Archive for February, 2012

How Much Do You Charge Per Hour?

Published by Naseem Muaddi on February 29th, 2012

Hotrod & Restoration magazine recently published its annual automotive industry statistics. The nationwide survey, which gathers data from all sectors of the custom and restoration industry, highlights valuable information that our shops can use to better understand the market – such as average shop sales revenues and busiest months of the year.

What stands out the most, however, is the report’s findings on the average hourly labor rate that our auto upholstery shops charge in comparison to other sectors of the industry.

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Evoque: The First Convertible SUV

Published by Nadeem Muaddi on February 28th, 2012

Land Rover is set to debut the world’s first convertible SUV at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show next month – the Range Rover Evoque.

According to Land Rover’s Design Director, Gerry McGovern, the drop-top SUV is based on the bold bodylines of the Range Rover Evoque Coupe, but features a fully retractable soft top that lowers in just 12 seconds.

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2012 Ridler Award Goes to ’55 T-Bird

Published by Nadeem Muaddi on February 27th, 2012

Congratulations to Dwayne Peace of Tyler, Texas for winning the 2012 Ridler award for his impeccable 1955 Ford Thunderbird. The competition was stiff at the Detroit Autorama, where the award is given to the best custom-built hot rod each year, but Peace’s T-Bird pulled through to take home the top prize.

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5 Celebrities Who Can Upholster

Published by Naseem Muaddi on February 25th, 2012

Great upholsterers are creative free thinkers. So it should come as no surprise to learn that some of today’s (and yesterday’s) greatest celebrity talents have a background in upholstery.

Below are 5 famous folks from then and now who you probably didn’t know can work a set of hog ring pliers.

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Bolder French Seams With QTC Contrast

Published by Naseem Muaddi on February 24th, 2012

Nothing sets off an upholstery job better than a straight French seam or topstitch. Combined with thick thread, the job really pops. In fact, you’d be surprised by how much of a difference the width of thread can make in the overall appearance of a vehicle’s interior.

I was first drawn to the look of thick-thread decorative stitches by the dashboard and door panels of a 2011 Jaguar XKR. The thread’s width, the way its color contrasted with the dash and how perfectly straight its seams were instantly drew my attention. I knew right away that I wanted to experiment with the look in my own work. Now I can with QTC Contrast T-270 Bonded Nylon.

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Safety-Belt Air Bags Gain Ground

Published by Naseem Muaddi on February 22nd, 2012

To be successful in the field of auto upholstery, we have to keep pace with the constant innovations car manufacturers make to their vehicle interiors. One of those innovations is the placement of safety air bags.

Most of us already have experience working with seat, headliner, dashboard and steering wheel air bags. But since last year, Ford has been sewing them into back-seat safety belts. Now, other automakers are following suit.

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NC Trim Shop Closes After 30 Years

Published by Nadeem Muaddi on February 21st, 2012

While we’re on the subject of how you learned auto upholstery, let’s all tip our hats to Gary Childress of Auto Top & Trim Shop in Reidsville, North Carolina. After suffering a stroke in August that left him unable to live on his own or drive, Childress has decided to close his 30-year-old shop and move to Shelby to partner with his son, Sandy, in opening Kustom Auto Trim & Tops.

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Billboard Advertising for Less than $100

Published by Naseem Muaddi on February 19th, 2012

I recently found out that advertising my auto upholstery shop on a park bench would cost about $500 a month. I was so shocked that I didn’t even bother asking how much a traditional billboard would cost.

Then I remembered a clever trick that I saw on a trip to Las Vegas last year. Businesses hired box trucks to drive up and down the strip with giant company ads on them. Compared to the cost of placing actual billboards on the strip, they must have saved a ton.

Trim shops can employ a similar tactic for even less by placing magnetic signs on their company or personal vehicles. They cost less than $100 to make and can be ready in a day.

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Study Finds “New Car Smell” is Toxic

Published by Nadeem Muaddi on February 16th, 2012

You know that “new car smell” people often rave about? Turns out it’s toxic. In fact, most automakers know this and have been silently making changes to their interiors to rid them of the dangerous plastics and chemicals that emit the scent.

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How Did You Learn Auto Upholstery?

Published by Naseem Muaddi on February 14th, 2012

Stories about how individual auto trimmers learned the trade has always intrigued me. It’s one of the last remaining crafts where apprenticeship is essential, so there’s always an interesting story to be told.

I’d like to share with you the story of how I learned auto upholstery; and hopefully you’ll share yours in the comments section below. I have a feeling that they’re similar in a lot of ways.

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