Leather seat cover replacements
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
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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CorvetteBrent (09-11-2018)
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#3
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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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#4
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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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 )
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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#6
Intermediate
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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#8
Melting Slicks
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#9
Burning Brakes
#10
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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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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.
#13
Intermediate
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.
#14
Intermediate
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.
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#19
Drifting
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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#20
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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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