Rayco Upholstery

We upholster custom interiors for cars, boats, aviation, commercial, industrial and medical.


10 Things to Consider Before You Choose the Right Upholstery Shop 

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finding the right upholstery shop for your needs

Being in this business for over 70 years, here at Rayco Upholstery we often get asked about the referrals in the automotive industry and how to find the right upholstery shop for your needs.  

Since we know a thing or two, we thought it would be a good idea to share our tips for finding the right upholstery shop for you! Here’s 10 things to consider before you hand over your vehicle to the shop: 

 Finding the Right Upholstery Shop

 

  1.  Make sure the specific upholstery shop you’re looking up has been in business (and at the same location) for a longer period of time. This will ensure a great deal of experience and solid work from that location.
  2. Following up with #1, ask around. A LOT. The reputation of the shop will tell you a lot about the work you may be paying for.
  3.  Don’t hesitate to ask for referrals in the automotive industry. Chances are your mechanic or local dealership have a good upholstery contact to share.
  4. Get as many estimates as possible before you hand over your vehicle. We cannot stress it enough. 
  5. The way you receive your estimate is just as important. If the upholstery employee explained your options and told you exactly what service you’ll need,plus why and how it will be executed, then you should be in good hands. 
  6. What about the quality of the materials being used to replace or repair your vehicle? 
  7. Ask as many questions as you can regarding the work that needs to be done on your vehicle. Is it just a repair or a full replacement? 
  8. Is the shop clean and safe? Better yet, is it insured? Don’t leave your vehicle at the shop before you know everything about the location. 
  9. Ask whether your vehicle will be parked inside or outside. In some instances, they may want to leave it on the side of the street by the shop. It’s up to you to decide whether you’re comfortable with it or not! 
  10. Last but not least, don’t settle for the cheapest estimate just to save some money. More often than not, it will end up costing you more in the long run anyway. 

 

Do you feel confident about making your decision now? If you’re looking for an experienced upholstery shop in Delaware or Tri-State area, don’t hesitate to contact Rayco Upholstery! 

Rayco Upholstery Delaware

302.323.8844 | www.delawareupholstery.com 

5 Benefits of Using Ultra-Leather in Commercial and Private Aircraft

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5 Benefits of Using Ultra-Leather in Commercial and Private Aircraft

In upholstery, choosing the right kind of material for the job is part of the everyday craft. That’s why it’s so important to know the difference between different fabrics and their characteristics. Let’s take leather as an example. While it might look the same, there are major differences between synthetitc ultra-leather and genuine leather.  

At Rayco Upholstery, we’ve worked with plenty of aircraft clients who understood the importance of using synthetic ultra-leather for the high traffic/ commercial seating situations. If you’re not sure whether you should use ultra-leather instead of genuine leather for your commercial or private aircraft, we’re here to tell you all about it. 

 

5 Benefits of Using Ultra-Leather  

 

 1. DURABILITY and LONGEVITY 

Ultra-leather surfaces are made with a polyurethane molecular structure that acts as a foam barrier providing additional cushioning to your upholstered seating. In addition, ultra-leather exceeds heavy duty industry abrasion standards by more than 13 times and it is also scratch, nick and blemish resistant. 

2. GOOD in EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS 

Ultra-leather does really well in extreme weather conditions as well. It cools 50% faster than genuine leather and 20% faster than vinyl. Moreover, cold temperatures won’t stiffen or crack the fabric like genuine leather or vinyl would. That’s why ultra-leather exceeds the industry standards in wear and tear. 

3. SUSTAINIBILITY 

The fabric doesn’t contain any plasticizers, heavy metals or stabilizers, which means it’s 100% VOC free. In addition, almost 99% of the chemicals used to create this material are also recycled by the manufacturer, which makes it even more environmentally friendly. 

 4. LUXURIOUS LOOK 

Ultra-leather has the luxurious look and feel of the finest European calfskin with durability and resistance to soils and stain on vinyl fabrics. This soft material is a great alternative to genuine leather as it is also tougher than real calfskin and has superior resistance to punctures, snags and rips.

 5. EASY TO CLEAN 

The fabric can easily be cleaned with soap and water. For most soils and stains, the material manufacturer recommends spot treatment with a solution of water and Tide brand laundry detergent or equivalent. More stubborn stains may be treated with a water-based multipurpose cleaner/ degreaser such as simple green or equivalent. Solvent cleaners such as nail polish remover or other aromatic solvents are not recommended. 

 

While Ultra-leather may not be the cheapest solution for upholstery, we truly believe that it’s a great investment due to its durability. Isn’t that what you want from the materials you use anyway? 

 

Ready to invest in professional commercial aircraft upholstery in Delaware or Tri-State area? Call us now! Our staff has over 70 years of combined knowledge and experience in cleaning and repairs. In fact, there probably isn’t a job we have not done! 

 Rayco Upholstery Delaware

302.323.8844 | www.delawareupholstery.com 

 

Pros and Cons of Using Vinyl in Medical Upholstery

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Pros and Cons of Using Vinyl in Medical Upholstery
Working in Medical Upholstery for over two decades, we often get asked what are the best materials to use for the furniture at a healthcare establishment. Since there’s usually many things that we take into consideration for each job, we decided to break it down and share the pros and cons of using one of the most popular upholstery materials – vinyl.

Advantages of Using Vinyl in Medical Upholstery:

  1. Cost-effective – One of the most affordable upholstery materials.
  2. Easy to Clean – Any spills can be easily cleaned with a simple soap and water solution.
  3. Long-lasting – Maintained properly (away from the heat), vinyl remains a strong and stain-resistant surface.
  4. Sanitary surface – Many vinyl materials are designed to prevent growth for potentially harmful mold and bacteria.

