Squiggle Dog
Finally riding a big boys bike
Many, if not most of the old Troxel saddles from the 1930s-1950s were made of vinyl. However, it is the norm these days to recover them in leather. I personally avoid animal products and do not want leather. I have a 1940s Troxel saddle which was restored at one point, and a good job was done of it. I would like to have the leather replaced with vinyl, but it turns out stamping vinyl is a lost art.
I think the key with stamping vinyl is heating the stamp, as heating the vinyl might not be enough to get a good impression without risk of melting it. Rustjunkie has been kind to oblige with testing some vinyl samples for me, but the results haven't been as good as he gets using leather. I hate to waste his time and am wondering if anyone has gotten good results stamping vinyl, and even better if you have a Troxel stamp and can stamp a piece of vinyl for me (I have the vinyl and can upholster it myself).
Stamps don't seem to ever come up for sale, otherwise I'd look into buying one and experimenting myself. As a last resort, I might see if I can get a company to make a new stamp which I can then use with an iron or such. But, that may be tricky as they have to have a high quality rendering.
I think the key with stamping vinyl is heating the stamp, as heating the vinyl might not be enough to get a good impression without risk of melting it. Rustjunkie has been kind to oblige with testing some vinyl samples for me, but the results haven't been as good as he gets using leather. I hate to waste his time and am wondering if anyone has gotten good results stamping vinyl, and even better if you have a Troxel stamp and can stamp a piece of vinyl for me (I have the vinyl and can upholster it myself).
Stamps don't seem to ever come up for sale, otherwise I'd look into buying one and experimenting myself. As a last resort, I might see if I can get a company to make a new stamp which I can then use with an iron or such. But, that may be tricky as they have to have a high quality rendering.