seat back install?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 857
Likes: 1
From: Morrisonville Illinios
seat back install?
We have a 71' with black vynil. My son has done a really great job at putting the seat bottoms together but the backs are beating him up. Just what is the trick to install the back. We have new seat foam and we even have the original and 2 different sets of seat backs ( bought this out of a shed that had the interior out but the guy had everything to put it back together) . One set of backs have the sides cut at a slight angle (similar to the origianl foam and the cover was dated 69')and the outer set has the sides more full(like bolsters). We are open to suggestions so we can get it done and on the road.
Thanks gang wro87
Thanks gang wro87
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi WRO,
You son has found the TRUTH. The seat BACKS are much more difficult than the bottoms. I put the backs on using the original foam and ended up taking the cover back off to put the new foam on.
The place you need to be the most careful is on the back of the back , near the place where the 'split' ends. This area really wants to tear because there's so much stress on the vinyl when your getting the top of the seat-back into the seat cover. I also left this area a little loose until I figured out just how the metal trim pieces were going to fit. You have to be very careful about these pieces because once you make the holes for them your stuck if you want to move the seat cover around anymore. It would help if you had a partially assembled seat back to look at.
I had never done covers before I did my 71 seats. They turned out well but it took a good bit of time. I spent a whole day on each seat back. You have to be most careful that you don't rip the vinyl, and take the time to get the covers tight.
Regards,
Alan
You son has found the TRUTH. The seat BACKS are much more difficult than the bottoms. I put the backs on using the original foam and ended up taking the cover back off to put the new foam on.
The place you need to be the most careful is on the back of the back , near the place where the 'split' ends. This area really wants to tear because there's so much stress on the vinyl when your getting the top of the seat-back into the seat cover. I also left this area a little loose until I figured out just how the metal trim pieces were going to fit. You have to be very careful about these pieces because once you make the holes for them your stuck if you want to move the seat cover around anymore. It would help if you had a partially assembled seat back to look at.
I had never done covers before I did my 71 seats. They turned out well but it took a good bit of time. I spent a whole day on each seat back. You have to be most careful that you don't rip the vinyl, and take the time to get the covers tight.
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
I'm not sure I understand what your install problem is but I assume it's the upper part of the seat back where the material comes together. It's been a while since I redid my 71' seats, but I remember installing the cover w/o the upper back piece of foam (the one in the photo below) then working the piece in place after. A little heat from a hair dryer will help too. Also, I attached is a link to the ZIP tech articles that explain how to install them.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001...s/seatspg1.asp
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001...s/seatspg1.asp
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
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From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
When I did mine I turned the covers inside-out. That way I could align things as worked the covers over the foam. Good Luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Warm the seat covers up a bit before you try to install them; that makes them more flexible and allows a bit of stretch. But, be careful not to pull too hard on them or you will rip stitches or tear the vinyl. The trick is to 'stuff' the stuffing into the covers...not pull the covers over the stuffing (you get the idea...). Be patient...that's a hard thing for a young person to do [but this will be good practice to learn that].
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 857
Likes: 1
From: Morrisonville Illinios
Thanks for the info and DUKE that is what the original foam looked like that he took out. We have been using some double headed quarzt lights for heating that work well since he works during most of the day the sun wont' really work for us.
I think he is just burnt out right now since the bottoms where so easy. Well let him take a breather and will get back on it tomorrow when he gets off work.
THANKS wro87
I think he is just burnt out right now since the bottoms where so easy. Well let him take a breather and will get back on it tomorrow when he gets off work.
THANKS wro87
