Replacing Leather Seat Covers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Nazareth PA
Replacing Leather Seat Covers
Hi fellow members..
I'm thinking of replacing my leather sport seats with new leather skins, I'm still deciding on which just wondering if anyone else has done this and how easy was it? I did it on a C4 and it was a PITA.
I've seen a few you tube videos, and read some write ups and it seemed fairly easy.
I've got a quote from a local shop and they are upwards of 500.00 just to install. Which I feel is way overpriced.
Any help or suggestions would be great!
Thanks.
I'm thinking of replacing my leather sport seats with new leather skins, I'm still deciding on which just wondering if anyone else has done this and how easy was it? I did it on a C4 and it was a PITA.
I've seen a few you tube videos, and read some write ups and it seemed fairly easy.
I've got a quote from a local shop and they are upwards of 500.00 just to install. Which I feel is way overpriced.
Any help or suggestions would be great!
Thanks.
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I replaced my seat covers with a set from Vette Essentials and had a local auto upholstery shop do the work. They charged me $200 but did a great job. $500 is way, way too much for the job. Check around - there has to be better deals out there. If you have any car clubs nearby, check with them for some recommendations on a shop to use.
If you want to try it yourself, check out the instructions at www.vetteessentials.com - they go step by step on what to do.
If you want to try it yourself, check out the instructions at www.vetteessentials.com - they go step by step on what to do.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
Here's the best instructions I know of.
http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...er_change.html
$500....well we all need to make a living. But If I could do a set a day, I could pace myself to retire!
Jack, you type faster than me.
http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...er_change.html
$500....well we all need to make a living. But If I could do a set a day, I could pace myself to retire!
Jack, you type faster than me.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
It's real easy and should take you about 6-8 hours from start to finish. I am mid-range talent level on project like this and it didn't take me but a Saturday to complete the project.
The back of the seat is zippered, the bottom is draw string and hog rings, and only take minor cutting around the seat controls which is hidden after you put on the plates. Vette Essentials has great instructions on how to do the seat cover switch. Check it them out to give you an idea of what it takes.
The back of the seat is zippered, the bottom is draw string and hog rings, and only take minor cutting around the seat controls which is hidden after you put on the plates. Vette Essentials has great instructions on how to do the seat cover switch. Check it them out to give you an idea of what it takes.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Nazareth PA
It's real easy and should take you about 6-8 hours from start to finish. I am mid-range talent level on project like this and it didn't take me but a Saturday to complete the project.
The back of the seat is zippered, the bottom is draw string and hog rings, and only take minor cutting around the seat controls which is hidden after you put on the plates. Vette Essentials has great instructions on how to do the seat cover switch. Check it them out to give you an idea of what it takes.
The back of the seat is zippered, the bottom is draw string and hog rings, and only take minor cutting around the seat controls which is hidden after you put on the plates. Vette Essentials has great instructions on how to do the seat cover switch. Check it them out to give you an idea of what it takes.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
The leather. I bought my from DJ Motorsports which is lesser quality than Vette Essentials but still look good. When you fit the bottom you have to cut the leather for the recliner and electrical controls. They are small holes and the plastic piece on the side of the seat will cover them
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 41
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http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-complete.html
Here is the thread I started from my overhaul this winter. The wrinkles on the seat are normal at the beginning and with the hot summer now they are pretty much gone.
Here is the thread I started from my overhaul this winter. The wrinkles on the seat are normal at the beginning and with the hot summer now they are pretty much gone.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Nazareth PA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,028
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From: GRAYSLAKE IL
Oldtimer
St. Jude Donor '13
I got mine from DJ Motorsport & had them installed for $200. $500 is way too much, maybe it was their way of saying they didn't want the job. I've seen threads where the folks installed them but I didn't want to chance it. Good luck whichever way you go.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I replaced the foam and leathers in a few hours and I've never done upholstery work before. DIY and save the $500 for something else.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...s-patches.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...s-patches.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 22
From: Portland OR
I did mine awhile back and I have to say that if I could have got them done for $200 I would have done so.My vette was stored in the garage for the winter so I just took the seats out and worked on them in my computer room whenever I felt like it.You have to be careful when removing that plastic wrap around that covers the controls, they can break and you are stuck without it until your new one arrives.I think about $ 35.00 for a new one shipped.
Fred
Fred
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
I have been looking at this as a tax time project for myself and the best quality I have seen so far is vette essentials but if your looking for decent at a lower price point the other site mentioned dj Motorsport seems pretty good.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Nazareth PA
I think im going with C5seats.com.
Can't beat their prices, I know it's not leather backs but neither is our OEM seats so I's rather save the 500.00 from the seats and get C6 sway bars.
595.00 with the C5 logo on the halo sounds like a bargin.
I'll ge getting new foam as well just don't know from where yet.
Can't beat their prices, I know it's not leather backs but neither is our OEM seats so I's rather save the 500.00 from the seats and get C6 sway bars.
595.00 with the C5 logo on the halo sounds like a bargin.
I'll ge getting new foam as well just don't know from where yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
I replaced my seat covers with a set from Vette Essentials and had a local auto upholstery shop do the work. They charged me $200 but did a great job. $500 is way, way too much for the job. Check around - there has to be better deals out there. If you have any car clubs nearby, check with them for some recommendations on a shop to use.
If you want to try it yourself, check out the instructions at www.vetteessentials.com - they go step by step on what to do.
If you want to try it yourself, check out the instructions at www.vetteessentials.com - they go step by step on what to do.
I put mine in myself not that bad at all. Worse part getting the seats out of the car. Then getting the old seat cover off.
Did mine over a weekend a few hours each day.. Robert
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 3
From: Amherstburg Ontario
I replaced my seat covers with a set from Vette Essentials and had a local auto upholstery shop do the work. They charged me $200 but did a great job. $500 is way, way too much for the job. Check around - there has to be better deals out there. If you have any car clubs nearby, check with them for some recommendations on a shop to use.
If you want to try it yourself, check out the instructions at www.vetteessentials.com - they go step by step on what to do.
If you want to try it yourself, check out the instructions at www.vetteessentials.com - they go step by step on what to do.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 81
From: Bel Air MD
I think im going with C5seats.com.
Can't beat their prices, I know it's not leather backs but neither is our OEM seats so I's rather save the 500.00 from the seats and get C6 sway bars.
595.00 with the C5 logo on the halo sounds like a bargin.
I'll ge getting new foam as well just don't know from where yet.
Can't beat their prices, I know it's not leather backs but neither is our OEM seats so I's rather save the 500.00 from the seats and get C6 sway bars.
595.00 with the C5 logo on the halo sounds like a bargin.
I'll ge getting new foam as well just don't know from where yet.