Fellas my couch has seen better days. My family bought it in 1976 and it's really starting to fall apart now. I looked into buying a new one but modular sectionals are very expensive and they're generally a downgrade from this one in its prime so I think restoration is a better option. I don't have any experience with upholstery but since this is all square angles and straight lines I think it should be an easy project to learn on. I can also take the opportunity to overbuild the underlying structure so prevent it from falling apart again as quickly.
I have an Amazon cart full of everything I think I need besides the fabric but I'm not entirely sure if "44ILD firm" foam is like "200lb adult" firm or "350lb adult" firm. I'm also not sure about a soft but robust fabric choice since you can see in the image that even where the fabric isn't torn there are many places where the velvety parts have worn away.
Even with this being a cheaper option than buying new it's still a little pricey so ideally I could spread the cost and labor out over time but I'm worried about matching the fabric down the line if I don't order everything I need all at once, just in case it gets discontinued or something. I'd like to tackle the webbing and foam first of all to take care of the structural problems for the time being then worry about the fabric later but I don't know if that's possible without getting down to bare wood first. I'm also planning to take measurements of the bare wood to make additional modules at a later date.
Any thoughts or advice?
Bumping
Recently replaced my couches webbing/suspension. If you are doing the cushions you may as well replace the webbing supporting those cushions too - it'll be worth it to complete the rebuild.
I value my time, just hunt aggressively on craigslist or your local salvation army etc.
My house is full of secondhand wood pieces but anything with soft surfaces is a no for buying used. Also this is an opportunity to build the thing strong enough to hold me up without breaking. Secondhand will break, I promise.
yeah that's honestly the #1 priority. I think it originally didn't have any webbing so now the cushions sort of fall into the frame parallel to the springs. I just don't know if I can do the webbing without removing the fabric from the base.
you're on the wrong board
You're both not wrong. OP's fifty year old couch doesn't look like it should be saved. He needs to do himself a replacement.
>OP's fifty year old couch doesn't look like it should be saved.
Why? Because the foam and fabric need to be replaced? Then nothing should ever be reupholstered, just throw it out and get a new one. New clones made in China cost like $5k and will last a handful of years tops. Refurbished vintage examples of this exact sofa cost twice that. What exactly makes you think it's not worth spending $1k and a few weekends instead? There's nothing wrong with the wood frame.
The foam and fabric needed to be replaced 25 years ago and it should've been stored somewhere besides under a tarp in OP's backyard.
>The foam and fabric needed to be replaced 25 years ago
so why not today?
>and it should've been stored somewhere besides under a tarp in OP's backyard
it has been in a living room for its entire life
>Refurbished vintage examples of this exact sofa cost twice that.
I'll sell you this moldy orange for $50k.
Just because someone has something listed for a price does not mean it's worth anything.
Op you do you and I wont try to stop you. But I would throw it away.
definitely throw this disguisting shit out. The fricking thing wasnt good looking when it was brand new, and it sure as hell aint good looking now. Looks like someone took a nasty oily shit in it and then smeared it into the creases. Thing looks FRICKED.
Buy a goddamn new couch. And if you know anything about shit from the 70s, it was always cheaply made and shit, especially furniture. Throw it out.
Even if you bother getting good at upholstry, its a steep learning curve and requires specialized sewing tools (probably) to do it properly. Not to mention material costs.
Youre a sperg for even considering saving it OP. When i take a huge shit and flies start swarming around me, I dont exactly go "HOW CAN I REPAIR THIS".
IKEA paid shills.
SHïïLLS
That's a cool couch and you will have lots of pride in saving it. Couch uphostery doesnt seem all that tough compared to e.g. auto upholstery; maybe some of the pleating and seams will look a bit amateur but with a couch that size you will learn as you go. Enjoy the rebuild. I partly disassembled a chinese couch I have for a small repair and was disappointed to find so much structural cardboard.
Op, they're all right, both a waste of time and probably worth it due to its frame being built better
but if you feel like spending the time, go for it
Before you cut this couch up, practice on an old junk one. I don't ever recommend getting furniture out of the trash, but there are numerous places you can get a practice trash couch at.
When you finally good, try it on the one you posted about
Why is it black on the cushions?
Maybe. I enjoy fixing things, but this couch is fricked. Maybe if op had experience reupholstering such a complex structure they could fix it, but realistically the cost to labor ratio is not sensible imo. They will be out 1k in material and what? 6k in labor they could have spent at their job making money. So for me, spending even 3-4k on a new couch just seems obvious. Maybe they should look into hiring a reupholstering company out of town and bringing the pieces there.
that's the thing, it's really not complex at all. It's all right angles, straight lines, and multiple independent and similar sections. This is the easiest possible project piece to learn on.
I have a peeling pleather couch in need of repair as well. I've been putting it off for some time now but after doing enough research I think I'm ready to tackle the damn thing. I bought some pleather pieces but this morning I decided to maybe use fabric instead then I ran into this thread. I need to fix the spring on one of the seats as well. Not sure how I'll do that, hopefully I can pop it back in place. All you really need is the fabric picked out, it looks like you'll need some foaming cushioning replaced, and then get to work sewing and putting it all together. If the structure is good then it's worth saving. You don't get a dent in your bumper and throw the whole car away, not in this economy.
