Seat Material

[thiggy]

I have been planning on recovering my pan seat with black canvas (as soon as I can get my wife to sew it). I have the seat pan ready - painted, old cover remnants pryed out of the lip, and the foam cut and cemented in position. I am now having second thoughts about using the canvas, as it can easily get soaked if it gets rained on. I am now thinking of using a vinyl fabric instead. If I go that route, what color would be most appropriate? My recollection is that our Cub had some sort of silver-looking canvas material when my Dad purchased it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Rob in NH]

it can be treated with a water repellant.

[thiggy]

What kind of water repellant? I thought about Scotchguard, but I was not sure if that was what it is used for?

[ScottyD'sdad]

Black gets a bit warm, in the sun. I'd suggest a lighter color. Ed

[Rob in NH]

i've used scotch guard but i'm sure there are other products that are as good or better.

[Rudi]

Stanley:

Go to your local WallyWorld aka Wal-Mart, the camping section and you can buy the aerosol cans of waterproofing compound used to waterproof tents. A few coats of that compount (let dry well between coats) and it should be perfectly water proof. I would re-apply once a year just as you would for a tent. Cans are about $3.99 here.

[Dusty B]

If you can find my post on seat recovering you can see how I used a combo of red & white vinyl (boat seat material) from JoAnn fabric. I also made one up w/grey vinyl. ??? pm me. Dusty B

[AL Farmall Boy]

Stanley....I have actually taken on the task of recovering a seat too. This would be for the 1975 Cub I'm restoring that had the factory pan seat with 95% of the original covering. It seemed to be a (forgot what it's called) "hatched" type rough vinyl (little squares) that was silver or grey in color. After debating...I'd rather go with the vinyl becuase it has a more cleaner look than the duck canvas....plus it is more weather friendly and easier to work with when reupholstering.....seems like it at least.

I went into the fabric store here, and noticed that they had black and white vinyl. I don't know if you can get other colors or not; but since I have a yellow and white cub, I'd like to do either Yellow & White vinyl, or Yellow & Black vinyl.....maybe even have the "IH" logo or "Cub" sewn in it somehow.

How did you open up the lip? I ended up using a hammer and chisel. It worked great, but ALOT of hard work!! As hard, stiff, and strong as that metal on the lip was; I'm surely not looking forward to closing it back up when it comes time to install the new cover!!!

[thiggy]

I opened the lip just as you did, with chisel and hammer. I held the pan on edge against a wood block on the floor for support as I slowly hammered and pryed my way around the perimeter of the seat pan. It was sure a slow job. I may go back to the fabric store and take a look at what type of vinyl material they have. You know, I just had a thought. Bonds Brothers (auto paint & upholstery supply) downtown may have a better selection of vinyl. I may go there Monday and see what sort of selection that they have. I prefer to keep the color silver or black, for the authentic appearance.

[AL Farmall Boy]

Sounds good Stanley, and yeah, Bonds Bros. would be a good idea. Keep me posted on what they have. I think the yellow/white vinyl combo would look great and still look like it was original.

[Stanton]

...I am now having second thoughts about using the canvas, as it can easily get soaked if it gets rained on. I am now thinking of using a vinyl fabric instead...

I bought duck canvas from Jo-Ann Fabrics and my wife sewed it. Before buying vinyl, you'll want to make sure your wife's sewing machine can handle it.

[Dale S.]

We just bought 1.5 yds of grey marine waterproof vinile . On sale at Hancock fabric 50% off. Also got some additional padding for it.

[thiggy]

Tnanks, Stanton. The machine's capability has been one of my concerns in selecting an upholstery material.

[AL Farmall Boy]

We were making some beanbags out of duck cloth for a cornhole game, and discovered a friends sewing machine couldn't sew the duck cloth. The vinyl I looked at at the Fabric store (Michaels) was pretty thin and plyable, so I'd imagine it would handle it easier.

[Dale S.]

The vinyl I looked at at the Fabric store (Michaels) was pretty thin and plyable, so I'd imagine it would handle it easier.

If it is not marine grade, it will not hold up, and most likely will not be waterproof.