Disadvantages of Using Vinyl in Medical Upholstery:

  1. Not attractive – Vinyl is considered to give an institutional feel rather than comfort.
  2. Chemical emission – Vinyl materials that are based on traditional PVC are considered the most toxic.
  3. Difficult to repair – Any tear will have to be patched, and there’s no way to avoid seeing the work.
  4. Poor ventilation – Vinyl is rather stiff and tends to stick to bare skin.

 

As you can see, there are many things to consider when choosing vinyl as your cover material for medical upholstery. Before making your final decision, we highly recommend checking out these two articles on How to Properly Select the Right Cover Materials as well as The Best Cleaning Practices you should know regarding medical upholstery.

 

Ready to invest in professional medical upholstery in Delaware or Tri-State area? Call us now!  Our staff has over 70 years of combined knowledge and experience in cleaning and repairs. In fact, there probably isn’t a job we have not done!

302.323.8844 | www.delawareupholstery.com

3 Reasons Why It’s Important to Invest in Commercial Upholstery

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As business owners, you probably already know that professionally upholstered furniture is an investment worth taking care of. Whether you own a restaurant or bar, the employees and customers use your space every single day. This is one of the main reasons why it’s crucial that the furniture people sit on all the time can endure heavy usage.

Commercial Upholstery DelawareAnother reason why your business should invest in commercial upholstery is the cleaning routine. Furniture at restaurants and bars faces a lot of spills and food mishaps on daily basis, which can cause the upholstery to fade or become discolored if not maintained properly. Having a proved cleaning routine established will ensure your furniture will look, feel, and retain its quality much longer.

Let’s not forget about staying on brand. You don’t want your customers to walk into your place of business and have a feeling like nothing makes sense inside, do you? If the furniture at your restaurant or bar is outdated or does not mirror your current branding, it might be time to hire professionals to update the commercial upholstery for you.

3 Reasons Why It's Important to Invest in Commercial UpholsteryThat being said, Rayco’s Commercial Upholstery Department provides our clients with superior upholstery restorations from bar stools to restaurant booths and dining chairs. We offer hundreds of color fabrics with choices from cloths, leather and vinyl. Our staff has over 70 years of combined knowledge and experience in commercial upholstery cleaning and repairs. In fact, there probably isn’t a job we have not done!

Ready to upholster your commercial furniture in Delaware or Tri-State area? Call us now!

Rayco Upholstery Delaware

302.323.8844 | www.delawareupholstery.com

 

Anatomy of a Convertible Top: Where to Buy it and Why

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Anatomy of a Convertible Top Where to Buy it and WhyHaving almost 60 years of combined experience in classic car upholstery, here at Rayco we take pride in educating our customers and answering any questions they may have.

We know taking care of your classic car can be much sometimes. Especially, when it comes to upholstery. That is why we reached out to our trusted supplier – Electron Top Manufacturing Company – to talk all things convertible top.

 

 One of the least expensive tops you can buy is one that fits properly.

recited by Harold Pitman of Harold Pittmanns trim Piedmont, SC

Anatomy of a convertible top

Convertibles tops face a myriad of natural elements: snow, UV light, wind, high speeds, rain and cold temperatures, so it is imperative that the construction of the materials used in producing a convertible top are adequate and able to hold up.

Convertible tops, like clothing, rely on the quality of materials used and how good the patterns were made to fit the different body types/cars and the manner in which they were constructed. Needless to say, reinforcements are a must for areas of a convertible top that receive the most wear and tear.

convertible top installation Rayco Upholstery Delaware

When you buy a top online…

When you purchase a top online with the intention of bringing it to an upholsterer to install, it is similar to bringing your own food to a restaurant and asking them to cook it. Yes, the upholsterers mark up they make on the products but that is only to ensure you will receive a warrantee for the product they supply. They will be willing to handle any problems you may have in the future and they will do their best to make sure you are happy with the job they do.

Reputable Upholsterers are fair and interested in maintaining their reputation. It is best to let them get the product for you. In addition, Upholsterers establish relationships with their manufacturers. If something goes awry with the product they have recommended, they have the responsibility of getting it taken care of with their supplier for you.

convertible top installation Rayco Upholstery

Who will install it?

Upholstery shops are Craftsman that have spent their career learning to install convertible tops and do upholstery. They have built their reputation on the quality of their work and the quality of the products they supply. You can be sure they will use a convertible top that fits right and will hold up through their warrantee. Tops that fail cost upholstery shops both time and money.

What should a car owner do when they need their top replaced?

Find upholstery shops in your area, visit with them, ask questions and educate yourself. Question them as to how long they have been doing this kind of work, what is their warrantee, whose convertible tops do they use and why?

 

Ready to upholster your classic car in Delaware or Tri-State area? Call us now!  Our staff has over 70 years of combined knowledge and experience in auto upholstery cleaning and repairs. In fact, there probably isn’t a job we have not done!

302.323.8844 | www.delawareupholstery.com

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Family owned and operated for forty years, Rayco strictly become an upholstery shop in 2011 and no longer does mechanical repair. We upholster autos, boats, medical, commercial and industrial furnishings.

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We upholster custom interiors for cars, boats, commercial, industrial and medical. Convertible tops, leather installs and repairs. Boat canvas and tops replacement and repairs. Medical facilities, refineries, restaurants, boat and auto carpet, headliners, etc..  
 
302.323.8844 info@delawareupholstery.com

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