Rayco Upholstery

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


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

What You Should Know about Classic Auto Upholstery and Interiors

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What You Should Know about Classic Auto Upholstery and InteriorsCaring for your classic cars such as convertibles comes with a lot of responsibility. Especially, if you love your car just as much as your child and you are not new to regular visits at the upholstery shop.

Truthfully, custom upholstery can be expensive, but there’s always ways to save money while still getting that quality job you need done properly.

Today, our experts share 4 things you should know about Classic Auto Upholstery and Interiors.

What You Should Know About Classic Auto Upholstery

 

  1. Plan ahead. Finding an upholstery shop early on in the process will ensure you get a better cost estimation, along with an experienced interior craftsman who can provide pointers on making sure body fabrication or paint work will match up with the interior work.
  2. Find the Right Upholstery Shop. It’s important to choose an auto upholstery shop that can back up its work. Check out the shop, talk to the owner or the manager, see the experts on site and if possible, do some research to find photos of their past work. The most trust-worthy and qualified upholstery shops will be happy to talk to you before you decide to go with their service.
  3. Use Quality Materials. Our #1 advice – DO NOT think you can save money on the materials that you bring to the shop on your own. More often than not, it will end up costing you more than you thought. Nobody will know better on what kind of covering materials your car will need to make it look and work best than the upholstery experts at the shop. If you decide to go with your own materials and something goes wrong, you’re on your own.
  4. Don’t Forget about the Upkeep. Getting your upholstery work at the shop doesn’t mean you’re done caring for your car. If you want to save yourself more material maintenance trips to the shop in the future, make sure to not smoke in your car, clean any spills as soon as they happen and of course, invest in professional detailing. All those steps will ensue your car will preserve the interior and keep its value.

For more information on how to prepare your classic car for upholstery, read this article.

 

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!

Rayco Upholstery has been a family owned and operated business for over 40 years.  We are A+ rated with the BBB and are a member of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce.

302.323.8844 | www.delawareupholstery.com

3 Reasons Why Fall Is the Best Time to Take Care of Boat Upholstery

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3 Reasons Why Fall Is the Best Time to Take Care of Boat UpholsteryDo you have any boat upholstery that needs to be sewn or replaced? Or, perhaps you have canvas that needs to be repaired or renewed? If you’re looking for a professional advice in this department, we say: DO IT NOW. It’s never too early to be ready for the upcoming boating season.

With over 40 years of experience in upholstery business, we know more than anything that it’s never good to put off any upholstery work. Especially, when it comes to marine equipment. In today’s post, we’d like to talk about 3 reasons why fall is the best time to take care of your boat upholstery.

 

3 Reasons Why Fall Is the Best Time to Take Care of Boat Upholstery

 

  1. Fix it before you dock it. It’s a simple and highly effective rule. Taking care of all your boat upholstery repairs before you store the boat for the winter season, will protect you from any unnecessary surprises come spring. In our opinion, it’s never too early to start gearing up for the next boating season.
  2. Off season advantages. If you bring a boat to your favorite upholstery experts in the fall (or early winter), it will not only lighten their workload in the upcoming spring, but will also give some work to people during off season. Plus, you’ll have the boat ready before spring launch! No more missed boating days waiting in line to finish your upholstery.
  3. Price. While there’s no promises in this department, it is very likely that an upholstery shop will give you a better price for your repairs during off season. It’s always smart to call in and ask for any discounts.

 

Needless to say, NOW is the time to get any of your marine upholstery projects underway. Who wouldn’t want to sleep better knowing that their boat is tucked away safe, shiny and new anyway?

 

Final notes

AVOID THE SPRING RUSH at all costs.

 

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

Rayco Upholstery has been a family owned and operated business for over 40 years.  We are A+ rated with the BBB and are a member of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce.

302.323.8844 | delawareupholstery.com

 

Everything You Need to Know about Cleaning and Maintaining Medical Furniture Upholstery

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When it comes to Medical Furniture Upholstery, a regular cleaning routine and maintenance should be considered critical at any health care facility. Even more so, it should be a part of one’s environmental services program.

Last month, we explained how to choose the right cover materials for your medical furniture upholstery. Now, it’s time to discuss how to care for such textiles. In today’s post, we will evaluate safety and hygiene importance, determine schedules for cleaning, and how to implement proper cleaning methods.

 

Controlling soil Everything You Need to Know about Cleaning and Maintaining Medical Furniture Upholstery

The most susceptible parts of the upholstered furniture when it comes to soiling are arms and seat cushions.

