Looking to replace my seat covers and would like to get some input from those that have done it?

Thanks
Mark

 

It is not a complicated DIY project - did it myself about a year ago. It is a job that requires patience and can be time consuming, especially if you are using new seat foam ( which I recommend). The new foam has not been compacted like the original foam and will require a lot more tugging and pushing. There are a number of ways to ease the tugging and pushing, such as heat or steam, or a little powder where the seat sticks to the foam.

While you are at it I'd improve the driver side seat by protecting the foam from the underwires, padding the driver side bolster, and adding some extra foam in the front left of the drivers seat where it gets damaged from getting in and out.

Check out all of your bezel pieces before you start to make sure they are not damaged - if so get the replacements before you start.

Lastly, if you have the rocking seat problem - this is the time to fix it.

 

I would like to replace mine as well. Where's a good place to get stock seat covers for a 02 coupe?

 

Awesome. They look nice. I want.

 

Got mine at Corvette America. There are numerous suppliers out there. I'm quite happy with my results. I had a need to go with leather, but you can choose a number of different materials.

 

This outfit has a straight grain leather option and fantastic prices. Best prices i have found and fast to ship out! The C5 Z06 covers with red stitching are sweet https://www.interior-innovations.com...duct_detail/63

 

The toughest part is disconnecting the electrical under the seats.

 

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/video...portScInstall/

 

I have done upholstery on collector cars for over 25 years. Installing seat covers is easy. Making them look good after they are installed is difficult. In most pictures I have seen of owner installed seat covers they do not look good to me, but then I am very critical. If you want to try it yourself and are willing to pull, tug, slap and whatever else is required to get them to look good, go ahead and do it yourself. If you are satisfied with the results that is all that matters. There is no reason you cannot install them and have them look perfect.

 

I just did mine 3 months ago. After researching a bit I purchased the all leather seat covers from JW Motoring. It came with some leather door handle covers, grab bar cover, as well as a leather shift boot. I also added a padded leather center console cover. I purchased new foam too. After watching a couple of videos on You Tube I felt it would be fairly straight forward, and it was. The first seat took about an hour to complete after stripping it to the frame. I did it slowly and realized it really was simple. The second seat took about 20-30 minutes to complete. I was very pleased with the fit of the covers......and the smell of the leather was an added bonus! I opted to use zip ties in place of metal hog rings. The hardest part was probably the placement of the perforations for attachment of the side plastic for the switches. The foam is so new, and uncompressed that it was an exercise in persistence and patience. They now look as good as new and I don't think that a professional installation would have been any better. This was the first time I have ever attempted this kind of project, so as a new challenge it was truly simple. You sure save a chunk of change. The additional pieces I mentioned also look great, especially the padded console cover. It's now thick enough to sit higher making it a more comfortable arm rest.

 

Thanks Guys for all the input. I have covers coming and I think I will replace the foam as well since I will have them apart. Can't wait to make the old girl look better then she does now!

 

One thing that will help the new skins to survive longer than the old ones is to spend some time on the foundations of the seat. Pop for two of the $40 seat foam kits that provide extra firm foam that keeps the stock foam from dropping down into the frame. This really improves the seat. The kits also have a sheet that lays over the springs so the foam doesn't get cut by the springs and then sag down over them. The kit also has jute backing which I added to my seats. This pushed the seat bottom up and made for much firmer seat bottom.

Then you want to apply some materials to the inside of your seat foam. First you need to glue some heavy duty cloth in the grooves where the seat foam slides over the edges of the seat frame. This will help slow down the cutting of the foam from sitting on the edges of the seat hundreds of times and then sliding into the car. On the seat back foam you want to do the same thing. Get some heavy duty cloth to glue into the foam parts that slide over the frame's sharp side bolsters. You could work boot shoe leather in the side bolster and it would still wear out due to the design problem under the foam. These things will help your new skins and foam survive. The most important thing to do is to make sure people practice the correct way to get into a C4, C5, C6 or C7. Face away from the car put your rear ward hand on the seat side bolster then sit on the seat bottom using your hand to guide your butt away from the side bolster. Then swivel your legs in and close the door. Even the original covers would have lasted much longer with this simple change by the original owners. I saw new C5s with torn side bolsters within 30 days of taking delivery due to people not knowing how to get into and out of the cars.

Bill

 

Bill, do you have a seat bottom kit you would suggest using?