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Leather seat cover replacements

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Old 09-04-2018, 03:44 PM
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STRMLNE
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Default Leather seat cover replacements

does anyone know a good aftermarket replacement? Factory doesn’t make them anymore and it looks like vette essentials went out of business. Thanks.
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Old 09-04-2018, 05:13 PM
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blackbear bob
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3 years and going strong with my Interior Innovations full leather.
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Old 09-04-2018, 06:59 PM
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Vetteman Jack
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Mid-America, Caravaggio, and Ridies all sell leather seat covers and there are probably more vendors. Check the vendor directory on the forum for more options.
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Old 09-05-2018, 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by STRMLNE
does anyone know a good aftermarket replacement? Factory doesn’t make them anymore and it looks like vette essentials went out of business. Thanks.
You can goto this page and pick the pattern that you want and design your own covers https://ridies.com/Products/Corvette/C5
Or you can call us at 317-516-5962

Lot of people on this forum will vouch for our product and services.

Thanks
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Old 09-05-2018, 09:37 PM
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Several members have shown photos of their installed Ridies sear covers which look good.
In addition to others that Jack mentioned, you could check out vendors Corvette America, Corvette Central and Zip Corvettes. There are probably more than that, too. It does appear that Ridies offers a broader selection of styles and better pricing than some of the others.
While you're doing seats you may want to consider new seat foam. My leather was good but the seats were "weak." Replaced the foam and reinstalled the covers and the seats look and sit like new. My wife thinks this is probably one of the best improvements we've made to the car (although she loves the idle, too )
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Old 09-05-2018, 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by STRMLNE
does anyone know a good aftermarket replacement? Factory doesn’t make them anymore and it looks like vette essentials went out of business. Thanks.
Are your seats torn or in very bad shape or just worn and some of the color worn off? I just had the typical worn leather on the driver's side bolster and was very pleased with a touch up using Leather Restorer touch-up kit (they also have kits fir the entire seats. See my attached before and after photos, (I just touched up the bolster from seam to seam)

Before touch up

After touch up color and satin top coat


Last edited by zuburg; 09-05-2018 at 09:58 PM.
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Old 09-06-2018, 12:25 PM
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^^^^^

What was the brand of the restorer you used?

Seems a few choices out there...
Old 09-06-2018, 03:56 PM
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Thanks. I wonder why the ridies leather is so much cheaper than the other brands.

Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
Mid-America, Caravaggio, and Ridies all sell leather seat covers and there are probably more vendors. Check the vendor directory on the forum for more options.
Old 09-06-2018, 11:21 PM
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98am
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Originally Posted by STRMLNE
does anyone know a good aftermarket replacement? Factory doesn’t make them anymore and it looks like vette essentials went out of business. Thanks.
Ridies.com - I love mine
Old 09-07-2018, 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by oh1vette
^^^^^

What was the brand of the restorer you used?

Seems a few choices out there...
I purchased from an EBay store called Seats Restore (http://www.ebaystores.com/SEATS-RESTORE)

They provided great customer service. The suggest you check the color swatch they include on the bottle cap to ensure it is the right color. I thought the one they sent me was too dark and requested some other color swatches. They quickly sent me a page with nearly a dozen different greys. I then selected the best match and they sent me a replacement, I didn’t even have to ship the original back (since it was just a touch up kit, the bottle was very small). The sheen on the colorant is low luster so you have to also use the Satin top coat to get a good match. The kit also includes some sponge applicators on a stick that made the application very easy. I also asked some questions about my application by email that they answered very quickly. The colorant is water based so cleanup was easy as well.
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Old 09-07-2018, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by zuburg


I purchased from an EBay store called Seats Restore (http://www.ebaystores.com/SEATS-RESTORE)

They provided great customer service. The suggest you check the color swatch they include on the bottle cap to ensure it is the right color. I thought the one they sent me was too dark and requested some other color swatches. They quickly sent me a page with nearly a dozen different greys. I then selected the best match and they sent me a replacement, I didn’t even have to ship the original back (since it was just a touch up kit, the bottle was very small). The sheen on the colorant is low luster so you have to also use the Satin top coat to get a good match. The kit also includes some sponge applicators on a stick that made the application very easy. I also asked some questions about my application by email that they answered very quickly. The colorant is water based so cleanup was easy as well.
Thanks for the info on the color repair you did to your leather! Hopefully, you will give some updates along the as about how well the finish is holding up. This could be a great benefit to many members if the color will last for any reasonable period of time.
Old 09-07-2018, 05:57 PM
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I got mine from Interior Innovations. Very happy with the seat covers and seat foams. Here's before and after photos.

Old 09-07-2018, 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Route99
Thanks for the info on the color repair you did to your leather! Hopefully, you will give some updates along the as about how well the finish is holding up. This could be a great benefit to many members if the color will last for any reasonable period of time.
i just purchased my C5 about a month ago and have been fixing several of the common problems such as the rocking seats, replacing the lumbar/bolster bladders and the worn leather. I expect the leather repair to last a long time as I am very conscious of it as I enter the car and try not to slide across the bolster at all. It can be a challenge in the garage when I can’t open the door as wide as I would like. I’ll try to remember to post an update in a year.
Old 09-07-2018, 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by 1997 C5
I got mine from Interior Innovations. Very happy with the seat covers and seat foams. Here's before and after photos.

I love the two-tone seats, but I also love my repair for under $50 for now. The car only has 38K miles on it, so didn’t think it needed complete new covers.
Old 09-07-2018, 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by zuburg


I love the two-tone seats, but I also love my repair for under $50 for now. The car only has 38K miles on it, so didn’t think it needed complete new covers.
Yep $50 can't beat that. My seat covers and seat foams costed $500.00 and I paid a friend to install them.
Old 09-07-2018, 07:36 PM
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I’m a fan and very satisfied customer or Interior Innovations/Ridies. I have no idea why they are cheaper but I find the quality to be excellent.
Old 09-07-2018, 08:46 PM
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check out AL Knock Interiors, just google it.

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Old 09-07-2018, 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by 99 topless
check out AL Knock Interiors, just google it.
http://www.alknochinteriors.com/stor...-seat-covers-2
Old 09-08-2018, 11:43 AM
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I purchased my covers from Ridies and was very pleased with the quality. Didn't take that long to get them and they were relatively easy to install. I compared prices and these were about $400 less than the other main competitors. Lots of options too with color selection. I would also recommend new seat cushions. I repaired my drivers side bottom half with the jute mat that's available and new top half foam was replaced. Feels like a new seat.
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Old 09-08-2018, 12:28 PM
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Nice job slopoke. I did complete foam and covers of course. Total cost for everything was under $1200, and the big thing for me and I’m sure others is design flexibility. They will basically do anything you ask with the materials they have available, which is ample. I’m sure if one wants something special they do not have on hand they will find a way to do it for you.
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