Professional Boat & Marine Upholstery Services
Restore your watercraft with expert marine upholstery built to withstand sun, water, and Texas lake life. Specialized materials, superior craftsmanship.
Expert Marine Upholstery for DFW Boaters
Life on DFW’s beautiful lakes demands upholstery that can withstand intense Texas sun, water exposure, mildew, and constant use. My Upholstery Guys specializes in marine upholstery solutions that combine durability with style, keeping your boat looking great and performing beautifully season after season. Our marine craftsmen understand the unique challenges of the boating environment and use specialized materials and techniques specifically engineered for watercraft applications. Whether you’re dealing with sun-faded pontoon seats, torn boat cushions, or mildew-damaged interiors, we have the expertise to restore your vessel to excellent condition.
We serve boat owners throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area who demand quality marine upholstery that performs as good as it looks. From fishing boats to luxury cruisers, pontoons to ski boats, our team delivers professional results using marine-grade materials designed to resist UV damage, repel water, and resist mold and mildew growth. We understand that your boat represents a significant in vestment and a source of enjoyment for your family, and we treat every marine project with the care and precision it deserves.
Common Marine Upholstery Issues
Marine environments are particularly harsh on upholstery.
Sun and UV Damage
Sun and UV damage is the most prevalent issue, with intense Texas sun causing vinyl to fade, crack, and become brittle over time. UV-damaged upholstery loses its appearance and structural integrity.
Water Damage and Mildew
Water damage and mildew occur when moisture penetrates seams or accumulates in foam, creating ideal conditions for mold and mildew growth that causes discoloration, odors, and material degradation.
Wear and tear from use
Wear and tear from use includes tears in seating from hooks and equipment, worn areas from frequent contact, and deteriorated stitching from constant stress and exposure.
Weathering and Cracking
Weathering and cracking affect older marine vinyl, causing surface cracks that allow moisture intrusion and lead to more extensive damage if not addressed promptly.
The good news is that professional marine upholstery restoration addresses all these issues, often at a fraction of the cost of new seating. Our restoration process not only repairs visible damage but also upgrades your boat with materials superior to most original equipment, providing better longevity and performance for years to come.
Our Marine Upholstery Services
Pontoon Seat Restoration
Pontoon boats are tremendously popular on DFW lakes, and their seating takes serious abuse from sun and use. We specialize in complete pontoon seat restoration, including recovering damaged seating in marine-grade vinyl, replacing foam with marine-specific closed-cell options that resist water absorption, rebuilding seat frames and bases as needed, and creating custom configurations for unique lay outs. Our pontoon seat work transforms tired, uncomfortable seating into fresh, inviting spaces perfect for family days on the water.
Boat Seat Reupholstery
We recover and restore all types of boat seating including captain’s chairs, bench seats, fishing seats, sun pads, and bow seating. Our boat seat reupholstery process includes removing old, damaged ma terials, assessing and repairing structural components, replacing foam with appropriate marine-grade foam, and installing new marine vinyl with reinforced stitching. We can match existing colors and patterns or update your boat’s interior with fresh styling.
Custom Marine Cushion Fabrication
Every boat is unique, and sometimes standard solutions don’t fit. Our custom marine cushion fabrica tion service creates made-to-measure cushions for unusual spaces, replacement cushions for discon tinued boat models, decorative throw pillows with marine fabrics, and custom bolster cushions for en hanced comfort and style. We template and fabricate each custom piece to ensure perfect fit and professional appearance.
Boat Interior Restoration
Beyond seating, we restore complete boat interiors including cabin upholstery, headliners, wall panels, and custom treatments for cuddy cabins and sleeping areas. For larger cruisers and cabin boats, we can create comprehensive interior updates that transform the entire onboard experience.
Materials & Options for Marine Upholstery
Marine environments are particularly harsh on upholstery.
Marine-grade vinyl is our primary material, featuring UV inhibitors that prevent fading and cracking, water-repellent properties that help moisture bead and run off, mold and mildew resistance through antimicrobial treatments, and superior tensile strength for durability against tears and punctures. We stock marine vinyl in dozens of colors and textures, from smooth finishes to leather-like grains, allowing you to match your boat’s existing aesthetic or create a fresh new look.
Marine foam is equally important. Standard furniture foam absorbs water and promotes mildew, making it completely unsuitable for boats. We use closed-cell marine foam that resists water absorp tion, maintains shape and firmness over time, provides comfortable cushioning without sacrificing support, and meets maritime safety standards.
