You could certainly clean, prep and paint the door panels with SEM paint. They also sell them brand new from Eckler's and Corvette America

That's a bit low in my opinion. If you're making them from scratch I would say at least 16 hours. Another option is to purchase a leather or vinyl interior from Katzkin or Roadwire for around $500 to $600 and charge $700 or so to install it.

Like Peter said, I tell the customer about them and what to expect and leave it up to the customer to get the material if they want.

I've never seen those before. Maybe contact Vicar International to see if they might have an answer

I looked in to these tops a few weeks back for a customer with a Rav 4 and came up with nothing. I think the only option is to make a soft top from scratch.

Congratulations Fred!

I broke my wrist about ten years back and had surgery to repair it. Since then it gives me trouble from time to time so I wrap my wrist in athletic tape to help prevent aggravating it from a long day of sewing.

I hate working with genuine alligator leather. I'd say stick with the embossed vinyl or cow leather. Real alligator is hard to work with and doesn't have much usable material. I don't think it'll work for a bench seat.

I like option 3.

Your seats look great Chris!

What are the most common convertible tops that you are getting requests for? German, American or Japanese?

I would recommend selling yours and getting a new machine. Zig-Zag machines just aren't right for our trade. Get a 1508. Juki and NC both make them and they are perfect for auto upholstery work. http://www.n-ccarpet.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=5900&product_id=582

I bought one a few years ago and I absolutely love it

Customs by Vos told me they use 210-size thread with a size 23 needle. Their stitches always look great

Are you talking about this? http://www.thehogring.com/2015/10/14/vetron-autoseam-the-machine-that-sews-alone/

Agreed. Gluing vinyl to sew foam as opposed to perimeter stitching it causes wrinkles in the cover

Very nice work!

I switched all of my motors to Family servo motors a few years back and I'm so glad that I did. I absolutely love them

Do you need just the vinyl or the fiberglass shell too? If all you need is the vinyl give Kee Auto Top a call. Give them the year/make/model and they'll get you exactly what you need

That's awesome! Congratulations Fred. I can't wait to read it

I'd love to know where to get 1/8" staples as well. Smallest I've seen so far is 1/4"

I've never heard of that. What kind of work are you doing for your customer that he would need that

Great job Fred! You continue to do so much for our industry

When I tested the gun I first tried off brand staples and the gun misfired several times. It was only after I used BeA brand staples that the gun shot perfectly every time. In fact I switched to BeA brand staples for my other brand guns and have noticed no misfires as well. Try using BeA brand staples and see if that helps you. Otherwise you should contact BeA to see about a replacement.

Thank you John. Welcome to The Hog Ring forum!

To avoid that ledge. Glue just the seams and float the rest of the cover

Small radiuses like that are always going to be a challenge. When sewing circles I find it best to sew in two halves from the center point out. Relief cuts in the selvage help and cutting and sewing exactly 3/8" seam allowance is critical.