I've heard it said by some that re-doing the foam and covers on seats is best left to the professionals. I just picked up a Chevelle magazine in which they suggest that it can be done at home (mainly because of the ready to go covers and foam). Therefore I'm hoping for feedback from any that have attempted it? thx
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"So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think... The good outnumber you, and we always will." Patton Oswalt
I've done several... Rears are a cake walk, My 68 front uppers were a BEAR ! That said, for what it costs to have them done I will likely do my 67's myself.
The difficulty is, the two pleats down the front side of the seat pretty much have to be attached first because the reinforcing rod cannot be folded back afterward. That means the cover has to be folded, stretched, battled.... to pull it over the top of the seat. I've heard of tricks like using glad garbage bags over the foam to help it slide but I did not try that.
My 72 Nova buckets were a breeze... you just get sore hands from side cutters and hog ring pliers. And it takes some messing around/adjusting to get them wrinkle free. Gary
-- Edited by Fake68 on Friday 7th of January 2011 05:28:19 PM
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72 Nova SS - Minitubbed 70 Nova SS - #'s L-78 Bench Stick 68 Acadian SS clone - factory air 67 Chevelle rag - SS 427 clone
I have done this before on a freinds 67 chevelle and worked out . Looked great. I will be doing my own and my sons when time to do. Just take pics of the disasembly and you should be ok. Try to get a good set of hog ring pliers. Found the cheep ones realy hurt your hands.
-- Edited by Beaumont4008 on Friday 7th of January 2011 05:28:04 PM
This sure is a key part of your cars over all appearance. I think that this is best answered by yourself. Have you ever done anything like this before?
I personally have had some experience sewing and I have recovered a few diningroom chairs, but I have decided that this is an area that I plan to have a professional do the job.
I plan to use my car alot and hope to carry passengers so I want my seats, etc. to hold up to the wear thats seat, doors, etc take when your using your car everyday. Good luck with your decession.
I've heard it said by some that re-doing the foam and covers on seats is best left to the professionals. I just picked up a Chevelle magazine in which they suggest that it can be done at home (mainly because of the ready to go covers and foam). Therefore I'm hoping for feedback from any that have attempted it? thx
Look up Todds photos of his work on his 427 Laurentian.....
I watched mine being changed... The backs of the front seat were really tight Ian put a garbage bag over them... then pulled/slip the covers over them... Then he pulled the bags out.... neat trick..
have you ever seen a paint and body job, done by a guy that isnt a paint & body guy? no real need to answer. upholstery is a trade in itself, thats why it costs so much. i sent my full interrior out to have it done by a pro, so it looks pro. just my 2 cents.
As said above rear seats are real easy. Buckets are a bit of a challenge but if you are handy at all with tools it's very doable. Good advice given as far as a good set of hog ring pliers but I would sure do mine on my own. It's another one of those things you can take pride in as being able to do yourself and not just cut a cheque for it.
Whether you do them yourself or have it done professionally, I strongly suggest replacing the seat spring assemblies in the seats. The steel springs stretch and bend from metal fatigue, corrosion, stress and age and you don't want your brand new seat covers to split or rip because there is not enough support from them. Just a suggestion! Pete
If you're inclined towards this type of stuff by all means give it a go. Get a good self help book, read and reread it. Take you're time. Make sure you're work area is warm ( bright sun works good ). Have all the proper tools. It's very rewarding when you've managed to accomplish something like this.
AK has his done on the Trans Am. Look like dealer installed....You simply can not tell. He had them done somewhere. Paid a mint but then again so is his car. PM him for where.
ive done new skins over seats that were in good condition otherwise , turned out great, did some that were in bad condition all around, they looked ok, but werent that comfortable and sagged quite abit, getting the right kind of foam, and finding it at an affordable price was a challenge, and the saggy springs were another story a place in michigan sales foam in bulk much cheaper then any place i could find
paid a pro, to redue seats that were ripped saggy and missing foam, and they feel like a new car, it was better to save up money and live with seat covers for another season, and get great results
freshining up worked great, a total homemade rebuild, not so good,
-- Edited by ga on Sunday 9th of January 2011 02:21:11 PM
have you ever seen a paint and body job, done by a guy that isnt a paint & body guy? no real need to answer. upholstery is a trade in itself, thats why it costs so much. i sent my full interrior out to have it done by a pro, so it looks pro. just my 2 cents.
I can't agree more. I have done this at home and through a pro. If it is just changing parts, go for it. Spring reconstruction and knowing all the tricks to getting wrinkles out, leave it to the pros. Maybe there is something you can do for them in return?
Just a tip, Momma's electric bread knife works really well for cutting foam
-- Edited by Laurentian on Sunday 9th of January 2011 05:04:41 PM
have you ever seen a paint and body job, done by a guy that isnt a paint & body guy? no real need to answer. upholstery is a trade in itself, thats why it costs so much. i sent my full interrior out to have it done by a pro, so it looks pro. just my 2 cents.
I can't agree more. I have done this at home and through a pro. If it is just changing parts, go for it. Spring reconstruction and knowing all the tricks to getting wrinkles out, leave it to the pros. Maybe there is something you can do for them in return?
Just a tip, Momma's electric bread knife works really well for cutting foam
-- Edited by Laurentian on Sunday 9th of January 2011 05:04:41 PM
i tried to swap out some custom engine or paint & body with this guy, but he,s all looked after. he does all the interior work for r&r classic cars, so they beat me too it. i had to dish out $3000. for my interrior, but its black, with aqua inserts on the seats, and door skins. he does great work. i, cant wait to get it back.
have you ever seen a paint and body job, done by a guy that isnt a paint & body guy? no real need to answer. upholstery is a trade in itself, thats why it costs so much. i sent my full interrior out to have it done by a pro, so it looks pro. just my 2 cents.
I think we are talking about a couple different things here. I'd be the first to agree on the average joe doing his own paint and body job but what I'm referring to are all pre sewn covers that after fixing or replacing foam you slip them over and fasten them. I think you are referring to custom made upholstery with fancy inserts and whatever, that's a far different story. I know my limits and I'm not made out of money so what I can do myself I enjoy and take pride in it.
i agre with doing things yourself. the only thing i dont do myself is interriors. my paint & body is done by me, its my trade. my mechanical & engine building is also done by me. i dont do upholstery, but i want it to look as good as the rest of the car. i dont like wrinkled up interiors, on an expensive car. i,m lucky enough, that the upholstery is the only thing i had to pay someone to do, but i want a pro job. i guess what it all comes down to, is what kind of a job to you want. do you want it to look like you did it yourself? or do you want it to possibly win a car show, or whatnot. spending a few grand on a daily driver would be kinda pointless, but cheaping out on something a little more expensive would be just as silly. it all comes down to what you,re looking to achieve.
hey guy's if you can do it your self thats great. But I go to too many cruises & see cars with new interiors with depressed pockets in the buckets because the foams or springs were ignored,. drivers who look like their sitting on the floor. Remember these items are 40 years old and who knows how many miles these seats have seen. Not suggesting they always need replacing but your not likely to do them again.
