Expert: Mark H. Miller - 5/28/2008

Question
Thank you for your response to my earlier question, however I think I did not explain my problem clearly.  I would like to know how to upholster over a curved chair back.  The back has a slight concave curve so if I stretch the vinyl from the bottom of the back over the top and staple back at the bottom, it fits nicely over the padded front, but how do I get it to adhere to the inward curving surface?  I think I have to use adhesive - can you recommend which type and how to use it?

Answer
Hi,

You are right on and should have very little difficulty doing the job since you are so well on the right track.

Buy a spray adhesive that will bond fabric to foam, some hardware stores carry that as contact cement, otherwise go to an art supply store.

Remove the existing fabric and be very careful not to damage the existing foam,  then spray the entire back of the chair but stay away from approximately the outside edge - about 3 inches.  Spray a similar area on the new fabric and lay it down on the back, immediately begin to smooth the fabric away from the center so there are no wrinkles.  

Make certain the you cut the piece large enough so that you will have at least 3 inches extra fabric on each side top to bottom and side to side, it is very important that you do not cut the corners off the fabric - do not trim it to the shape of the back,  you will need the extra fabric to hold on to in order to stretch it over the back.  

Leave the cement dry for at least a couple of hours to give it sufficient time to adhere very well, or it may pull away as you do the job.  

Now you are ready to finish the upholstering,  if you have a hair-dryer use that to soften the new vinyl, make certain that you pull and staple the fabric top to bottom first, pull fairly tight, that will push it into the curve even more, then pull very little on each side pulling very little otherwise you will pull it out of the curved shape and staple that down.

Then lay the back front side down on a table or even on the floor, grab the vinyl by one corner and pull it around very hard, you may even have to twist it a little - similar to as if you are wringing out a wet rag and trying to dry it, do that with your left hand and with the right hand staple it down, if you do that it should be as smooth as a baby's belly - as we say in the trade - the whole thing should look like a mushroom cap with no wrinkles, remember the hair dryer which will make the vinyl soft and easier to conform to the shape of the chair.

From what you have written I am certain you will do a very professional job.  Good luck, it has been a pleasure answering your question.

Mark Miller.