Reupholster Boat Side Panels the Easy Way

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You may not consider them much, but side panels are an important part of your boat's upholstery. By covering the panels to match the rest of your boat's seating area, you can make the whole interior look cohesive and finished. And the best part is that side panels are quick and easy to redo! In this Malibu Sport Boat Makeover Series video, we'll teach you how to transform these often overlooked panels into showpieces on your boat.

Video Chapters:

Intro — 0:00 min.
Removing Old Vinyl Fabric — 0:46 min.
Repairing Old Foam — 3:56 min.
Patterning Armrest — 13:38 min.
Sewing Armrest Fabric — 20:02 min.
Stapling Armrest Fabric to Base — 25:01 min.
Cutting Side Panel Fabric to Size — 29:34 min.
Sewing Piping on Contrasting Colored Panel — 33:19 min.
Stapling Panel Fabric to Base — 35:07 min.
Stapling Piping on Edges & Reassembly — 44:51 min.
Materials & Tools List — 47:30 min.

Materials List:

Headliner Adhesive 13 oz. (#123288)
Fabric Backed Sew Foam 58" (#124306)
Dura-Skrim^® Patterning Material 74" (#103134)
EverSoft™ Indoor/Outdoor Black 54" Vinyl Fabric (#122217)
Super 88 Spray Adhesive 13 oz. (#123287)
Tex 90 UV Bonded Polyester Thread — Choose a color
21 Gauge 3/8" (10mm) Staples 10,000/Box (Stainless Steel) (#8010SS)
CushionRite^® Standard Antimicrobial Foam (Soft) (#124216)
EverSoft™ Indoor/Outdoor Teak 54" Vinyl Fabric (#122218)
EverSoft™ Vinyl Welting / Piping Black (#122597)

Tools List:

Staple Lifter (#120037)
Gingher^® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8" (#101017)
Sailrite^® Deluxe Fabricator^® Sewing Machine Package (110V) (#400600)
Fabric Edge Match Pliers (#123498)
Deluxe 5-1/2" Magnetic Sewing Guide (#103597)
Sailrite^® Short Nose Upholstery Staple Gun (#121410)
Sailrite^® Foam Shaper (#123583)
Sailrite^® Blade Foam Saw V2 with Carrying Case (110V) (#121244)
Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" (#102400)
Scribe-All^® Black Marking Pencil for Vinyl (#121977)
Cording Foot Set 1/4" for Fabricator^® (#400414)
Scratch Awl Yellow (#235411)
Pliers, Electric Kitchen Knife, Marker, Pen, Razor

Easy DIY Boat Side Panel Reupholstery 2 — We'll teach you how to reupholster boat interior panels with features like curves, speakers and armrests.

Like most of the other projects in this series, this upholstery DIY involves cushion foam. The foam in our side panels was still in good shape except for a few minor flaws, so we didn't have to replace it. Instead, this project video will show you how to repair small flaws in foam such as slight compression or tears. Of course, if the foam in your project is moldy, excessively compressed or torn beyond repair, you will want to replace it. We'll help you determine whether to repair or replace the foam in your side panels.

If you've been following along with this marine makeover series, then you know that you don't have to be an expert to do boat upholstery projects. That's certainly the case with this easy DIY! Our helpful how-to video will walk you through all the steps for overhauling the side panels on your boat, from removing the old fabric to adding decorative piping to the finished panel's edges. Grab your materials and join us in this easy boat upholstery how-to!

How did your boat panel project go? Leave a comment down below to tell us how you did. And don't miss out on refreshing all of your boat's upholstery! Check out our Malibu Sport Boat Makeover Series for videos on redoing an engine cover, installing woven vinyl flooring, reupholstering seat cushions and more.