & is gentle on your fingers.

Re: Winter upholstery project done
 

Excellent! Herm.