Hot Rods Current TJ Upholstery Information

A number of years ago my mom went down to Ensenada with her then boyfriend who had his first gen Mustang redone. Price was good and the town wasn't like the border towns but she still fusses about getting sick because she forgot and rinsed her mouth out with tap water when she brushed her teeth.
Still my daughter's boyfriend has a lot of family down there and he flat says don't go down there. Some of my friends here who go back and forth a lot to see family down there say that it isn't safe now and a several of them have quit going back or fly to the cities they are going to rather than drive like they used to.

 

You got a roadster... how much upholstery do you need? Not worth jumping over the border without having an in. I was in Cancun in 2009 and back then we were warned to stay on the hotel strip and the LAST bus runs at 11 PM... be on it.

 

Do Americans go there and open American restaurants?

 

All the old TJ tourist stuff is gone. Revolution Ave tourist shops? gone. Auto related businesses pretty much just service locals.

 

Don't tell me the Blue Fox is gone ????

 

Mick

 

I think some members are overreacting. My main caution is don't leave you car unattended on the streets for any length of time. Get your appointment. Drop it off to a reputable business there and stay close if possible.

 

SI, es grande panocha, apestosa

 

and the “Long Bar”.....

 

No bueno por nada.

 

I think you mean Chicago

 

Actually it’s a little further south....St. Louis.

 

I heard it was Caracas Venezuela.

 

I was told that in the old days the TJ shops used cheap cotton thread. The stitches would come out in year or so. The trick was to take some good nylon thread with you and have them use it.

 

I haven't been to Mexico for a few years now, but the last time I was there Foam was easier to come by than Horse shit . Think about it fellas what kind of mess would it make trying to do tuck and roll with horse shit . To save all those huge foam rubber bills. Get real.

 

Old thread i asked similar question back in 2005, but has some good info.
I agree the safety issue now is more of a concern, but also remember that Tijuana is still a border town that relies on tourism. I am not sure if I would go now or not. I ended up not going to Tijuana back in 2005, found a local shop for good price that worked out for me.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/anyone-with-experience-tj-tuck-n-roll.52867/#post-664244

 

https://www.usatoday.com/picture-ga...s-world-tijuana-caracas-cape-town/1813211001/
50 most dangerous cities
TJ numero uno.
But if you live in St. Louis or Baltimore, not so bad..

 

90,000 people cross into and out of Tijuana, Mexico and San Ysidro, California EVERY SINGLE DAY. It is the busiest border crossing anywhere in the world. Thousands of American citizens cross it every day of the week to take advantage of affordable dentistry, medical care, and most importantly, inexpensive prescription drugs, without incident.
Take your passport with you, follow their traffic laws, and disregard the naysayers on here that haven't ever been within a thousand miles of Tijuana. Your local Walmart is probably more dangerous to visit. You'll be just fine.

 

I remember on the old Hamb there was a thread were a member went over there and got an upholstery job, showed where to go and dispelled many of these rumors folks are speaking about. Of course the drug cartels have gotten way more extreme since then. I think the "horseshit" myth comes from people using the less expensive Urine cured leather.

Edit: I just noticed the link above for the thread I was referring.

 

Klaw, you are about 50 years too late, the days of the TJ upholstery jobs are long gone. The climate in TJ has changed drastically. Just read the travel warnings issued by the government. You will have a big sign on your back that will say "I have a lot of cash on me to pay for an upholstery job, so please rob me". One sideways glance at a drunk local will get your ass kicked or arrested by the corrupt Mexican police. If the local police see American license plates expect to be "detained" until your wallet is empty. Just trying to get your car back across the border will be a pain. The border police know all the tricks the pushers use to transport their dope. More than likely your car will be clean but it will be searched. Who are you going to complain to when your seats fall apart? Sure, many tourists travel to TJ every day, but they stay in the tourist district and by counterfeit Cuban cigars made from cheap crap. Stray 3 or 4 blocks from it and you are a target. I will never go to Mexico again.

 

Try North Hollywood Upholstery, in North Hollywood, they do the best work for the price here in L.A.

1. North Hollywood Auto Upholstery 11576 Vanowen St North ...
   www.mapquest.com/us/california/north-hollywood-auto-upholstery-11104391
   <p>North Hollywood Auto Upholstery has been serving North Hollywood since 1983. It installs upholstery into just about any type of automobile.
   

 

don’t forget mex-insure , as your insurance from the states is not valid in Mexico unless you have a special policy

 

^^^Exactly what Ed said!

 

I keep coming back and reading on this and it just struck me, i bet all of the good upholstery guys from tj have moved to the United states by now.

 

Had TJ upholstery done in the 60's but would be hesitant now. We were also broke kids at the time-now I have it done locally by a young man who migrated from Mexico years ago-honest and great work!. Yes it is pricey but end up with a top flight product.

 

For what its worth, a friend not long ago had his 55 Chevys interior done for $5500.00. I asked him how he liked it. He replied " I wish I would have spent $10,000.00 for something I liked". Worlds biggest truism, you get what you pay for.
Back in the nineties I used to go to a number of places in Mexico every couple of weeks on business and it was fine but wouldn't think of it now.

 

TJ is a major metropolis , do you think all the rich Mexicans come to the states to have “ nice” upholstery work done?

 

I have no idea and truthfully don't give a flying rats ass. Doesn't concern me. But it sounds like there aren't any good upholstery shops out west. Every car related show on TV shows them taking their cars to get upholstery done in California by Hispanics, therefore i made a statement that it seems all of the good upholsterers have moved to the states.

 

Just have a plan. Know your destination and how to get there. You don't want any wrong turns. Are you dropping off or holing up somewhere local to wait? How fast can you run?
Plan stuff like that.

 

I grew up in Chula Vista (south of 'Dago), currently live In El Cajon. NO WAY would I go to T-Town these days without a friend who spoke spanish, knew where to go for good work, knew the area. Extra pair of eyes...

Tecate MIGHT be an option, 50 miles east. Main drag a couple blocks from the border, doesn't seem to have the violence TJ has, more of a quiet small-town feel. Where? Quality? No idea... Bring a buddy who is fluent!

IF you can afford threads up here, you might get some good recommendations for your area on a new thread - where are you at?