Seat cover install help needed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 215
Likes: 12
From: Conyers Georgia
Seat cover install help needed
I am in the process of putting new Corvette America seat covers and new foam on the seats for my 75 convertible and have run into some issues. I got the bottoms done and they look great, but I have run into a snag with the backs.
The clips that came in my install kit appear to be to short.(see picture) I have watched the video many, many times and they say use the 3/4" clips for the backs, but all my clips are 1/2" and I have broken 4 of them trying to pull them through to connect to the corragated wire.
Is it possible I got the wrong clips in my kit. The clips they should on the video look a lot thicker than what I got.
Thoughts...
The clips that came in my install kit appear to be to short.(see picture) I have watched the video many, many times and they say use the 3/4" clips for the backs, but all my clips are 1/2" and I have broken 4 of them trying to pull them through to connect to the corragated wire.
Is it possible I got the wrong clips in my kit. The clips they should on the video look a lot thicker than what I got.
Thoughts...
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 295
Likes: 18
From: Easton Massachusetts
I just did my 76 seats and had the same kit with the same clips. I even bought the special tool for those clips and the clips kept breaking because they were just too small for the thick foam so I ditched the clips and did the zip tie (tie wrap) method and they came out awesome. I used good quality heavy duty zip ties and I'm not the least bit worried about them breaking.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 720
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Imho....
I just installed seat covers on my 76, wow what a PITA job. Like the zip tie method, good to know.
I wish I had a clip like you show to compare, but reused all of mine and used a paper clip for the one that broke.
I think your clip looks shorter than the ones I got out of my 76, I would call your vendor that you got these from and ask what size you are supposed to have. I also thought my 76 clips pulled the cover pretty tight plus I reused my foam which looked good. I think I saw where if you use new foam, some trim it with a carving knife.
Hope this might help.
I wish I had a clip like you show to compare, but reused all of mine and used a paper clip for the one that broke.
I think your clip looks shorter than the ones I got out of my 76, I would call your vendor that you got these from and ask what size you are supposed to have. I also thought my 76 clips pulled the cover pretty tight plus I reused my foam which looked good. I think I saw where if you use new foam, some trim it with a carving knife.
Hope this might help.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 215
Likes: 12
From: Conyers Georgia
[QUOTE=Sacred Steel;1589058497]I just did my 76 seats and had the same kit with the same clips. I even bought the special tool for those clips and the clips kept breaking because they were just too small for the thick foam so I ditched the clips and did the zip tie (tie wrap) method and they came out awesome. I used good quality heavy duty zip ties and I'm not the least bit worried about them breaking.
Thanks SS, your seats look great. I am going to see the dealer that I purchased the CA seats, foam and install kit from and we are going to see what clips they have in other kits. I may end up using the zip tie idea if I can not find some longer clips.
Thanks SS, your seats look great. I am going to see the dealer that I purchased the CA seats, foam and install kit from and we are going to see what clips they have in other kits. I may end up using the zip tie idea if I can not find some longer clips.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,801
Likes: 1,712
From: Summerville SC
Zip tie sound interesting, but if you want another option, get regular hog rings. That's what they are called, and of course, ther's a special tool for that. But the rings are cheap and so is the tool. Those are what most upholsterers use and they are virtually impossible to break.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 215
Likes: 12
From: Conyers Georgia
I just installed seat covers on my 76, wow what a PITA job. Like the zip tie method, good to know.
I wish I had a clip like you show to compare, but reused all of mine and used a paper clip for the one that broke.
I think your clip looks shorter than the ones I got out of my 76, I would call your vendor that you got these from and ask what size you are supposed to have. I also thought my 76 clips pulled the cover pretty tight plus I reused my foam which looked good. I think I saw where if you use new foam, some trim it with a carving knife.
Hope this might help.
I wish I had a clip like you show to compare, but reused all of mine and used a paper clip for the one that broke.
I think your clip looks shorter than the ones I got out of my 76, I would call your vendor that you got these from and ask what size you are supposed to have. I also thought my 76 clips pulled the cover pretty tight plus I reused my foam which looked good. I think I saw where if you use new foam, some trim it with a carving knife.
