Experience W/ Nautique Skins Process

[Kevin_B]

I have read about Nautique Skins and have seen a variety of mixed reviews. From what I have gathered you order the skin they ship it out and I would do the installation myself. Am I correct in thinking this???

Is this difficult to do or can a guy with no experience complete this successfully?

Any ideas if they sell replacement foam if you need it? Thanks In advance

[bmh2208]

RE: Experience W/ Nautique Skins Process

I haven't done the replacement yet, but I have pulled back some of the upholstery for speakers purposes. It is fairly easy. There are many staples to pull out which are hard at times because they are embedded into the fiberglass. Probably the most important thing when putting it back on is having the right tools. You need to make sure you have a real pneumatic stapler with stainless steel staples. The hand held ones will not work.

[DavidF]

RE: Experience W/ Nautique Skins Process

You have three choices:
1. Take your boat to Nautique Skins and have them install the skins.
2. Take your boat and new skins to a local upholsterer for installation.
3. DIY.

I went the DIY route and had good results. Not trying to brag, but I consider myself an experienced DIY'er at many tasks. Having done ground up restoration on many cars and boats, I consider myself qaulified. With that said, the install was more diffilcult than I expected. yes, I made a few mistakes earlier on. Also, the task is extremely time consuming. Do a search and you will probably find some of the pointers that I learned along the way. And as said above, do not even try this without a pneumatic stapler. You will end up pulling and installing several thousand staples.

[bchesley]

RE: Experience W/ Nautique Skins Process

I purchased a couple skins from them and had really good luck with the product. I fortunately have a buddy who is an exemployee of correct craft that has his own shop now. He put my skins on and made it look really easy. I have though installed skins in an older nautique many years ago. I had a 83 2001 that I ordered a complete set of skins for and installed myself. Like every one else has said having the right tools is really critical. It can be done, but patience is the most important thing.

[east tx skier]

You can save a little money, even if you are having someone else install the skins if you remove the old skins yourself.

Tools req'd:

1. Flat head screwdriver
2. Needle nose pliers
3. Beer

[Chexi]

If you are installing yourself, get a flathead screwdriver with a very head. The staples you will be putting in will in all likelihood be smaller (narrower crown) than CC used (note CC used about 3 different size staples on mine). And you will be pulling some of the staples you put in as you re-adjust things. I found that a small narrow flathead worked the best, even better than the curved staple-removers that look kind of like screwdrivers.

All that said, having done this myself, I would not do it myself again. I did this over May-July on my boat and I think my wrist finally stopped hurting from pulling staples about 2 weeks ago. The twisting action did a number on me. Perhaps if you just get it pulled straight and then use a need nose pliers on every staple, you will not suffer my fate.

After seeing how long it took me (someone who had never done it before), I also value my time more than the time I ended up spending.

[coinless]

I had a local shop do it cheeper than just the skins from nautique. Looks great and they even fixed a few other minor issues.

[Chexi]

Coinless, can you PM the name of that local shop (since I am close to you)? It's always good to have options. I wonder if they do carpeting.

[DavidF]

BTW, I found side cutters (wire cutters) worked better than needle nose pliers to pull the staples (after the staples where loosened with the screw driver).

[coinless]

Lonestar Custom Upholstery * (972) 420-8582 675 Hembry St, Lewisville, TX 75057

[Chexi]

Thank you.

[TRST]

Anyone have a source for Stainless Steel staples? Last time I tried I came up empty for my 18 gauge pneumatic stapler. The closest thing I could find was galvenized.

[dip]

TRST,
Check FastenerUSA.com or call them at 877.593.2723.
If you call they are pretty helpful. I didn't see the size I was looking for online, so I called, told them my stapler model and brand, and they directed me to the correct staples. In my case, the match didn't look exact, but they assured me they would work and they have.

[TRST]

Thanks for the source that's what i was looking for.

[DavidF]

I used a pneumatic T50 stapler. SS and Monel staples available at Home Depot.