- Be sure to use plenty of glue (and staples). - Vinyl with a bit of padding is awesome for big panels, as it gives everything a "plush" look, but you'll want to remove any padding when working within tight spots. - Invest in a decent heat gun or hair dryer. You'll need to apply heat to make the vinyl "stretchy" when working with sharp angles or within tight spaces. - Don't be afraid to call a few upholstery shops if you want fancy stuff like french seams. - The "tuck" method you referred to earlier can make working with vinyl MUCH easier. Simply tuck the vinyl into a crack and push some florist wire (or small speaker wire) in there to hold things down. It's cheating, but it works. - Patience is a virtue.