nix1981

Question/opinion: I have new seat covers and was planning on using the old foam. Its still in good shape, no missing pieces, holes or areas that seem like is rubbing off etc. By using the old foam, will this cause the new covers to be loose, or not fit right? Pictures if you got'em?

CanadaGrant

If the foam is original I would never re-use it. It contracts or compresses and doesn't return to the original size or shape so you will have a loose looking cover. After years of use it will also deteriorate and you will notice a fine sort of dust coming through the seat cover from the foam. I did the seats on my 69 a couple of years back and for the extra cost and effort, new foam was worth the price.

Alan 71

Hi,
I believe the foam that deteriorates into a yellow powder is the scrim foam that's sewn into the covers themselves to create the pleats, not the foam that comprises the bolsters.
The foam bolsters typically don't deteriorate but often has compressed over the years.
If you don't replace the original bolsters you run the risk of having trouble getting the new covers to fit wrinkle free.
Some folks feel there's a down side to the new foam bolsters… they tend to make the new seats look very 'plump' compared to the originals.
Regards,
Alan

The foam sewn into the covers to form the pleats.

oldgto

Just my opinion, but I would not do one without the other.

Diablozx9

i replaced covers in my 81 without new foam to save money,,, i now wish i had spent the money

kanvasman

Mr Alan is correct that most of the dust is the sew foam material sewn to the seat cover. Instead of new foam what I do on reupholstering boat seats is to steam the foam. Get a cheapo fabric steamer and run it over the entire cushion. You will be amazed at how the foam decompresses and will return to its original shape and size. Good luck

marshal135

It's like replacing only 1 shoe
Marshal

67 L79

You need to replace the foam. Corvette America offers a service to recover seats and they won't put on a new cover without new foam.

Jeff_Keryk

Yep - my upholsterer put on the covers and immediately removed them and installed new foam. Looked like droopy old pair of pants... They are perfect now. Except I cheaped out and used leatherette. Wish I woulda used the original basket weave vinyl...

bj1k

I agree with the others . Never replace covers without replacing the foam even if the foam looks good. The covers will never look tight and wrinkle free. The covers are supposed to be hard to stretch over the new covers for proper fit.

nix1981

Well, looks like new foam it is. Anyone have preferences on supply? Also, is this something I could do on my own with a "kit" and watching the YouTube how-to or send it off to the upholstery shop? If the shop, what would you expect to pay supplying all the material (covers, foam, etc)? fwiw - my covers seem to be leather in the middle sections and pleather on the sides.

CanadaGrant

Corvette America has a pretty good 4 part video. Check out what's involved and see if you want to do it yourself. I did my 69 vinyl myself and also my wife's 78 leather seats. I purchased the cheap tools and also an installation kit that included the hog rings and all the wires. For me it was a 2 day job but for a real installer probably a couple of hours.

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/video/79_82scInstall/

7T1vette

The 'scrim' foam (1/2" foam sheet with fabric attached to one side) is what deteriorates to yellow dust because the ComfortWeave vinyl seatcovers allow UV light to reach the foam. The main foam padding is below the scrim foam/fabric and should not be deteriorating from UV rays. However, it could have lots of 'stuff' spilled on it, have experiences lots of heat, etc. You will have to be the judge of how the seat feels presently; that should help your decision on needing new foam or not.

I DID NOT replace my seat body foam, and I have not regretted that decision (10 years ago).

doorgunner

If you go with the original foam, at least add a 2" layer of new upholstery-grade foam under the original foam to tighten the new seat covers.

bj1k

Some people install their own seat covers and I usually do all of my own work including convertible tops but Leather covers can be very tough to stretch over the new foams so I took mine to a professional and was only charged $200. but the guy said it took him and a helper to pull the covers down tight to get a wrinkle free job. I think he regretted giving a price so low. Probably should get some quotes and see what they say.

mrvette

My bad lo back has been getting worse over the years, and so redoing the seats are somewhat dependent on your height and weight, and so I not only used the OEM foam padding for the shape, but covered it over in about 1/2 inch thick foam, and removed a few of the metal 'springs' from the seat support, and did not use the damn 'hog rings' but instead used heavy black tie wraps from electrical work, they allowed me to pull the seat covers down to a nice looking pattern even though they were deliverately allowed to 'sag', I also removed the seat belt cover from the floorboard, and dropped the back end of the seat about 2" worth, I can now get my once 6'5" skeleton in/out of the car much better......

over some 21 years of owning this '72, the seat and I sort of learned to enjoy each other's company, snore.....a comfy ride is much more important to me than plumb new foam which I tried some years ago and had to remove it......

Hammerhead Fred

As the others said, can be done yourself.
But, even with the correct tools and parts it's very difficult on the hands and easily becomes a two day job.

Also, new foam is the way to go.

69Vett

any more tips on installing the covers ?
I have new 1969 foam, and new covers with Install kit.
Frames cleaned painted, springs repaired, sliders restored.
I plan to use plastic bag the foam to allow easier slide on.
I plan to use nylon tie wraps initially, then lock it down with hog rings.
any other tips ? suggestions for Headrest ? thanks.

7T1vette

You know that those 'clips' that connect the wavy rods [thru the body foam] to the cover wires are different lengths? Those need to go to their proper locations. If you got some good instructions with your seat covers, good for the vendor! Take your time, work patiently, stop if you're not sure.

In the case of replacing seat covers, the adage "Haste makes waste" is an understatement. If you get nearly done...and tear one of those new covers... the result is much more than "waste".

nix1981

Thanks for all the comments... the information is helpful!