Replacing Seat Skins

[REHinH20]

I was referred to Gabriel Garcia in California From Chris Phillips who does interior work, and used to work for Malibu. He has gotten so busy that he couldn't take on any more work. I contacted Gabriel, and he has access to all of the materials and interior layouts for Malibu. I gave him my hull ID# and he did 3 new seat skins for me, he asked me to pay only after he had completed the job (plus for me, knowing I wasn't getting taken). New skins were delivered within 2 weeks of me giving him the "go ahead". The seats look awesome, and he asked me for referrals. I will also go through step by step with photos of the process. I highly recommend him for your interior.

Gabriel Garcia phone 209-564-6203 Lives in Merced, CA

Below is the process to install the skins.

These are before pics, I only am doing the back 3 seats, since they are the ones that have torn.

I recommend setting up a table to work at to get everything off the floor. Also I started with the middle square seat, assuming a square would be best to work with while moving up the learning curve.

By far the most tedious part of the process was removing the old skin - I did this very carefully because I wanted to preserve the "old model" for reference. As it turned out, I did not reference it at all, but still will probably do the other 2 seats the same way (just the kinda guy I am).

Using a small flat screwdriver I pried up the staples in the trim, them pulled them out with needle nose pliers. I repeated the process for the staples holding the upholstery to the seat bottom.

The seat cushion is divided up into sections. The skins attach to the seat bottom in between the sections. I took a small putty knife and removed the cusion from the bottom.

I took out the staples from this area, and the old skin slipped off pretty easily.

At this point I took the foam in to use a steam iron to "fluff" it up, as has been suggested by others on here. After about 45 minutes of steaming I could tell no difference in the foam, I elected to move on with the installation.

At other's recommendation, I used a dry cleaning bag cut just large enough to cover the center section of foam, to allow the new skin to slide easily over the foam. Without this, they do not want to slide easily and it was very difficult to position the skin where I wanted it.

Gabriel cuts the tab that goes in between the sections at the right length, so I started by re-stapling the new skin just like the old one came off. I put the tab sections in and then used spray adhesive to attach the previously removed section back to the cushion bottom one at a time after attaching the tab.

Now I started pulling the upholstery to the back of the seat. I started here since the attached tabs gave me something to pull against. It allowed me to get the seat height and firmness just right, so it would match the surrounding seats. I started with just a couple staples to hold it where I wanted it, and worked around to the other 3 sides. Once I had everything just right, I started adding the staples in the corners then would put a staple halfway between the others, until it was filled to my liking.

Once all the staples were in, I trimmed the excess off.

Time for the trim to go in to cover the staples. Trim opens in the middle to allow a staple to go in and be hidden. I positioned it so it would cover the raw edge and staples and started attaching. I put a staple in about ever 2-3 inches.

Finished product

Hopefully this will help anyone considering doing it themselves.

[pook77]

great work so far!

[Ndawg12]

Nice work! Surprised steaming didn't do anything. It was like magic when I did it, I could literally see it grow back to shape. Is that the stapler you used?

[REHinH20]

Yes - I was wary of it and prepared to upgrade, but it put everything just right. Now I need a new excuse to upgrade.

[Andrew63]

Any chance of an email address for Gabriel?

Easier to email from down under due to time differences.

Thanks for the how to post with pics, make the process more appealing to jive it a go.

[REHinH20]

Not a problem - I definitely recommend him. Did what he had promised, and actually quicker than I had expected.

[email protected]

[robbennett]

Great write up! How was the pricing? I need those two corner ones done on mine soon and they are exactly like yours.

[henrik]

Nice write up. Will follow this as I'm not that far out from doing some interior work on our boat. What type and size staples should one use? Same on skins as trimpiece?

[REHinH20]

Very reasonable - Less that what another guy had quoted me (can't mention his name on this site)...

Call him and ask, you'll be very impressed I think.

[REHinH20]

Henrik - I used the same staples on both, and it appeared the factory did also (from what I could tell removing the old ones. I pulled an old one out and went with the same depth. Of course you should use stainless at the very least.

[bunji169]

Good to know there is replacement for Chee that works first gets paid later. I'm sure Gabriel will start getting very busy after this post.

Surfin USA [emoji570][emoji475]

Edited April 21, 2015 by bunji169

[2manyhobbies]

Where was this thread two years ago when I was replacing the skins on my old centurion. I learned on the fly how to do this, and the results showed, I was working with really broken down foam and I pulled the skin too tight which resulted in seats not looking quite the same shape they had previously.

[Sparky450]

Good to know there is replacement for Chee that works first gets paid later. I'm sure Gabriel will start getting very busy after this post.

Surfin USA [emoji570][emoji475]

Being self employed I know for a fact "Pay 100% after" will end the first time one of these guys gets burned. Or they will say " This is a side job, why am I risking my hard earned money"

At this point they just quit doing it and we are all out. It is also a side job. Meaning "It is on their schedule"

All it will take is for someone to order skins, then not be able to take delivery.