Thread and stitching must also withstand marine environments, so we use UV-resistant marine thread that won’t degrade in sunlight and double stitched seams with reinforcement at stress points.
Color and pattern options include solid colors in a full spectrum from classic white and navy to bold reds and teals, two-tone designs with contrasting piping or panels, diamond and wave stitching pat terns for visual interest and improved water runoff, and embroidered details or logos for personaliza tion.
The Repair vs. Replace Decision for Marine Upholstery
Given the cost of new boat furniture, professional marine upholstery restoration almost always provides superior value. New pontoon seats can cost $200-$500+ each, while professional recovering typically costs $100-$200 per seat. New captain’s chairs can run $800-$2,000+, while reupholstery usually costs $300-$600. If your boat’s frames and structures are sound, restoration is the clear winner financially while also allowing you to preserve custom configurations and avoid the hassle of sourcing and installing new equipment.
However, if frames are severely corroded, foam is completely disintegrated, or you’re simply ready for a configuration change, replacement might make sense. We provide honest assessments during consultation to help you make the best decision for your specific situation.
Our Marine Upholstery Process
Our systematic approach delivers quality marine restoration every time. We begin with a consultation and boat assessment, examining all damage and discussing your preferences for colors and materials. We then provide a detailed written estimate with timeline. For the restoration work, we carefully re move seats or components (or can work on-site for some projects), disassemble to assess structural condition, repair or replace frames, bases, and mounting hardware, replace foam with appropriate marine-grade materials, install new marine-grade vinyl with reinforced stitching, and complete finishing details including zippers, snaps, and trim. Finally, we conduct quality inspection before reinstallation or return.
Serving DFW Boaters
My Upholstery Guys serves boat owners throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Keller, Southlake, Flower Mound, Euless, Watauga, Las Colinas, Grand Prairie, Bedford, Haltom City, and Denton. Wheth er your boat is stored near Lake Grapevine, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Lewisville, or another DFW area lake, our convenient Fort Worth location makes professional marine upholstery accessible and afford able.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between regular vinyl and marine-grade vinyl?
Marine-grade vinyl is specifically formulated for watercraft environments. It includes UV inhibitors that prevent sun damage and fading, antimicrobial treatments that resist mold and mildew, water-repellent properties, and enhanced durability against temperature extremes and constant moisture. Standard automotive or furniture vinyl lacks these protections and will fail quickly in marine applications. Always insist on true marine-grade vinyl for boat upholstery.
Do you offer mobile service for boat upholstery?
For some boat upholstery projects, we can provide on-site service. However, many projects achieve better results when components are brought to our shop where we have full access to equipment and materials. We’re happy to discuss logistics for your specific project. For removable seats and cushions, drop-off and pickup at our Fort Worth location is convenient and ensures optimal working conditions for quality results.
Can you match my boat’s existing colors?
In most cases, yes. Marine-grade vinyl is available in a wide range of colors, and we can usually find excellent matches for existing upholstery. If you’re recovering multiple areas over time, we can record your material selections for future matching. For complete boat interior updates, many customers choose to refresh with new colors that coordinate with their boat’s gel coat and graphics for a complete makeover.
How much does boat upholstery cost?
Marine upholstery costs vary based on the number of pieces, size, and materials selected. As general guidance, single pontoon seat recovering typically costs $100-$200, captain’s chair reupholstery runs $300-$600, and complete pontoon furniture sets (8-12 seats) generally cost $1,200-$2,400. Custom projects and larger boats require individual quotes. We provide free detailed estimates after assessing your specific boat and needs.
How long will marine upholstery last?
Quality marine upholstery using premium materials should last 7-10+ years with proper care. Lifespan depends on several factors including UV exposure (covered vs. uncovered storage), frequency of use, maintenance and cleaning habits, and quality of materials. Using boat covers when not in use and reg ular cleaning significantly extends upholstery life. The marine-grade materials we use typically outlast original equipment upholstery.
Can you repair boat upholstery, or does it need to be completely recovered?
Minor damage like small tears or isolated worn areas can sometimes be repaired, particularly if caught early. However, marine vinyl repairs are more visible than repairs in other materials, and patched areas may not withstand marine conditions as well as full recovering. For damage affecting multiple areas or aged vinyl showing overall deterioration, complete recovering typically provides better value and appearance. We’ll assess your boat upholstery and recommend the most cost-effective approach.
