How to Cover Something in Vinyl - Page 2

You will either be using a bare piece of vinyl or a prepared one (as we did in this exercise). If you're cutting material from a bulk piece leave several inches extra on all edges to be sure you will have enough to stretch around. Now go find some clamps, such as large paper clamps (binder clips) or small spring clamps. The more the better, so don't skimp.

Lay out the vinyl and take the time to let it rest and lose any folds or creases. It's best to keep the room temperature above 70 degrees for this purpose, although you can warm it gently with a hair dryer. Next, clip one end of the piece to the end of the armrest and then pull the other end taut. Don't stretch too much, but don't allow any sags either. When you are satisfied that the piece is stretched straight, clamp the other end.

The piece is stretched and clamped on the ends. Notice that it is already starting to conform to the shape of the armrest.

Now move to the center area of the piece and gently pull the vinyl over the edge of the armrest. Clamp it in place after minimizing any pulls or wrinkles.

Whether it's at the ends or the sides, always start in the center of a project when stretching fabric. It will work better than any other method.

Go to the opposite side of the piece and pull the vinyl tight, and clamp in place.

Now you have to work your way around the armrest. From the clamp in the center, split the distance to either end and pull and clamp the material. Do so on the opposite side as you go, and keep it up until you've worked out all wrinkles and puckers. Patience will be rewarded here, and don't be afraid to take sections loose and redo them.

We're almost there!

Once you've achieved the look you want you need to glue (or staple, in cases where the armrest is wood or is fitted with tack strips) the edges in place. Lift the edges on the top or bottom and brush contact cement on both surfaces, then place popsicle sticks or wax paper between them until the cement tacks up, about 15 minutes. Then, working from the center out, pull gently and press the surfaces together. Once that side is done you can go to the other and repeat the process. If you have to peel back cemented areas due to a sag or wrinkle, heat it with a hair dryer enough to release the cement. You will have to reapply more cement to glue the pieces back together.

We're almost there!

Now that's pretty good, and we can iron out any residual wrinkles with a heat gun once everything is fastened to the door.

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