Upholstery question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Redmond WA
Upholstery question
The seats in my 99 coupe are showing a lot of wear after 46k miles. I read some tech articles saying that while under warranty there's a procedure to reinforce the padding in the seats.
Given that I'm no longer covered by waranty - what's the best method for reinforcing or replacing the seats? I'm not looking for anything exotic - just standard OEM seats. What do you suppose this would cost at an upholstery shop?
Given that I'm no longer covered by waranty - what's the best method for reinforcing or replacing the seats? I'm not looking for anything exotic - just standard OEM seats. What do you suppose this would cost at an upholstery shop?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
By wearing out I am assuming that the leather is getting tattered - that's what usually happens. There are several vendors (including GM)that offer replacement skin (and underlying foam padding) sets in OEM and other colors. Some of our forum vendors (like Vette Essentials) offer sets that will give you much better longevity(SP) than the OEMs will. These kits can be installed DIY or can be done by a body/upholstery shop - depends on how handy (and patient) you are. You can also monitor the for sale section to pick up replacements there, although they will be used) - I've seen used sets go for $3- 400, while new will be more. Surf the vette shop web sites to find what prices they have..
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,947
Likes: 24,704
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
You can get replacement seat panels from places like Mid-America, Ecklers, etc. that will be as good if not better than the OEM ones.
I had a set of Vette Essential covers installed on mine and the local upholstery shop charged me a total of $80 to do the swap. Not too bad.
I had a set of Vette Essential covers installed on mine and the local upholstery shop charged me a total of $80 to do the swap. Not too bad.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Vette Essentials makes maybe the best there is. The service and quality are second to none! VE also sells replacement foam for the standard and the sport seats. in fact, you can convert standard seats to sport seats simply by ordering the foam, as the seat frame is the same on both. You will not have the adjustable lumbar or side bolsters of the factory sport seats, but you will have the rest.
I am going to have VE do my interior in the spring - I can't wait!
http://www.vetteessentials.com/
I am going to have VE do my interior in the spring - I can't wait!
http://www.vetteessentials.com/
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: The Villages FL
St. Jude Donor '13
VE has the best value for the money. View the link in my sig to see what a C5 seat looks like without the cover. That may help you decide what you want to do with the "inside" of your seats...
Don
Don