Special care should also involve the upper inside back, headrests, pillows and skirt. In order to prolong fabric’s life and appearance, we recommend:

  1. Dry soil removal.It is crucial to make vacuuming and brushing upholstery your top priority so much that it becomes a routine. Removing dust and dry soil (hair, lint, particle soil, and debris) will enhance not only the appearance of the fabric, but it will also prolong its life. Also, soil vacuumed from the fabric must not be allowed to re-enter the air within the structure and contribute to indoor environmental pollution.
  2. Immediate spotting. We cannot stress this one enough – immediate spot cleaning is essential. Most spots and spills can be easily removed with plain water or neutral spotters. If neglected, these spots or components will bond to fibers, possibly resulting in permanent stains.

 

Cleaning frequency

Depending on the furniture’s location, use and exposure to soiling, upholstery should be cleaned approximately every 6 to 12 months. Needless to say, cleaning medical furniture used for patients with allergies or severe respiratory sensitivity should be considered a top priority at health care facilities.

As we mentioned before, the immediate spot cleaning is essential. As a rule, the greater the soiling, the less the likelihood of restoring the original color, appearance and texture of the fabric. Not to mention, the greater the adverse effect on indoor air quality.

 

Cleaning methods.

In order to properly clean upholstery materials, you first need to inspect the fabric. That includes: testing the dye, removing dry soil, suspending the soil by using a chemical action, heat, agitation and time, removing the soil, setting the pile, and drying.

Types of Cleaning Methods:

  1. Absorbent compound.This method includes a minimum moisture system used to clean moisture-sensitive or non-colorfast fabrics.
  2. Dry foam cleaning.Also known as shampoo cleaning, this is a method of cleaning that follows dry soil removal through vacuuming. After the dry soil removal, a foaming detergent is applied using sprayers, sponges or hand/ mechanical brush action.
  3. Hot water extraction cleaning.Hot water extraction, or steam cleaning, is a method that begins with dry soil removal followed by preconditioning. Then, hot water is applied to the fabric with detergent from a holding tank and extracted.
  4. Leather cleaning.When cleaning finished leather, the primary concern is control of the pH of the cleaning agent and application so that the finish is not damaged and natural oils in the leather are not removed.

 

WORDS TO THE WISE

 It is much less expensive to keep upholstery clean than it is to replace it.

For more information on maintenance of upholstered fabrics, please take time to read this Standard and Reference Guide for Pro­fessional Upholstery Cleaning, presented in The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) S300.

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Still not sure what to choose for your medical facility in Delaware or Tri-State area? Call us now!  With over 65 years in medical furniture cleaning and repairs, there probably isn’t a job we have not done!

Rayco Upholstery has been a family owned and operated business for over 40 years.  We are A+ rated with the BBB and are a member of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce.

302.323.8844 | www.delawareupholstery.com

How to Select the Right Cover Materials for Medical Furniture Upholstery

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Clean and most importantly, sterile medical furniture is a significant part of running a successful facility. Controlling contaminants in upholstery should be considered one of the top priorities for medical management, because it’s crucial to the health of the patients and employees. Not to mention, it prolong the furnishing’s life.

However, right cleaning upholstery techniques are only one step in making sure you’re getting the most out for your furniture. What should be considered way before cleaning upholstery is how to select the right cover materials in the first place.

How to Select the Right Cover Materials

The quality of upholstery and its maintenance lies within the right textiles. In general, synthetic fibers are said to be more resilient and less likely to sustain damage than natural fibers. If you’re selecting upholstery fabrics for medical facilities, you should consider fibers that are:

  1. Nonpolluting. Olefin – chemically inert and resistant to fungi.
  2. Easy to be cleaned. Polyester – typically great spotting and cleaning results.
  3. Durable and Heat Resistant. Nylon – it resists most diluted solutions of bleaches
  4. Strong and Abrasion-resistant. Polyester – considered dimensionally stable.
  5. Water and oil resistant. Acrylic – it resists both water and oil.

How to Select the Right Cover Materials for Medical Furniture Upholstery Rayco Upholstery Delaware

Another factor that should be taken into consideration is colorfastness, meaning how the fiber resists to lose its color during cleaning or exposure to ultraviolet light. Acrylic is one of those materials that are extremely color fast.

Lastly, what about the color selection? For medical furniture, it is recommended that the chosen materials are not too light or too dark, so the soiling doesn’t become apparent too quickly.

Ideally, you should aim to work with materials that offer it all. That is why Olefin, Polyester, Nylon and Acrylic are some of the most used synthetics in medical furnishing.

 

Still not sure what to choose for your medical facility in Delaware or Tri-State area? Call us now!  With over 65 years in medical furniture cleaning and repairs, there probably isn’t a job we have not done!

 

Rayco Upholstery has been a family owned and operated business for over 40 years.  We are A+ rated with the BBB and are a member of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce.

 

302.323.8844 | www.delawareupholstery.com

Rayco Upholstery Delaware

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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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