# What Fastener to Use To Reupholster 3/8" Plastic Chair Seat?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fastener-to-use-to-reupholster-3-8-plastic-chair-seat/713220>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 20, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fastener-to-use-to-reupholster-3-8-plastic-chair-seat/713220 "2015-02-20T20:32:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fastener-to-use-to-reupholster-3-8-plastic-chair-seat/713220/1 "2015-02-20T20:32:29Z")

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I wish to re-upholster my office chair seat which has a base of 3/8" plastic. Originally the fabric was fastened onto the plastic with heavy duty staples. What alternative fasteners can be used?

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fastener-to-use-to-reupholster-3-8-plastic-chair-seat/713220/2 "2015-02-20T20:39:55Z")

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Tacks might work, but they could pull out. Sheet metal screws with washers will hold securely, but you may need to drill pilot holes.

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**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fastener-to-use-to-reupholster-3-8-plastic-chair-seat/713220/3 "2015-02-20T21:32:03Z")

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A heavy duty staple gun. With heavy duty staples.

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**Author:** ![Khendrask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@Khendrask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khendrask)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fastener-to-use-to-reupholster-3-8-plastic-chair-seat/713220/4 "2015-02-23T09:12:42Z")

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/Agree GaryM. Staples.  
I occasionally do upholstery for boats/jetskis, and I always just staple the covers in place.  
Staples are easy to work with, one handed, which is important when you are trying to pull a cover tightly into place. They also provide a more secure binding, since it isn’t only the points that bind, but primarily the compression of the material under the bar of the staple.

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**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fastener-to-use-to-reupholster-3-8-plastic-chair-seat/713220/5 "2015-02-24T03:10:04Z")

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A strip of thin wood (or plywood) with carpet tacks every inch or so will hold and distribute the load (think of the tacks on old-line leather chairs).

But staples are the best bet, and s good staple gun is one of those tools which, once it is on hand, you’ll find quite handy.