Seat Cover Replacement
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair Shores, MI
Seat Cover Replacement
I need to replace the seat covers in my '81 vette. I was looking at the price difference between buying the new covers or buying the supplies and recovering them myself. Has anyone done this, and how much work is it? The cost of the materials is about 50% of the cost of purchasing the new covers already done. I was also told 2 different things about the seat foam - one person told me to replace the foam when I redo the covers, another told me to just buy the material and reuse my current seat foam. What do you guys think? :jester
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Seat Cover Replacement (jhorlocker)
I really believe this is a job left to the professionals. Buy the cushions with new foam and pop them in.
http://www.alknochinteriors.com/welcome.htm
[Modified by paul79, 9:06 AM 10/26/2002]
http://www.alknochinteriors.com/welcome.htm
[Modified by paul79, 9:06 AM 10/26/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 0
From: Hampton Georgia
Re: Seat Cover Replacement (paul79)
I just asked this in c4.The same answer I got everytime was to replace the foam. As far as to have them pre-installed when you purchase them ,I think on a c4 they can be snapped in to the seat frame.On a c3 they still have to be Hog ringed on to the seat frame.Not for sure but this is what i have heard. :seeya
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Desert Maine
Re: Seat Cover Replacement (jhorlocker)
I am planning on doing the same thing this summer, and had the same question about the foam. Why would it need to be replaced if it doesn't seem that bad? is there a difference between the material used in either?
Thanks for any help
Thanks for any help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Seat Cover Replacement (jhorlocker)
I would think that replacing the foam is just a good common sense thing. I think if you're going to go through the cost and time of replacing the seat covers, while you're at it, you might as well replace the foam. Even if it doesn't "seem that bad," you never really know until you do a back to back comparo. I bet new foam feels mighty nice.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Desert Maine
Re: Seat Cover Replacement (jhorlocker)
The main reason why I asked is because I am a college student, and money is tight, but I want to be able to do some cosmetic type of things to my car, after looking at the prices at willcox on seat covers it seemed like something I could do this summer, but if I have to get new foam too that will be getting a little out of budget, so if I could get away with using the old foam. what kind of feeling does the new foam have? is it softer? or is it just thicker so that there is more padding? is there anyway of telling by measuring the thickness of the old foam or something wether it's reusable or not? If I could get away with not buying the foam I would be able to put new carpeting in, which she needs badly. Thanks for the help though, it does make sence to replace it while I have the covers off
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Seat Cover Replacement (my2crazyeyes)
If the foam has ever been wet for whatever reason, such as wet shampooing, it will smell from fungus growth on the foam. Musty smell in a Corvette? That is the reason.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: barkhamsted ct
Re: Seat Cover Replacement (jhorlocker)
I think the erplacing is pretty easy, you just position and stretch the seat and clip wit hog ring pliers, which is a heavy stape that ggeets bent into a closed circle after being pierced into the seat material and wrapping arounf a ring framework on the seat frame.
even though the foam seems kind of expensive, if youre going to the trouble of seat covers, you should replace the foam.
in other words, seat cover replacement is well within the capabilities of the average guy that has a $12 set of hog ring pliers.
even though the foam seems kind of expensive, if youre going to the trouble of seat covers, you should replace the foam.
in other words, seat cover replacement is well within the capabilities of the average guy that has a $12 set of hog ring pliers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
Re: Seat Cover Replacement (jhorlocker)
I did mine myself about twenty years ago. I bought some used later model seats with the foam and dark blue leather in rather "ratty" shape and re-covered them myself using some black leather, two different grains that I had lying around my shop. Upholstering is fun and there's nothing like doing stuff yourself....just for the learning experience. If nothing else, you'll appreciate those who do this work professionally. I taught myself to sew and it wasn't that hard. It's probably cheaper to buy the seats already done, but....it's not as much fun as doing the whole thing yourself. By a commercial sewing machine (used) on e-bay and you'll have it for life and then you'll be able to do upholstery work yourself and for your friends. That's what I did and the money I made more than paid for the machine.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,198
Likes: 0
From: Boone NC home of 3peat National Champs ASU Mountaineers
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Seat Cover Replacement (my2crazyeyes)
Replaced mine this spring. Not too hard get some good wire cutters to get the hog rings off though. If the foam isn't messed up too bad use it I did. Mine looks great. Fun thing to do while the snow is falling.
I am planning on doing the same thing this summer, and had the same question about the foam. Why would it need to be replaced if it doesn't seem that bad? is there a difference between the material used in either?
Thanks for any help
Thanks for any help
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: UTICA ILLINOIS
Re: Seat Cover Replacement (jhorlocker)
Jlocker,
Seat covers are always an issue with Vette owners, a true common problem for most of us. Spending way too much time looking/searching for the best possible deal, I replaced mine two years ago with fantastic results. http://www.anthonysupholstery.com in Tampa has seat covers within your budget range. They offer free embrodiery on the headrests in different cross flag logos (way cool) and I went with the imit. leather, for under $200.00
Note here about the foam, THEY suggested taking a iron and STEAMING the foam before replacing it, it will BOUNCE back to life, and they were right!!!
On the installation side, I went with a local sew lady, for $75.00.
In short, the total for both were $275.00.
Good Luck, and I hope that web site I gave you is working, if not you'll need to run a search.
Seat covers are always an issue with Vette owners, a true common problem for most of us. Spending way too much time looking/searching for the best possible deal, I replaced mine two years ago with fantastic results. http://www.anthonysupholstery.com in Tampa has seat covers within your budget range. They offer free embrodiery on the headrests in different cross flag logos (way cool) and I went with the imit. leather, for under $200.00
Note here about the foam, THEY suggested taking a iron and STEAMING the foam before replacing it, it will BOUNCE back to life, and they were right!!!
On the installation side, I went with a local sew lady, for $75.00.
In short, the total for both were $275.00.
Good Luck, and I hope that web site I gave you is working, if not you'll need to run a search.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Springfield MA
Re: Seat Cover Replacement (CORVETTE CRAIG)
My seats were recovered 7 years ago (6 before I bought the car) but the foams were not replaced.
Now the foam is degrading and the particles are getting everywhere. So even though my covers are nearly mint, I've got to replace the foam. Bubba strikes again.... replace the foam.
Now the foam is degrading and the particles are getting everywhere. So even though my covers are nearly mint, I've got to replace the foam. Bubba strikes again.... replace the foam.
