console fabric

[mazdab40004x4]

Ive got the oem 60-40 seats in my truck with the armrest console that flips up on a pivot. The lid latch has been broken since I bought the truck, but I finally found an intact replacement lid at a junkyard last weekend. Only problem is the fabric is nowhere close to my interior. So I've already swapped the fabric from the replacement lid with my original -- it was held in place by about 1000 staples throught the fabric and into the plastic of the lid.

I went to use my staple gun to re staple the fabric and the staples just keep bending. They won't go through the plastic. I bought some heavy duty staples and got the same results. Any idea on how to get the fabric restapled? Do I need special staples? I thought about just hot gluing it down but wasn't sure if that would hold up. I feel like a dumbass - I can fix just about anything mechanical but upholstery is not my thing I guess.

Thanks.

 

[strokerdave]

Do you have access to a compressor? If you do go to your nearest Harbor Freight and get a pneumatic staple gun. Will make the job so much easier.

 

[mazdab40004x4]

I do have a compressor. And I always like to have an excuse to go to HF Do the pneumatic guns use different staples?

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[strokerdave]

This is the one I'd probably look for: http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gauge-14-crown-stapler-69719.html

It does shoot different length staples. For what you're using it for I'd go with the shorter staple. For wider staples of course you're going to need a different gun. A lot of people prefer using better staples though, look for Duo-fast or Arrow.

 

[martin]

There are all kinds of staples, most have a flat end, you need to find the ones that have sharp pointed ends, the ones they sell for ceiling tiles usually have pointed ends.

 

[mazdab40004x4]

Ok thanks guys. Im headed to Harbor Freight in a little while. Ill let you know how it comes out.

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[mazdab40004x4]

Ok im on the right track. The gun you recommended works great. But the shortest staples I could find in Harbor Freight or Home Depot were 1/2" and thats too long. They go through the other side. Need to see if I can find some shorter ones.

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[strokerdave]

If you can't find shorter staples in your area you can order them from McMaster-Carr. Usually arrive within a couple of days.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#staples-for-powered-staplers/=qby7v6

They have them down to 3/16th's.

I did a quick google search and you should be able to find the staples you need at one of the upholstery supply houses in your area.

 

[dasrider]

When I redid my console fabric I used a Bostitch heavy duty stapler I got from Lowes a few years back: http://www.lowes.com/pd_308823-3404...currentURL=?Ntt=heavy+duty+stapler&facetInfo=

As long as I pushed the stapler against the fabric/plastic hard enough, the staples would go through fine.

Hot glue would work too probably, or a heavy duty spray-on adhesive like some 3M 77. Just gotta be careful of the overspray, but that stuff works really well on fabric.