"hey PrepHole my couch is falling apart and I want to fix it"
>no you should throw it away because it is falling apart
"but the frame is fine, it just needs new foam and fabric"
>the foam and fabric are torn up so you should throw the whole thing away
"I don't like new couches and restoring this one will create more value than throwing 5x the money at a new one"
>I don't personally like it so you should throw it away
What is wrong with you morons? Reupholstering is just something that should never be done?
Finally someone who understands. Good luck on your project.
>reupholstery is impossible and should never be attempted especially if the fabric is torn and the foam needs to be replaced
what the frick am I reading
>44ILD firm
For 350lb?
2.50lb/cf - 70-100 ILD
But it might be too firm for those of a lesser stature.
>70-100 ILD
fuark. I was planning on laminating the foam anyway, like 4 inches of firm and 2 of soft. Would it be a good idea to do like 3 layers of 80/40/20 ILD?
yes you can, but I've never done mix and match unless it's a thin layer at the top (usually softer, thereby making the sliding of the cover easier).
you just need to keep in mind that density (lb/cf) is for durability and ILD is firmness when making an order.
since this is a long-term usage item, I say 2.5 because that'll last basically twice as long as anything below 1.8-2.0 lb/cf.
the back could be 2.5 - 25 and the seats 2.5 - 70.
I can't say how much you'd save by doing layers, but you certainly would. I'd just do 2, though. because a 20ILD layer of an inch will crush to less than a ¼, making it useless.
maybe 4 inches of 80 and 2 of 25 for your weight for the seats.
keep in mind, I like firm seating.
Honestly since this is a total overhaul the final height of the cushions is flexible and I'm not opposed to 8 or 10 inch thick seats if it gives both me enough firmness and others enough softness.
makes for a sturdier couch castle, as well
Where's a good place to get foam? Im not sure if there's any manufacturers that have an especially good product/reputation but I'd like to get something that doesn't start disintegrating asap
OP here. This seems like it has good info and good selection.
https://foamonline.com/cube/
You should order some material to make log crash pads since you are already going down this path
that's a really good idea but I will compare with premade pads in case manufacturers have enough economy of scale to keep the cost lower than DIY. Or I can just bring the old cushions to the gym.
>remove everything down to the frame and rebuild,
that is the plan
>but probably cheaper to buy new.
certainly not, the cheapest clone with comparable dimensions is $4k. A higher quality clone would be more like $7k. I think the refurb will run around $1500.
>Amazon cart full of everything I think I need
You should have posted a pic showing your cart.
Most of what I do is auto/marine upholstery, but I've also done some furniture.
You didn't mention sewing. Do you already know how to sew? Do you have a decent machine?
I wouldn't buy the fabric piecemeal. Even if it's "the same color", the dye lot might differ, or what you already have might age/fade, etc. Just buy the fabric in one shot.
>good place to get foam
Buy locally if possible. Foam is already expensive, but the shipping will be ridiculous.
>Foam is already expensive, but the shipping will be ridiculous.
shame you can't pack it smaller
>shame you can't pack it smaller
Are you familiar with the kinds of foam being discussed in this thread?
An upholstery supply shop (or an Amazon seller, etc) doesn't have the same packing equipment as the "mattress through the mail" places.
>You should have posted a pic showing your cart.
pic related. The 2" foam is 44ILD and I also got 2 rolls of 4" but I think I'm going to go with a firmer one instead.
>You didn't mention sewing. Do you already know how to sew? Do you have a decent machine?
My mom and sister both sew and I was going to use Mom's machine. It can handle this type of material. I haven't personally sewn before but I learn fast.
>I wouldn't buy the fabric piecemeal. Even if it's "the same color", the dye lot might differ, or what you already have might age/fade, etc. Just buy the fabric in one shot.
yes that much I do know already. But that's a huge pricetag up front, especially since I also want to build additional new sections so I should order 50% more anyway
>Buy locally if possible. Foam is already expensive, but the shipping will be ridiculous.
I don't know of any local foam supplier besides Joann's and Hobby Lobby. The hard part is the dimensions I need are 30x30" and those places only ever have 24 or 27 and never in anything as firm as I need. What would I search for to find a local foam supplier with better selection?
>buying all the fabric at once
Most places offer a bulk/roll discount. What's the worst that can happen? You have all the material you need & later end up making a chair to match the couch?
>I don't know of any local foam supplier
Those are retail stores. Search for a wholesaler, upholstery supply, etc. Also ask if they sell to individuals, a lot of places you'll need a business license (for tax reasons). If it's within an hour's drive, you'll come out on top w/ shipping.
The place I buy from, I literally searched Google Maps for "foam manufacturer near Cincinnati".
Or if you're not afraid of talking to people in real life, check at a local upholstery shop. Sort of play the sentimentality card--"Help me buy some foam. I know it's a fool's errand, but I'm redoing this 1970s couch from my childhood..."
>What's the worst that can happen?
it's just a big upfront cost is all
>check at a local upholstery shop
I did find one around here that I'll check out.
>Before you cut this couch up, practice on an old junk one.
this couch is six completely separate pieces. Absolute worst case I botch a single section and just have to redo it after getting more practice with the others.
>Why is it black on the cushions?
the brown velvet wore away over time leaving just the backing fabric.
>Absolute worst case
Worst case is you can't actually do the job and just destroyed the only source for a template and have to throw the whole thing away
How and why would I destroy the template? Almost every one of the six pieces can be a template for the others anyway.
lmfao give up
wtf get rid of that shit
its gross