I've decided to restore the original seats in my 69 instead of swapping them out for C4 seats (for now anyway, I still might install the C4 seats at a later date). I want to restore the headrests with new ABS headrest covers instead of going with vinyl or leather covers. How do you properly install the ABS covers? Are there any how to videos out there on how to do it?

 

I need mine recovered too just got a new Corvette America catalog and they can recover yours for 199.00 kinda steep I think

 

$199 includes the ABS covers and foam. I just sent my metal parts in for them to recover. I tried it myself and couldn't get the factory look. Searched for a write up but came up empty, even called CA to ask questions but of course they wouldn't tell me the secrets to a successful install. They have a 2 week turn around. Let's see what they look like when done by a professional.

 

thank you

 

Has anybody installed the abs covers themselves? I'm assuming you'll need a heat gun to form the bottoms of them. It's tempting to have corvette America do it but I already have new headrest foam and don't want to pay for it twice.

 

It's not that hard guys.. I just did a set today in 40 minutes...

Strip the old off until you are down to the metal support... Then use a whiz wheel to remove the old injected foam off the support.

Once you have a clean support insert it into the foam... then insert the foam and the support into the new abs backing.

On each corner you'll need to cut upward from about 1/4" from the foam so that you can fold the new abs over. You fold the outer edges inward first and then front to rear over top of that. We then use Wildwood glue on the foam and fold over the abs cover. We heat this cover before folding so that it will lay down without issue when cooled.

Once folded down I put the headrest between my legs and squeeze, pulling each side over the other and then I place multiple staples into the vinyl to hold it in place. I know it's going into foam but on the outer edges it's multiple layers from the fold down so it won't hurt anything... Once stapled and cooled it will stay where it belongs and the glue will hold it from moving. I then trim out the bottom cover and again use Wildwood glue to hold the bottom cover.

Another trick is that when you glue something like this you don't want the glue getting on the seat cover if there is excess... so get some baby powder and rub it all over the top cover, then wipe it down to remove the excess baby powder. If you have waves or wrinkles.. use a heat gun or a blow drier... ABS if heated will shrink as it cools. If you want to re-form ABS.. heat it, form it and then cool it...

Willcox

Here are the seat covers and headrest after installation.. I still need to heat it to get rid of the wrinkles... but that'll be a task for tomorrow.


Here is one of the headrest covers after I installed it...


Good luck and if you have any questions you can email me at support@Willcoxcorvette.com