seat covers...self install or pay ?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: verona va
seat covers...self install or pay ?
Going to get new covers. I am thinking about getting it done at Carlisle next month. Its $375 according to their website ( if they can do it then).
Is it worth paying the money or is it better to do it yourself. I'd like to hear from some that have done it themselves. Would you do it again if you had to or farm it out. I'm leaning to do the self install.
Thanks
Is it worth paying the money or is it better to do it yourself. I'd like to hear from some that have done it themselves. Would you do it again if you had to or farm it out. I'm leaning to do the self install.
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
We plan to do our own eventually. We`ve done our own seat covers on a 66 goat, a 72 Chevelle, a 65 Mustang and a set of Datsun buckets for a dune buggy.
We`ve never done Corvette seats yet, but I can`t imagine them being any more difficult than any others. If you do much of your own work, you should have no problem.
We`ve never done Corvette seats yet, but I can`t imagine them being any more difficult than any others. If you do much of your own work, you should have no problem.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
We do them for 199.00 a set.
You must by the seat covers, seat foam and seat installation kit. (just use the sale code and you'll save 10 percent off on these items).
Repairs are extra and if you need any you will be contacted first.
But given the installation video, many people have successfully installed seat covers that never would have tried it before. On a C3 they really are not that hard. That is the good news..
Bad news is that if you send them in, the delay is about three weeks turn around time.
Willcox
You must by the seat covers, seat foam and seat installation kit. (just use the sale code and you'll save 10 percent off on these items).
Repairs are extra and if you need any you will be contacted first.
But given the installation video, many people have successfully installed seat covers that never would have tried it before. On a C3 they really are not that hard. That is the good news..
Bad news is that if you send them in, the delay is about three weeks turn around time.
Willcox
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
I did mine myself about 13 years ago and they still look great. One tip - put plastic over the foam before you pull the seat back cover on (the kind of plastic the dry cleaner covers your shirts with). The cover will easily slide over the plastic. Once the cover is in place, just pull the plastic out from underneath the cover. It also helps if you let the covers warm in the sun before installing them.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 810
Likes: 48
From: West Chester Pennsylvania
Going to get new covers. I am thinking about getting it done at Carlisle next month. Its $375 according to their website ( if they can do it then).
Is it worth paying the money or is it better to do it yourself. I'd like to hear from some that have done it themselves. Would you do it again if you had to or farm it out. I'm leaning to do the self install.
Thanks
Is it worth paying the money or is it better to do it yourself. I'd like to hear from some that have done it themselves. Would you do it again if you had to or farm it out. I'm leaning to do the self install.
Thanks
I JUST finished doing my 1972.
Did foam + seat covers + door panels + carpet
http://s963.photobucket.com/albums/a...view=slideshow
Of everything, the carpet is the easiest
Door panels are next easiest
Seat covers are a lot of work.
You will spend 4 hours minimum on each seat
If you are handy; have good arm & hand strength and some ingenuity and like the feeling of accomplishing a project, then go for it.
Otherwise, it's worth $300 to $400 for the time & labor for the pair to not have to do it.
Trust me on this one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Do it yourself. Took me half a day once I got the seats out. I watched the video all the way through then went back and watched it step by step and hit pause while I did the work. It is pretty simple. New foam is a must. Mine was in horrible shape.
Wilcox, great response. You guys are here to help, not just try and sell a service.
Wilcox, great response. You guys are here to help, not just try and sell a service.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: verona va
Philascott......great pics. I have looked at them before.
I guess I will do them myself. Save the extra money for something else like a new clock...
If it was easy to ship I would probably get Willcox to do them as thats where I plan on buying everything...just waiting on the new prices for the Al Knoch covers..hint hint.....
Thanks for the input.
I guess I will do them myself. Save the extra money for something else like a new clock...
If it was easy to ship I would probably get Willcox to do them as thats where I plan on buying everything...just waiting on the new prices for the Al Knoch covers..hint hint.....