Hope this might help.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 215
Likes: 12
From: Conyers Georgia
Zip tie sound interesting, but if you want another option, get regular hog rings. That's what they are called, and of course, ther's a special tool for that. But the rings are cheap and so is the tool. Those are what most upholsterers use and they are virtually impossible to break.
kanvasman, hog rings would not be long enough to connect the two parts through the foam. Using hog rings in other areas of the seat installation.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 295
Likes: 18
From: Easton Massachusetts
Zip tie sound interesting, but if you want another option, get regular hog rings. That's what they are called, and of course, ther's a special tool for that. But the rings are cheap and so is the tool. Those are what most upholsterers use and they are virtually impossible to break.
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 119
Likes: 3
From: Boise ID
I just got done doing my seats with the Corvette America covers, foam and kit. Had the same scenario. Broke a couple before I figured it out. Watch the Video and use the same pull and twist method he does. I ended using a couple of the ones from the old seat cover. They are about the same size. Not much difference.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 967
Likes: 109
From: Europe, Germany
I just did my 76 seats and had the same kit with the same clips. I even bought the special tool for those clips and the clips kept breaking because they were just too small for the thick foam so I ditched the clips and did the zip tie (tie wrap) method and they came out awesome. I used good quality heavy duty zip ties and I'm not the least bit worried about them breaking.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 3
From: Hesperia California
Seat back clips to short or broke
Hi All,
I also am in the process of doing my 70 seats. Check out the Video, I found that with the Video replacing the Foam and covers was rather easy, Just take you Time. Now the Backs for the 70 were a little Harder, instead of using the Clips to attach the Foam to the Cover use heavy duty Tie Straps. In the Video the Installer said use 3/4" s/j clips, my 70 clips measure 1/2", I felt that if I did use the 1/2" clips it would eventually pull through the Foam or rip the Covers. I went to a well known upholstery shop and all I did was show the owner the Clip, His comment was Oh thats a 69, 70 Corvette seat Back Clip, Dont use them use tie straps or Stainless wire. He said he has been doing this for 42 years and has Never had a come back because of a broken Tie Strap. He also stated that for the Last 10 years he has only used Tie Straps on all seat covers that required any kind of clip used in this situation.
Just thought I would let you all know what I did, YEP TIE STRAPS.
My Seats look GREAT, In case you are wondering The Leather Like Covers are also Great, I was not disappointed in the workmanship.
I also am in the process of doing my 70 seats. Check out the Video, I found that with the Video replacing the Foam and covers was rather easy, Just take you Time. Now the Backs for the 70 were a little Harder, instead of using the Clips to attach the Foam to the Cover use heavy duty Tie Straps. In the Video the Installer said use 3/4" s/j clips, my 70 clips measure 1/2", I felt that if I did use the 1/2" clips it would eventually pull through the Foam or rip the Covers. I went to a well known upholstery shop and all I did was show the owner the Clip, His comment was Oh thats a 69, 70 Corvette seat Back Clip, Dont use them use tie straps or Stainless wire. He said he has been doing this for 42 years and has Never had a come back because of a broken Tie Strap. He also stated that for the Last 10 years he has only used Tie Straps on all seat covers that required any kind of clip used in this situation.
Just thought I would let you all know what I did, YEP TIE STRAPS.
My Seats look GREAT, In case you are wondering The Leather Like Covers are also Great, I was not disappointed in the workmanship.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I am in the process of putting new Corvette America seat covers and new foam on the seats for my 75 convertible and have run into some issues. I got the bottoms done and they look great, but I have run into a snag with the backs.
The clips that came in my install kit appear to be to short.(see picture) I have watched the video many, many times and they say use the 3/4" clips for the backs, but all my clips are 1/2" and I have broken 4 of them trying to pull them through to connect to the corragated wire.
Is it possible I got the wrong clips in my kit. The clips they should on the video look a lot thicker than what I got.
Thoughts...
The clips that came in my install kit appear to be to short.(see picture) I have watched the video many, many times and they say use the 3/4" clips for the backs, but all my clips are 1/2" and I have broken 4 of them trying to pull them through to connect to the corragated wire.
Is it possible I got the wrong clips in my kit. The clips they should on the video look a lot thicker than what I got.
Thoughts...
I have a tool we made years ago and when I twist it it forces open the clip so you can flip it over the zig zag... I'm pretty sure the tool sold today works the same way but if you pull the clips just a fraction too hard they will break. I do NOT use Tie or zip straps... I use the factory install kit every time. I've installed 4 sets of covers ranging from 1968, 1972 1972 and 1977 in the last week.. and all turned out perfect with the supplied installation kit. Pictures can be found on our facebook page of these installations.
IMHO,
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jun 5, 2016 at 09:38 PM.