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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

  1. Does SMS sell seat covers?

    We typically only sell yardage, however we will in most cases make seat covers upon request. We believe there are plenty of good, fair priced, auto trimmers that do an excellent job of sewing and installing the upholstery, and we recommend most people go this route. However if you do want us to make covers, we will likely need your original covers from which we will make patterns.

  2. Many suppliers claim to have large inventories of cloth and vinyl. How does SMS compare?

    We have acquired the largest inventory of auto cloth and vinyl in the world. Our owner has personally visited every major old car upholstery supplier in the United States, and SMS has several times the inventory of the next largest competitor. Chances are, we have what you need and if we don't, we have the resources to get it for you.

Ordering Questions

  1. How much material do I need to order?

    Our knowledgeable staff knows how much you will need for your particular car. There is no need to go to the car and take measurements or to have an upholsterer estimate.

  2. Does SMS ship to other countries?

    Yes! We will ship anywhere in the world, and we give the customer many different international shipping options to fit their time and budgetary requirements. In fact, a large percentage of our business comes from overseas. We also send samples internationally, free of charge.

  3. What forms of payment does SMS accept?

    We accept all major credit cards, money orders/cashiers checks, cash from walk-in customers, and PayPal (foreign transactions only).

  4. Is there a minimum amount of material I must order?

    Our minimum cut on cloth and vinyl orders is 2/3 yard. We measure all of our cloth and vinyl by the running yard, which means a yard up the roll by the width of the roll. Roll width varies, but vinyl is usually 54" wide and cloth is often 60" or more wide. For leather orders, we sell by the hide or half-hide. Please contact us for more details.

Informational Questions

  1. Can I get samples of the materials before I place an order?

    Yes, we gladly send samples of our fabrics for your approval. We want to make sure you know what you are ordering before the order is placed. Please fill out a sample request form online to receive the quickest service. Feel free to also call us or send us a sample request in the mail.

  2. Does it cost me any money to receive samples?

    No, SMS has always provided free samples of our materials. Fill out our online sample request form or give us a call, and we will send you correct samples for your car.

  3. What if I don't know what goes in my car?

    SMS has the largest reference library in the industry. We have brochures, sample books, and dealer color and upholstery albums from every year of American car from 1950 to 2000, plus some newer and older. Also try our new search feature to browse a partial selection of the materials available for your car.

Custom Manufacturing

  1. How long does it take for reproduction cloth to be made?

    Custom manufactured cloth takes time to complete. That being said, this is a complicated process and can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months depending on the specifics of your order. You will be provided with a time estimate at the time of order.

  2. Do reproduction cloth and vinyl look different than the original?

    Our reproduction cloth and vinyl are virtually identical to the originals. We do not approve a design until we are confident our customers will be satisfied.

  3. How long does it take for door panels to be manufactured?

    As with custom cloth, door panel manufacturing takes time. With the capability to make nearly 1000 different door panels, we do not mass produce our door panels; they are all custom made once ordered. SMS door panels are complete and ready to install, including all metal pieces preinstalled. We also use exact cloths on vinyls that match the factory original, not just something close as some competitors do. This means that it takes several weeks for door panels to be completed.

  4. How long does it take for headliners to be manufactured?

    SMS headliners are now made right here in house. This means we have drastically reduced the time it takes to fill an order, while at the same time increasing quality and ensuring only the correct materials are used. Headliners usually ship within 2 weeks of ordering.

Delivery Questions

  1. How long will it take for my order to ship?

    Cloth and vinyl orders that are in stock ship within three days. Door panels take many weeks and you will be given a timeframe for completion when you order.

  2. How do I check on the status of my order?

    For the quickest service, call us at (503) 263-3535 between 8:30AM and 5:00PM Pacific time Monday through Friday.