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I am highly considering wrapping my seats with new leather covers, the car is 14 years old and has 32k miles, should I replace the seat foam, the passenger feels fine it still has firmness, but the driver side of course is not firm.
I'm awaiting a new set of seat covers. I also ordered new foam. Most advice on the forum seems to recommend replacing the foam. Every time I have taken an older Seat apart I have found the foam to have deteriorated, and my driver's seat is in similar shape as yours. The door side bolster is worn thru to the leather as well. Alonso look into those kits that offer ballistic nylon and jute to prevent the seat wires from cutting thru the foam.
I'm having Vette Essentials make a new set of seat covers for my 99 Vert. I've got 67K miles on it and decided to do new foam. They made it an easy decision since they threw the foam it at no cost. It was special and they might still be offering it. I dealt with Sandy and she was awesome.
I just replaced both driver and passenger seat covers with full leather and foam...completely different feel in the car. However, be mindful that the 'bladder" for the lumbar support is also the same age and may be weak, leak and or simply non-functional. If you care about that part of the seat, since you'll be opening up the entire project you might also want to consider that upgrade as well...
If you are replacing skins, new foam, cause the old foam more then likely damaged, and installing the new skins could make it difficult.
Now if you are installing seat covers and have heated seats, don't use them!
Don't forget to posts picture when done.
At least the foam on the bottoms. If you don't replace the backs it might look wrinkled too.
I agree with the others that mentioned lining the springs with ballistic nylon and jute to keep the springs from cutting into the foam again. Jute looks like yarn and dryer lent mixed, like that grayish brown auto carpet padding. You can use it on the side bolsters to keep them from cutting into the foam.
I replaced the seat bottom foam and swapped back foam from the passenger to driver side. 95% of the time nobody is sitting in my passenger seat anyway and it looks great.
If you are going so far as to replace the covers than absolutely replace the foam. In fact, I'd add some extra in the driver side bolster and also add burlap or a piece of carpet to protect the wires from damaging the new foam. (This recommendation is based on my experience.) Just due to age, you will find the old foam has dried out and lost a lot of its resiliency. No reason not to do it right and save yourself a bunch of issues 5 years from now.
With a set of seat foam costing close to $300 you could get away with buying just one bottom and covering the springs with ballistic nylon. You can steam old foam to help restore its shape. You can also put thick foam blocks under the bottom side bolsters to keep them from collapsing.
ABSOLUTELY..just did my seats on low mileage '03. The foam looked like it was 100 years old! The skins are meant to go on new foam, you will not be happy with the look on the tired old foam and blame it on the covers. Think about installing seat heaters while there, great improvement even if it is just for the G/F, lol.
i agree ^^^ new foam.. why not when u consider the cost of the skins
I got mine from vette essentials. sandy was great, superior customer service. i'm really happy with the quality and workmanship. also, the guy who did the swap did tell me it was a simple thing to fix the lumbar bladders and add heated seats.. i didn't need either but its good to know
Interior Innovations. Finished the first one yesterday. The seat back foam gave me fits, too big in areas and needed lots of trimming. Since it's also firmer, harder to compress when finally securing to the frame, but it's very comfortable.
Interior Innovations. Finished the first one yesterday. The seat back foam gave me fits, too big in areas and needed lots of trimming. Since it's also firmer, harder to compress when finally securing to the frame, but it's very comfortable.
Hey Lou, this is a Jersey Geography thread! We lived in the Kensington Apts for 2 years, then in Edison for 31! Ever go to Galloping Hill on Monday nites?
Hey Lou, this is a Jersey Geography thread! We lived in the Kensington Apts for 2 years, then in Edison for 31! Ever go to Galloping Hill on Monday nites?
My God....totally forgot about Galloping Hills until you just mentioned it...LOL. Yeah I have been there. Kensington is just a short walk from my place. I live on the other side of the Turnpike , what's known as Old Fords. Right behind School #14
Interior Innovations. Synthetic with genuine leather inserts. Less than $400.
I fixed up the old foam but I honestly wish I had listened to others here and replaced the drivers side foam at a minimum. It's broken down again and I'll have to do it eventually.
One thing for sure to do is put something on the bottom of the seat foam to keep the wires from cutting in. I used pieces of the old original covers and it worked really well.
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New leather seat covers
