Community Forums

Pine Grove · 07-19-2011, 06:50 PM

We just purchased a 1975 MiniWinni. I'll call it a 'handyman special'. Overall it is not in terrible shape but needs a lot of small things.
All the cushions (foam and fabric) should be replaced. I could do an amateurs job and make them myself but my wife would be happier with professionally made cushions.
Does anyone have a suggestion as to who could do this work for a reasonable price?

I also need a replacement air conditioner. The old one didn't work and caused a roof leak which is why the previous owner eliminated it. I'll install it myself, just need a reasonably priced unit.

4Knights · 07-19-2011, 09:21 PM

Best place in the world for the absolute rock bottom prices is a Goodwill industries service center.
Check your local directory for one or for a school for the blind.
Absolutely incredible work! You can bring in your own fabric- they will tell you how much you need to buy. Or you can buy theirs.
We had a recliner completely recovered with new foam as well(right after the cat was declawed). Cost 100 bucks plus fabric. The man that did the work was completely blind and was also redoing the interior of a beautiful MG -A, leather everything including dash, trim, seats and convertible top.

GOLDWINGER2 · 07-19-2011, 09:25 PM

I never knew that, thx!
J

greggholmes · 07-19-2011, 10:39 PM

there are alot of online places

http://www.top20sites.com/Top-Cushion-Foam-Sites

Custom Made Dinette And Gaucho Cushions For RVs And Trailers

covers

http://www.rvandvansurplus.com/barga...tockFurniture#

instock

whem2fish · 07-20-2011, 04:52 AM

i never knew that either i paid $65 a hour to recover boat seats

Senior Chief · 07-20-2011, 12:10 PM

Try Craigslist for both the upholstery and the air conditioner, if you haven't already.

4Knights · 07-20-2011, 04:31 PM

Whem2fish & goldwinger2,
we only found it out by chance, needed the work done and stopped at a furniture store. Nice lady inside said go next door, we did and was amazed! The one we went to was in Lawton, OK. I know there are a couple in Denver area and one in Kansas City but I'm sure most major cities will have a number of training centers.

Just like my first car,(16 yo and it was a junker) had no idea how to do body work or paint so I asked the high school shop teacher and he said no but the vo tech might do it as a class project I paid for parts and ended up with a shiney new 66 Rambler Rebel Classic 2 door $300.00 out the door

2 weeks later lost my license for a year and the car went with it. Smart parents- I can say that now but not then!

RonS1985 · 07-21-2011, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pine Grove

We just purchased a 1975 MiniWinni. I'll call it a 'handyman special'. Overall it is not in terrible shape but needs a lot of small things.
All the cushions (foam and fabric) should be replaced. I could do an amateurs job and make them myself but my wife would be happier with professionally made cushions.
Does anyone have a suggestion as to who could do this work for a reasonable price?

I also need a replacement air conditioner. The old one didn't work and caused a roof leak which is why the previous owner eliminated it. I'll install it myself, just need a reasonably priced unit.

Try eBay first, but also try a furniture restoration shop.

RonS1985 · 07-21-2011, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Knights

Best place in the world for the absolute rock bottom prices is a Goodwill industries service center.
Check your local directory for one or for a school for the blind.
Absolutely incredible work! You can bring in your own fabric- they will tell you how much you need to buy. Or you can buy theirs.
We had a recliner completely recovered with new foam as well(right after the cat was declawed). Cost 100 bucks plus fabric. The man that did the work was completely blind and was also redoing the interior of a beautiful MG -A, leather everything including dash, trim, seats and convertible top.

Yes indeedy! I forgot all about that. In my state (Delaware) we have a state-owned psychiatric hospital and maximum security prison (as do most states). Both of them have furniture restoration shops. They do awesome work and at rock-bottom prices (inmates only make about $.35 per hour). Try that.

4Knights · 07-21-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonS1985

Yes indeedy! I forgot all about that. In my state (Delaware) we have a state-owned psychiatric hospital and maximum security prison (as do most states). Both of them have furniture restoration shops. They do awesome work and at rock-bottom prices (inmates only make about $.35 per hour). Try that.

I'd say .35 cents an hour is too much! They should be trained as RV techs and provide free service around the country or chain gangs to decrease road maintenance costs. They do good work, the prison at FT Leavenworth used to do a lot more than they do now, not sure why the cut backs it's not like there are less folks entering the system.

Senior Chief · 07-22-2011, 06:26 AM

The legal costs of defending the lawsuits brought by altruistic lawyers for the poor overworked inmates (AKA convicted criminals) is dauntingly high for road maintenance. The inmates could possibly miss watching Judge Judy or other important legal issues if forced to work.