Winter upholstery project done

[asapguy]

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.

[Richard Wilson]

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

[Brian-NJ]

Nice! good job enjoy!

[glenn in camino]

Very nice job. Too nice to sit on.

[wrndln]

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

[1crosscut]

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

[Aerocraft]

Terrific job! Gar Williams

[Steve Wastler]

Very nice, good job!!!

[BudP]

Asapguy,

Can you provide a picture of the tool you made?

Thanks

[Dana Barlow]

Impressive for sure,great job.

[Great Lakes Greg]

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

[asapguy]

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.

[al's28/33]

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

[CountrySquire55]

Beautiful job! What a great looking interior!

[Buz]

Originally Posted by al's28/33

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

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

[asapguy]

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.

[dfish2931nc]

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.

[warren va]

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

[asapguy]

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.

[Kohnke Rebabbitting]

Excellent! Herm.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by asapguy

Bud here's a couple pictures of the tool for holding the brads.

If you make another i'll buy it!

[Super88]

Very impressive work. My 30 Tudor needs an interior and I will probably purchase the LB kit. Having never done an interior before I hope my results will at least be passable.

[asapguy]

If you don't already have a copy of "How to Restore Model A" Vol 2 get it!!! There is a seven page article with lots of picture about installing a L-B kit in a tudor. They list all the necessary tools & patients is one of the more important ones.

[BudP]

Asapguy,

Like Mike V in Fl, if you make another such tool, I'll be glad to buy it. And, thanks for the pics!

Bud