Cheaper, Lighter, and alot easier 
Seat Cover Madness
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Seat Cover Madness
Just got a new set of seat covers and began taking the old ones off. Yikes! Can someone tell me if there is some trick to it? And once I get all those staples off (assuming I do) how to get them back on?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Believe me, they're much easier to take off than to install. I just attempted to do mine. Got them off easy enough. Cleaned up the frames, sanded a little rust, etc. I got the steel rods installed in the back of the covers but did not have the tools (puller, hog ring pliers) to pull them thru the foam and attach to the frame. So off to the upholstery shop they went.
I read some pretty funny threads recently on the Forum regarding installation of seat covers. It's a tough job to do it yourself. I understand how they go together, but couldn't make it happen. Use the search feature on the Forum and you'll find a website that has step by step instructions on how to do it, with pictures. I think it's "corvettefaq", but not sure. Good luck.
I read some pretty funny threads recently on the Forum regarding installation of seat covers. It's a tough job to do it yourself. I understand how they go together, but couldn't make it happen. Use the search feature on the Forum and you'll find a website that has step by step instructions on how to do it, with pictures. I think it's "corvettefaq", but not sure. Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
If you decide to give it a try, beware of the upper back section at the release button. Mine ripped straight up the center. Cost over $100 for the replacement. I was told you can repair it, but you will never get the stiching to line up correctly so it will look like a repair job.
I have the Al Knoch video for C3's. Don't buy it. I'll loan out my copy so long as I get it back.
Jeff
I have the Al Knoch video for C3's. Don't buy it. I'll loan out my copy so long as I get it back.
Jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 837
Likes: 3
From: Texas
This may be the site Kalaway was talking about. http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001...s/seatspg1.asp
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
do your self a favor and buy hog ring pliers about 20 bucks from Eastwood company, i also bought a fabric stretcher from them for another 20 bucks.... it took us about 1 week end per seat cover to put them back on over the new foam.. put them on one day and let them stretch and then pull them tight the next day....use a couple of hair dryers ( if its vinyl) and take your time....just wait until you try to get those funny looking connectors to go through the new seat foam and hook over the long metal rods...PITA...also the seat backs are different from the Pass side to drives side pay attention to the indentation on the back of the seat frames... its not so hard but really time consuming and ir you have any wrinkles take it apart and do it over again... keep the old stuff for reference when putting in the new stuff.... good luck they will look great when done...
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Last edited by bobs77vet; Nov 13, 2004 at 09:41 PM. Reason: added photos
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
awwwwwwww, yes memories. I do remember it being much easier to apply the covers after a good hour in the sun to warm the covers. This makes them much more plyable. Jim
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by PROSOUTH
awwwwwwww, yes memories. I do remember it being much easier to apply the covers after a good hour in the sun to warm the covers. This makes them much more plyable. Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
HDIronman there got the right idea with the zip/cable ties much easier and faster, and to get the material to slip over/on the rubber, cover the rubber first with a garbage bag, things slip over and snuggle up easy that way, frankly I think the seat covers are among the easier jobs done on a car....
GENE
GENE