Installing Vette Essentials seat Covers
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 855
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
Installing Vette Essentials seat Covers
For those with, did you do the install yourselves or did you have a shop do it? I'm looking at the instructions on their site and it looks pretty involved, especially the cutting part. I'm usually a DIY'er but this has actually got me a little freaked out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Your already talking alot of $$ to get the covers, if I was even a little hesitant I would have a local shop do the install.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
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From: Arizona
I'm ready to place my order, too, but after looking at the installation instructions, I realized that I should find a pro to install them. Been searching here in the Twin Cities, but I'm still haven't found a shop I'm comfortable with. The 'basic' shops may not do a good job; there are a couple of auto custom shops here, but they want to create the covers themselves and don't seem interested in installing someone else's stuff. Guess I have to look harder. Good luck!
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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
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I did my VE install myself - with the support and help of a few Corvette buddies. Since then - I've done more than a few.
Part of Ken King's legacy was that he left a great set of instructions on his site, that have been used for years by many here. The hardest part of a project of this type is getting started. It really isn't that hard. Take your time, follow the step by step instructions and when you've completed it - you will not only have the satisfaction of a beautiful interior done in the high quality leather, and with unbelievable workmanship - you'll also have the satisfaction of being able to say that you did it yourself.
Why pay someone who really doesn't care about your car to do it....no one cares more about your Corvette than you do - go for it!!!!!
Part of Ken King's legacy was that he left a great set of instructions on his site, that have been used for years by many here. The hardest part of a project of this type is getting started. It really isn't that hard. Take your time, follow the step by step instructions and when you've completed it - you will not only have the satisfaction of a beautiful interior done in the high quality leather, and with unbelievable workmanship - you'll also have the satisfaction of being able to say that you did it yourself.
Why pay someone who really doesn't care about your car to do it....no one cares more about your Corvette than you do - go for it!!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: guthrie oklahoma
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
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From: Huntsville AL
Race Director
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I plan to get a tune done at the same time I install the new skins so I hope to work out a deal with a local shop. Usually if you combine services/down time, you get a better deal.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Albertson New York
Taking your time is the key. You need patience. Go to a fabric store and get a bolt of batting. Use the batting to even out areas where there is too much room between leather and foam - there will be.
Also at the fabric store pick up plain flannel. Use the flannel between the foam and the seat wires in the frame. The wires tend to cut through the foam and this will stop that.
Do it on a warm day so the leather is softer to work with. The hardest part is re-attaching the power seat bezel and lining it up with the cuts you made in the leather and the push back you get with new foam.
Time also to repair any other item on the seat that has driven you crazy - rocking seat, broken side bolsters, etc.
good luck
Also at the fabric store pick up plain flannel. Use the flannel between the foam and the seat wires in the frame. The wires tend to cut through the foam and this will stop that.
Do it on a warm day so the leather is softer to work with. The hardest part is re-attaching the power seat bezel and lining it up with the cuts you made in the leather and the push back you get with new foam.
Time also to repair any other item on the seat that has driven you crazy - rocking seat, broken side bolsters, etc.
good luck
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I had a local upholstery shop do mine and they charged me $100 total. Took about 2 hours.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 855
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 855
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
Wow! Part of me wants to do it myself and part wants to have a shop do it. I work two jobs right now and I'm finding it really tough to find the time to do anything.
So far I've got these seat covers, SLP Spoiler and Euro tail lights to install. I'm probably gonna add a set of long tubes, cut-outs and an Elite Engineering thermal tunnel plate to the pile, damn i need a vacation....
So far I've got these seat covers, SLP Spoiler and Euro tail lights to install. I'm probably gonna add a set of long tubes, cut-outs and an Elite Engineering thermal tunnel plate to the pile, damn i need a vacation....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 855
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
Taking your time is the key. You need patience. Go to a fabric store and get a bolt of batting. Use the batting to even out areas where there is too much room between leather and foam - there will be.
Also at the fabric store pick up plain flannel. Use the flannel between the foam and the seat wires in the frame. The wires tend to cut through the foam and this will stop that.
Do it on a warm day so the leather is softer to work with. The hardest part is re-attaching the power seat bezel and lining it up with the cuts you made in the leather and the push back you get with new foam.
Time also to repair any other item on the seat that has driven you crazy - rocking seat, broken side bolsters, etc.
good luck
Also at the fabric store pick up plain flannel. Use the flannel between the foam and the seat wires in the frame. The wires tend to cut through the foam and this will stop that.
Do it on a warm day so the leather is softer to work with. The hardest part is re-attaching the power seat bezel and lining it up with the cuts you made in the leather and the push back you get with new foam.
Time also to repair any other item on the seat that has driven you crazy - rocking seat, broken side bolsters, etc.
good luck
Great advice right there, thanks alot
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,977
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From: Delmar Delaware
Wow! Part of me wants to do it myself and part wants to have a shop do it. I work two jobs right now and I'm finding it really tough to find the time to do anything.
So far I've got these seat covers, SLP Spoiler and Euro tail lights to install. I'm probably gonna add a set of long tubes, cut-outs and an Elite Engineering thermal tunnel plate to the pile, damn i need a vacation....
So far I've got these seat covers, SLP Spoiler and Euro tail lights to install. I'm probably gonna add a set of long tubes, cut-outs and an Elite Engineering thermal tunnel plate to the pile, damn i need a vacation....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 855
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
