I refer my customers to this website for Sunbrella samples., etc.

http://www.outdoorfabrics.com/

YMMV,

Mr. BZ-not sure about interior auto upholstery however

On Feb 1, 2011, at 4:14 PM, Joe T. wrote:

> Mine's an '85 Wolfsburg Westy so I'm definitely looking for an earth-tone,
> although I wish that Boogie Woogie VW fabric from the early, early Vanagon
> Westies was still available (and not prohibitively expensive like what they
> had recently at Bus Depot.)
>
> Doesn't Sunbrella make a bunch of different levels of fabric?  I'll admit
> that I have no idea what I'm talking about.
>
> Joe T.
>
> On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 1:16 PM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Sunbrella on an interior? Not for me! It's pretty flimsy stuff and
>> besides, it's more expensive than most auto upholstery I've dealt
>> with.
>>
>> You want  something really heavy for that rear. If you have an older
>> westy like mine, you'll be glad to know that those unobtainable browns
>> are back in style after all the decades. Not those neutral tones of a
>> few years back but rich, dark chocolatey BROWNS.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 1:43 PM, Joe T. <vanagon85@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hi Jonce,
>>>
>>> Thanks for the info!  Since reading your email, I've been giving myself a
>>> crash course in fabric education, reading about FMVSS-302 and
>>> lightfastness.  I've found lots of fabric online that meets spec, but
>> can't
>>> see buying it without knowing what it feels like.
>>>
>>> I'm told there are a few auto fabric places around Denver so I'm going to
>>> check them out as soon as it warms up a bit.
>>>
>>> I did meet a guy with a Westfalia who had redone his rear bench with
>>> Sunbrella fabric.  It looked good and wasn't too vinyl-ish.  I'm thinking
>>> about looking into that as well.
>>>
>>> Thanks again.
>>> Joe
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 6:46 PM, Jonce Fancher <streetbugs@frontier.com
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi
>>>> If going to a fabric store you may not find fabrics with UV protection.
>>>> There are Auto Upholstery fabrics that will give much better performance
>> for
>>>> the rigors of Auto needs. Do a bit of research before dropping coin and
>> time
>>>> on something that will just turn to crap in no time flat.
>>>> Have fun!
>>>> Jonce
>>>> BTW a rule of thumb is if it has a MVSS-302 usually it will work just
>> fine
>>>> for auto but make sure it has a lightfastness of MANY hours in the sun.
>> Hate
>>>> to see your work fade into dust!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> This is a very timely topic...
>>>>>
>>>>> My mother-in-law and I are heading to the fabric store next weekend to
>>>>> pick
>>>>> out the new interior for my Vanagon.  She's offered to teach me how to
>> do
>>>>> the whole thing. I'm very excited to get into upholstery and to learn a
>>>>> new
>>>>> skill!
>>>>>
>>>>> Joe T.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sat, Jan 29, 2011 at 9:18 AM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net>
>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> ---- Mark Dearing <VWBrain@AOL.COM> wrote:
>>>>>>> In a message dated 1/29/2011 10:40:34 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
>>>>>>> fonman4277@COMCAST.NET writes:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I am one  of seven siblings
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> hey david  I am also 0ne of seven.  my father flew P38s during  WW2
>> ,
>>>>>>> became chief of construction on the N&W railway , got into VW
>> buses
>>>>>> cause it
>>>>>>> was the only thing that could carry all of the family.  he  is the
>>>>> only
>>>>>> person
>>>>>>> I know that has flipped 2 buses. Course we had to learn how  to fix
>>>>> them,
>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> rebuilt my first engine at 14 , was driving them even earlier
>> around
>>>>> the
>>>>>>> neighborhood and woods. Unlike jeff I really miss my father, he
>> would
>>>>>> love
>>>>>>> my vanagon westy. later  mark d
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Well, unlike most on this list, I am not deep into mechanics, but the
>>>>>> basics were required when we were kids, and I required them of my
>>>>> daughter.
>>>>>> but I go to a pro for anything beyond basics.  I do carry a tool kit
>>>>> with
>>>>>> me, and by having the camper in tip top shape on departure for a
>> trip, I
>>>>> can
>>>>>> keep it going and usually get out of a jam (haven't really had much
>> in
>>>>> the
>>>>>> way of a jam, just some concerns that have never gotten me stuck
>>>>> somewhere
>>>>>> for long).  But getting into transmissions and engine innards, or
>> even
>>>>> r&r
>>>>>> major parts, I generally don't do it.  When I needed a radiator, I
>> had
>>>>> it
>>>>>> done at a shop.  I'll be adding an external oil cooler from "ten cent
>>>>> life
>>>>>> before summer," and I don't know right now whether I'll do it myself
>> or
>>>>> hire
>>>>>> it out.  I do have a great guy who doesn't mind that I do a few
>> things
>>>>>> myself who does my heavy stuff.  He will even advise me on things I
>> do
>>>>>> myself.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> mcneely
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Joe T.
>>>>> '85 Wolfsburg Westy Subie 2.2
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Joe T.
>>> '85 Wolfsburg Westy Subie 2.2
>>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Joe T.
> '85 Wolfsburg Westy Subie 2.2