Thanks for the input.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Millington TN
I just did mine in April. New foam and covers. I ran into unforeseen problems like stuck hinge bolts and the movers had just taken my tools away. I'd say the whole process was a pain in the butt and my choice of timing was poor. They look good but it wasn't easy. Everyone in the VA Beach area wanted $150 and up PER SEAT. Glad I did it myself but certainly isn't a job I enjoyed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you have to ask us what you should do, then you must already have the $375 to 'blow' on whatever you want. How can WE determine how much it is worth TO YOU for having that job done?
If you are asking about the difficulty level of doing that job, it is about a 3 out of 10, IMO. You just need to be careful, make detail notes on where each wire retaining clip came from...and KEEP THEM, and not get frustrated to the point of doing damage to the new seat covers.
P.S. The wire clips are internal to the seats/covers. You can just cut the hog rings off with some good wire cutters. And you will need a cheap set of hog ring pliers to install the new ones.
If you are asking about the difficulty level of doing that job, it is about a 3 out of 10, IMO. You just need to be careful, make detail notes on where each wire retaining clip came from...and KEEP THEM, and not get frustrated to the point of doing damage to the new seat covers.
P.S. The wire clips are internal to the seats/covers. You can just cut the hog rings off with some good wire cutters. And you will need a cheap set of hog ring pliers to install the new ones.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
I did the foam and seat covers this spring on a 77. I would say if Wilcox can do it for $199 plus whatever shipping is involved and you can wait three weeks go that route.
I watched the Corvette America video and paused it at each step while installing the covers, it was not an easy job. I can see after a fashion once you get the little tricks down it would become easier. The second seat went easier than the first for me. It took my wife and I about 10 hours from removal of seats to installation of seats back in the car. Took lots of patience and time plus a very sore back from working on the garage floor. If you want to save time and money though, then go for it, just be prepared to be somewhat frustrated at times and tired but satisfied when it's done.
I watched the Corvette America video and paused it at each step while installing the covers, it was not an easy job. I can see after a fashion once you get the little tricks down it would become easier. The second seat went easier than the first for me. It took my wife and I about 10 hours from removal of seats to installation of seats back in the car. Took lots of patience and time plus a very sore back from working on the garage floor. If you want to save time and money though, then go for it, just be prepared to be somewhat frustrated at times and tired but satisfied when it's done.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
In my opinion, every job on a classic car is worth doing yourself. For me, I have much more pride in the finished product if I know I worked hard to achieve the end results. A little sweat and some blood on the floor is a small price to pay.
We'll be doing the seats in our '77 at home.
Adam
We'll be doing the seats in our '77 at home.
Adam
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Pulll them apart, see if you need the foam, hopefully you don't, my '72 did not, in '95 and the pass side is still OEM, the driver's side got maybe 1/2" of foam from local source, the second time I covered them, the comfort weave did not last too good, but the imitation leather pattern vinyl seats have done much better,
Because of my height, I dropped the driver's seat down a good bit and stuck with the old foam, removed the seat belt covers too....little extra clearance....the use of hog ring pliars is a waste, just use Zip ties,, easy as pie and you can adjust each one for appearance, I left the plastic as above in place between the covers and the foam, never a second's troubles....
i'ts about a 1 hour job/seat doing it my way.....
NEW foam gives you that show car look, overstuffed and plump/plush appearance, but it's a super PIA, especially if you don't do the plastic trick, I used just plain green garbage bag material, cut open to single layer....
I picked up on it while watching a guy who did custom show cars, and did a entire car for me, ~25 years ago, but I stopped by to watch and BS one day and got a seat foam/cover edjemakshun.....
Because of my height, I dropped the driver's seat down a good bit and stuck with the old foam, removed the seat belt covers too....little extra clearance....the use of hog ring pliars is a waste, just use Zip ties,, easy as pie and you can adjust each one for appearance, I left the plastic as above in place between the covers and the foam, never a second's troubles....
i'ts about a 1 hour job/seat doing it my way.....
NEW foam gives you that show car look, overstuffed and plump/plush appearance, but it's a super PIA, especially if you don't do the plastic trick, I used just plain green garbage bag material, cut open to single layer....
I picked up on it while watching a guy who did custom show cars, and did a entire car for me, ~25 years ago, but I stopped by to watch and BS one day and got a seat foam/cover edjemakshun.....
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Livonia MI
Team Owner
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