Vette Essentials
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Middlesex NJ
Vette Essentials
Anyone gotten Ken to redo their interior, but dont at via the distance method? I'd like to stich up a Vette Essentials interior but dont have the time to drive out and do it in person.
Most of the parts I could put in myself, tho I wouldnt try the seats, and thats what I want the most. The factory vinyl/leather on the seats is just not good stuff.
Anyway. Anyone done this? Mail the seats to Ken, have him stich them up and return them, then just drop em back in? thoughts, experiences, shipping nightmares?
Thanks.
Most of the parts I could put in myself, tho I wouldnt try the seats, and thats what I want the most. The factory vinyl/leather on the seats is just not good stuff.
Anyway. Anyone done this? Mail the seats to Ken, have him stich them up and return them, then just drop em back in? thoughts, experiences, shipping nightmares?
Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Bradenton, FL
Originally Posted by jinxxman1
Most of the parts I could put in myself, tho I wouldnt try the seats, and thats what I want the most.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
I think thats how most people have just installed the new skins. If you haven't done so already take a look at the install instructions. I would suspect you could do it yourself with some time and a little patience.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,551
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From: Flowery Branch GA
simple, pick what you want, order, wait for them to arrive, remove your current seats, take into air conditioned room follow the directions ken provides, allow for the better part of a day to do each..... done.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Bradenton, FL
Originally Posted by TNT C5
Ken won't re-stitch existing seats - he only makes new skins and he is the best!! 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
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I ordered the whole package from Ken and Sandy, and me and a bunch of Vette buddies got together on a Sunday and knocked the whole thing out. The only thing we didn't do ourselves was the steering wheel, I took it in to the dealer because I was "afraid" to mess with the airbag.
The seats are a lot easier than you think - and I had never done them before either. I even replaced the foam and converted the seats from Base seats to Sport Seats. Ken has great instructions on his site. Do yourself a favor, get a set of hog-ring pliers.
When you're all done - you can step back and admire your work! There's an awful lot of satisfaction and pride when you do it yourself!
The seats are a lot easier than you think - and I had never done them before either. I even replaced the foam and converted the seats from Base seats to Sport Seats. Ken has great instructions on his site. Do yourself a favor, get a set of hog-ring pliers.
When you're all done - you can step back and admire your work! There's an awful lot of satisfaction and pride when you do it yourself!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
I was there to "supervise" Randy's (blacksedan87) install and can testify that they are sweet! Excellent quality and anyone with average mechanical ability can do it.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
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Originally Posted by eddie44
I was there to "supervise" Randy's (blacksedan87) install and can testify that they are sweet! Excellent quality and anyone with average mechanical ability can do it.
Hiya, Eddie! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
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From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I haven't done my seats but anything else I've bought from Ken fits perfectly the first time, and his instructions make everything easy. I'm sure his seat covers would be the same.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 68
From: Bowling Green KY
Originally Posted by jinxxman1
Anyway. Anyone done this? Mail the seats to Ken, have him stich them up and return them, then just drop em back in? thoughts, experiences, shipping nightmares?
Thanks.
I bought the full package from Ken, and had a local auto upholstery shop install the seat covers for $100. That is probably no more expensive than the shipping cost to ship the seats back and forth to Ken. BTW, the guy at the upholstery shop said they had never had a set of seat covers fit as good as Ken's.Bottom line, pull the trigger!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
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From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Another vote for Ken at Vette Essentials. Great leather products that will considerably enhance your interior. Just look at some of the stunning interior and color combo examples on this thread. Just do it. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 808
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From: The Villages FL
St. Jude Donor '13
If you want to see what the seats look like without the covers check ou the link in my sig. That will give you an idea what you will be working with.
You wont regret the upgrade...go for the full package.
Ken and Sandy rock!!!
Don
You wont regret the upgrade...go for the full package.
Ken and Sandy rock!!!
Don
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Ken can do them that way, but the shipping is quite expensive. I had him make me a set of custom covers then had an upholstery shop in a town nearby install them. Cost me $100 for both seats. And they did a great job.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Middlesex NJ
oh its not a question of if, just when. Since the who shabang is gonna run about 2k, I've just been socking away some milk money here and there.
Sounds like doing it myself is the way to go. I read thru Kens instructions and they are super thorough. Anyone have an 04' CE with a VE interior? I was thinkning of adding in some blue to the shale. Pix would be great.
Damn those interiors look sweet.
Sounds like doing it myself is the way to go. I read thru Kens instructions and they are super thorough. Anyone have an 04' CE with a VE interior? I was thinkning of adding in some blue to the shale. Pix would be great.
Damn those interiors look sweet.
