Redoing seats
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 87
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From: Davenport Iowa
Redoing seats
am redoing my seats and amazed at how different the quality of the actual covers are from the old to the new you would think for $400.00+ you would get something close to the ones that were on them. my main problem is having to poke the holes in them for hinge bolts adjusters etc. I use an ice pick to start the hole but am worried that tho hole will grow or tear. Also the quality of the hard ware kit is so lite compared to the old hardware i used alot of the old stuff in the seats. Have one seat recovered and for my first time at doing this they look very good
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,221
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From: Westminster Maryland
I felt the Al Knock seat covers were very equal to the originals. Maybe even a little better. I do know what you mean about poking holes in them! Mounting the trim on the top of the seat back really hurt!!! You better be right the first cut or you're in deep trouble.
Regards,
Alan
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
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From: grand prairie texas
brazky75 I am in the process of doing my 77 seats I bought new padding and pure leather covers and I planned on securing the covers my self. I found the cover impossible to stretch myself so I carried it to A shop and they called me today and told me either my padding was too large or my covers were wrong. Anyway I checked with the vender about what I bought and he told me everything was correct and the covers just fit that tight. I carried my covers to a different shop and that guy assured he could make them fit. I was just curious if you used new foam also and how hard were your covers to stretch over the foam?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
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From: Piscataway NJ
I have done several C-3 seats and the only way you get the new feel is with new foam. The bottoms are the easiest. The backs take awhile you have to take your time. Yes you have to poke the holes with a scratch awl. I would not worry about the hole growing, the 30 plus year seat I recovered had damage else where, not at any of the bolt holes.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Davenport Iowa
redoing seats
Ordered the covers from Wilcox Corvette came in Corvette America box. Also ordered new foam, backs, and hardware kit. The covers are a little tricky to do but when you have all winter and a heated garage its not that bad. Do one at a time that way you have the other one for reference. Of course I found that bubba had his hands in the mix i,e, broken frame patched with liquid metal, peg board stuffed between springs and padding. If you have a work bench with a vise you can use it to put a bar against it to compress the foam and that helps. The problem is there are no holes for hinge bolts the latch for the back or the adjustment bolts for the backs.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
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From: grand prairie texas
I like you got my covers and new foam from Willcox and there was a slip between them about being from corvette America. They are beautiful covers. My bottoms acted like they were too short to wrap around the bottom to clip them to the frame. Like I said I took my seat to a second upholsterer and he claims he can do the seats properly. I hate to spend $100 dollars to have the job done but if he ruins the leather he will replace it. My original seats were the cloth option which I eliminated for the pure leather. I would not think that the frame would be any different than leather.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: McHenry Illinois
I also got the leather and foam from Wilcox. And also only disassembled 1 seat so I will still have the other for reference. I just blasted and painted the frame. I'll start putting the covering on tomorrow evening. Tonight I'm going to read the instructions to hopefully avoid problems.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: grand prairie texas
I also got the leather and foam from Wilcox. And also only disassembled 1 seat so I will still have the other for reference. I just blasted and painted the frame. I'll start putting the covering on tomorrow evening. Tonight I'm going to read the instructions to hopefully avoid problems.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Davenport Iowa
I thought the foam was to big also but I put it in front of the hot air from the furnace vent that help stretch it. Like I said before I used a bar to compress the foam while hooking the clips onto the seat frame. Also hook the clips on to the seat cover first then hook to the frame as it is impossible to do the other way. I think the backs are a lot harder to do than the bottoms. At first didn't think I had the foam was in correctly but just kept at it and they finally went together best thing to do is if you get frustrated just walk away for an hour. Started on the passenger seat today and it went a lot faster than the drivers side because I kinda know what I'm doing if the passenger seat turns out as good as the drivers side I'll be very pleased.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
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From: grand prairie texas
brazky75 thanks for the quick reply back on the seat foam. I like you feared something was wrong. Right now I am only doing my passenger seat. Like I mentioned after fighting with the darn thing I was afraid to tear the beautiful leather so I chickened out and the shop is charging me $100 dollars to do it. Maybe when I do the drivers seat soon I will fight thru it and save money.