Question on seat cushion construction

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Today I toured the central Piedmont of North and South Carolina picking up furniture for my retail store and my cushions for my boat. I was hurries today.. left the house at 7 AM and returned around 9 PM. I brought my new cushions inside and I noticed the upholstery shop did not use piping on the seams . I replaced my cockpit cushions and fishbox cushions and stern seat cushions a couple years ago with Grady seat cushions. All of those have piping . I replaced my bolsters, stern seat backs and the seat back on the port side fish box seat. I am disappointed that I did not catch this before I left their shop today. I am also disappointed in myself for not being specific when I dropped off the OEM bolsters and ask the question will you make them identical? I own these mistakes. I also trusted the Grady dealer in Columbia when they recommended this shop.

So, when reupholstering a seat cushion is using the piping mean a better built cushion versus a cushion that is double stitched with flat seams? I think you get more thread exposed when you don't use piping which is not good. They use a sun resistant polyester thread . I asked about Goretex threads. Their equipment is damaged by it.

I will be talking to them tomorrow to see if there is anything that can be done. The over all work is done well . The staples are monnell . The vinyl matches and the double stitched seams are solid , even and for what they are, they are nice. I just don't want them to fall apart. The price was reasonable versus buying OEM replacement cushions. Grady said they couldn't guarantee fit even though they still make my boat. I was tempted buying factory bolsters .

So, what say you on the piping versus double stitched in terms of wear and durability of the seam?

 

[Parthery]

Pics please. Is it real obvious?

 

[Ky Grady]

Naked without the piping.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

My question is not necessarily about aestthetics but about durability. A good deal or fair price doesn't mean much if they fall apart quickly.

 

[Legend]

My seats have piping but my OEM bolsters do not have piping. Aside from looking different they seem pretty well constructed with the stitching. Not sure about the durability though?

 

[seasick]

The piping doesn't necessarily aid durability. That depends on many things like quality of material, types of material (thread quality and size) care and maintenance.
The worst thing for cushions is the sun first, poor maintenance next and over aggressive cleaning . other than removing cushions when not used which is not doable for bolsters, there isn't much you can do about the sun except for routine treatment with a protectorant.
Harsh cleaners can damage the materials I watch those magic erasers) The sun will degrade polyester thread over time and some chemicals will cause thread to degrade so don't go nuts with strong cleaners.
To a small degree, the piping can increase the dirt trapping since it adds another crevice for dirt to get into.
By the way, thread like Tenera is soooo expensive and much more difficult to work with. It is cmmlon for sails and the like but not so much for upholstery.

 

[Parthery]

They look good to me, but I get your desire to sweat the details.

I'd like to call these guys about new fishbox seat cushions and seat back bolsters for the bow. Can you either post, or PM me the contact info?

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Nordans Trim Shop in Columbia,SC. Mid Carolina Marine referred me to them as they use them. 803-794-0209 The work is actually done well. The vinyl matches and I paid $150 for the stern seats ,$150 for the port fish box seat and $175 for the bolsters. The price was very good.

I am sweating the detail here. I don't think anybody will notice ,but I will. Lol.

 

[trapper]

Smokey, it does appear to be a good job of stitching construction....very tidy! I agree with seasick, just anther place to trap dirt and another spot to scrub. I do not believe piping will influence the longevity of the cushions if they are cared for properly. I clean mine twice a season then polish with 303 Aerospace protectant. Going on 14 years and still look great.

 

[seasick]

Smokey, it does appear to be a good job of stitching construction....very tidy! I agree with seasick, just anther place to trap dirt and another spot to scrub. I do not believe piping will influence the longevity of the cushions if they are cared for properly. I clean mine twice a season then polish with 303 Aerospace protectant. Going on 14 years and still look great.

I also used 303. It does work very well and is worth its price. I am not however as diligent with the routine cleaning and treatment as you are

 

[TonyD]

Nordans Trim Shop in Columbia,SC. Mid Carolina Marine referred me to them as they use them. 803-794-0209 The work is actually done well. The vinyl matches and I paid $150 for the stern seats ,$150 for the port fish box seat and $175 for the bolsters. The price was very good.

I am sweating the detail here. I don't think anybody will notice ,but I will. Lol.

$150.00? Did you give them the cushions and they reupholstered? A template of some kind?

 

[Ky Grady]

I am sweating the detail here. I don't think anybody will notice

Every time I see your boat, I'm gonna know you don't have piping!!! The horror of it!!

 

[DennisG01]

From what I know about this subject piping does not add or subtract durability. It's simply a different way of making a seam. Actually, maybe it's not as durable as there's usually only one line of stitching on the underside...

 

[seasick]

With the original bolsters it is a little different construction. On the end caps, there is sewn in welting that separates the pleated vinyl from the flat vinyl. Where the welting overlaps the hot pressed 'seams' of the pleated vinyl, the welting looks better since it hides that flat spot. On the outer edges of the bolsters, the welting is not sewn at all. The pleated and flat vinyl edges are stapled on the back of the plastic backer board. After those are done, the welting is then stapled over the back edge.The welting doesn't add any durability but it does help the bolster sit more uniformly flat against the fiberglass. What does that have to do with seat cushions? Nothing really

 

[glacierbaze]

You have a lot of exposed thread, with all that top stitching. But, it is neatly done at a good price. I would suggest using a good boat cover religiously.
Piping, or welting, hides the thread in a lot of seams, like the gussets, but topstitching might be necessary where the panels are sewn in. It also adds 2 layers of material to the seam, which makes it harder to lay flat. Does the OEM upholstery have top stitching on the piped seams?