Mikesfreetime

How do most people handle restoring the seats and door panels? Do they buy the covers and parts from ZIp and have them installed or just drop the seats on at a shop? Same for door panels, just buy them and instal or have a shop handle it?

grumman41

If your existing plastic is in good shape I would have an expert dye your parts. The fit is pretty bad on aftermarket parts and the color match from manufacture to manufacture can vary significantly. Buy quality parts, it will save labor and frustration!

Good luck, Kevin

Mikesfreetime

My interior plastic is perfect, dash pads are also fine. Only seats, door panels and carpet are needed.

Easy Mike

Who can say what "most people" do? I did my own. It's your choice on how you want to proceed.

Mikesfreetime

I realize its my choice but Im looking for peoples opinions

Alan 71

Hi mft,
I'm not sure what you mean by dropping the seats at a shop.
A shop certainly isn't going to be able to replicate the seat covers at a reasonable cost so folks buy the covers from one of the few seat cover manufacturers and have a shop install them.
Many folks install the covers themselves. Not too easy but certainly do-able. The seat bottoms are easy, the tops of the seat back take some finesse.
There are just a few suppliers of door panels. The appearance of them is o.k. while getting them to fit snuggly can take some work. The panels backing is now made from abs which often warp.
Many folks install the carpet. It too takes some work trimming and fitting each piece. With some effort most people report and show good results.
Regards,
Alan

Mikesfreetime

That makes sense, I didnt know if shops could cover the seats to match or not. Good to know that I definitly need to buy the covers. Is there any place more reasonably priced then others with good quality?

jward486

My opinion (what I did on my 73) is to buy new door panels and install them yourself and have the seats professionally done. Just seems to me that the seats would be a pain. If you have the patience and tools then I say go for it as it would be a rewarding experience to do them yourself. Door panels (from Corvette America) went in easily for me. I shipped my seats to Corvette Central to have them done. Very pleased with how they turned out.

Mikesfreetime

Wow, just the foam and leather covers is over a $1000 to buy. YIKES

jward486

Definitely not cheap! I had to buy the foam and covers from Corvette Central and I believe I ended up paying around $300 for the installation service. I paid around $70 to ship my seats and they had a promotion for free shipping to send them back to me.

Mikesfreetime

Everything Vette is more expensive, my entire 69 fastback interior was like 700..