Rayco Upholstery

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


Everything You Need to Know About Transit Upholstery

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Everything You Need to Know About Transit Upholstery

Working with transit upholstery requires a lot of skill and knowledge, not to mention great materials. After all, durability and abrasion resistance due to high everyday usage is so crucial in this department.  

If you want to learn more about what working with transit upholstery entails, keep reading! 

Transit Seating Materials 

When it comes to transit upholstery, it all starts with the right fabric. Since people will get in and out of the mass transit vehicle repeatedly, the materials you use need to be able take thousands of rubs a day. Apart from durability and abrasion resistance, the fabrics you choose for transit should also be easy to clean, stain/ soil/ flame resistant, plus moisture repellent with colorfastness and antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. It’s also worth mentioning that any materials being exposed to UV light for hours on end will also suffer if they’re not resistant enough. 

What material would we recommend? In our opinion, vinyl meets all of the above requirements being so durable, comfortable and easy to maintain.  

Design 

Let’s be honest here. The good looks often get neglected in commercial transit upholstery because what matters most is uniformity. Another contributing factor is budget. However, there are companies who like to invest in the look they want, and they care more about specific colors, materials and logo placement.  

Fun fact: Do you know why some transit materials feature a lot of busy patterns? Because it’s easier to hide stains that way!  

Transit Upholstery 

Doing upholstering for mass transit vehicles requires a lot of knowledge about the industry standards, let alone a professional skill set.  According to this article, “you need to be able to balance aesthetics, both in color and design, with durability and robustness that are beyond normal furniture or upholstery norms.” Another important thing to take into consideration is the expected life span of mass transit seating. The seats you’re upholstering should be able to last up to 12 years, although realistically the fabrics are usually being replaced within 5 to 10 years. 

 

There you have it! For more tips and interesting facts about different kinds of upholstery and the industry, visit our NEWS section! 

 

Need help with transit upholstery? Call us today!  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   

How to Care for Your Clear Plastic Boat Windows 

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how to care for plastic boat windows

Boating season is almost here and we couldn’t be more excited! Is your boat in a top-notch shape?  

With over 65 years in business, Rayco Upholstery technicians have possibly seen every scenario in boat upholstery. Since proper care is crucial in extending your boat’s life span, in today’s post we want to share our knowledge with you. If you want to learn how to care for your clear plastic boat windows, otherwise known as eisenglass to boaters, please keep reading. 

 

How to Care for Your Clear Plastic Boat Windows 

 

  1.  When using chemicals to clean your boat, be careful around vinyl! Splashing will cause damage on the clear surfaces. For cleaning eisenglass, use proper products designed for the job. The good choices are: Plexus, Imar, 210, and Davies Klear to Sea. Stay away from Coleman fuel, Rain-X and such. 
  2. Check if it’s time to replace your old vinyl. If your snaps, fabric and zippers are still in good condition, it’s going to be less expensive than replacing the entire enclosure. 
  3. Store your boat enclosure panels clean and dry. You can use sheets or towels in between them.
  4. Always keep your canvas snapped into place when you’re not using you boat. This will slow down any shrinking and keep your vinyl wrinkle free. 

  

boat upholstery care tipsIn addition, when caring for plastic boat windows, remember that burns, UV degradation and scratches cannot be removed from clear vinyl. In fact, even light scratches can be improved but never fully removed. When it comes to indentations caused by storage, those usually come out of plastic over time. Last but not least, 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  

 

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

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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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