We have all been there. "I had unexpected medical expenses" or " I wrecked my car and had to buy a new one". or my favorite "I budgeted that last month, I don't have it this month"

Yes, I have actually heard that one!!!

Even if they have material in stock, It was paid for up front!

These guys have to get something up front.

I also wanted to add.

These are guys with normal day jobs. After emailing Gabriel, I backed it up with a phone call, because it sounded like he had started his own gig. He in fact still has a normal day job. I get upset when my employees get personal calls on the clock.

Especially side work that should be referred to the business. The only difference here is Malibu will not support beyond 5 years, this is a mistake by Malibu.

These phone calls during business hours will ruin the service we have. Please stick to emails and let them respond on their own schedule.

Obviously, I do not approve of people walking with others hard earned money. Just needed to point out the obvious. They are also taking a risk. Quite often unneeded if they have a day job. I am sure they could have plenty of local work to keep them busy. :)

BTW

I am work first get paid later

It is just the way my trade works. I know many trades that receive 50% up front for material. Sure wish I could!!!

[Ndawg12]

^^^ I hope you feel better I would have no problem putting 25-50% down to atleast cover material. Make skins, text/email a completed pic, send remaining money, ship skins!!

[robbennett]

Well I contacted him and have the corner skins coming. Really excited about it because those two have been re-sewn and super glued a million times! Let us know how the other two turn out when you get them done.

[Bill_AirJunky]

Great job. Thanks for sharing the pics. I think I know what my winter 2016 project will be.

[REHinH20]

Well, Sparky - I offered to pay him partial upfront, and he declined. I am also a business person, and realize if my employees do something like this on the side, they probably are never going to make enough money to cause them to leave me...but I also believe that micro-managing them and "getting upset" at them because they took a couple minute call on my time could be a reason for them to leave. I try to strike a balance for my employees to give them an enjoyable work atmosphere. Good employees are hard enough to come by, and one training a new one is not worth the investment because of side job phone calls.

My point of the article was to give members another option of a good and reputable interior guy, AND show what worked for me. Agree with Nate...hope your rant made you feel better, because it kinda made me feel like my post was somehow useless.

[robbennett]

Well, Sparky - I offered to pay him partial upfront, and he declined. I am also a business person, and realize if my employees do something like this on the side, they probably are never going to make enough money to cause them to leave me...but I also believe that micro-managing them and "getting upset" at them because they took a couple minute call on my time could be a reason for them to leave. I try to strike a balance for my employees to give them an enjoyable work atmosphere. Good employees are hard enough to come by, and one training a new one is not worth the investment because of side job phone calls.

My point of the article was to give members another option of a good and reputable interior guy, AND show what worked for me. Agree with Nate...hope your rant made you feel better, because it kinda made me feel like my post was somehow useless.

Your post wasn't useless. It helped me out!

[Sparky450]

The post was not useless. It was very Helpful

THANK YOU!!!

My apologies if it made you feel that way

Thank you also for doing the right thing and offering a deposit.

That is how good business is completed, and customers and vendors are all happy in the end.

Not everyone feels this way.

About Micro Managing.

I have no problem with an occasional phone call. I also allow a BALANCE. With this being posted on a public forum, It may not be a balance.

Was pointing a few items out to try and keep the balance so we all, including the vendor, can continue to benefit.

Its Friday, Lets all hit the water!!! :) :boat:

BTW It would suck to be one of you guys up north!!! Where is the icicle smiley?

[Ndawg12]

Well, Sparky - I offered to pay him partial upfront, and he declined. I am also a business person, and realize if my employees do something like this on the side, they probably are never going to make enough money to cause them to leave me...but I also believe that micro-managing them and "getting upset" at them because they took a couple minute call on my time could be a reason for them to leave. I try to strike a balance for my employees to give them an enjoyable work atmosphere. Good employees are hard enough to come by, and one training a new one is not worth the investment because of side job phone calls.

My point of the article was to give members another option of a good and reputable interior guy, AND show what worked for me. Agree with Nate...hope your rant made you feel better, because it kinda made me feel like my post was somehow useless.

Definitely not useless, I didn't take Sparky's post that way, I took it as a suggestion to Gabriel on how to proceed in his young venture and some etiquette for the consumer on how to contact on converse with him to keep this going. I am in contact with Gabriel about several skins, so thank you

[REHinH20]

Sorry, I think useless was a poor choice of words, but I did take offense to a possible hijack, but It's all good!

[robbennett]

Hey I got my skins from Gabriel today. Quick question what size staple did you use?

[baileyj3423]

Hi. Has anyone had luck contacting Gabriel lately? I sent him an email and left a voice mail , and no response.

Thanks

[REHinH20]

Sorry Rob,

just saw the question - I used 3/8 staples - Stainless or course.

Edited May 18, 2015 by REHinH20

[robbennett]

Hi. Has anyone had luck contacting Gabriel lately? I sent him an email and left a voice mail , and no response.

Thanks

I emailed him and he got back within a couple days. Had my skins in less than 2 weeks. He did great work but must be getting busy.