Help on Seat Covers

[Pepe Le Pew]

I am trying to decide the best way to redo my seats on my 1980 Vette. Is it very hard to install leather or vinyl seat covers yourself? Has anyone ever tackled this on an amateur level? Any ideas, advise or tips would be greatly appreciated. ;help
Thanks!

 

[69MyWay]

It can be done. You need good quality hog ring plyers, and plenty of extra time on your hands.

Most shops will install them for you very reasonable, and often worth the price to have them stretched right and tight the first time.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I just paid $200 a seat for the labor providing the materials. Included straightening and reinforcing the driver's side frame, new seat foam and new original style leather

 

[smurfvet]

A couple of years ago Eckler's had a deal on installation of the covers, foam and a refurbish of the seats for free if you bought an interior kit. Since I needed the whole thing anyway, I took out the seats and shipped them off. It took a few months (3 to be exact), but the results were well worth it. With the discount for purchasing the entire interior kit, and the free installation (which is normally $250, I think), I saved over $450.

I probably could have done it, but the 40 bucks for UPS was the way to go. I don't think I have the patience, nor do I "know all the tricks" to do a GOOD job. I looked for 1/2 hour to find fault with the seats- there weren't any!!!

I believe the seats went to Corvette America in PA. Check their website as well to see if they have any deals.

 

[Pepe Le Pew]

I'm Puzzled,
I have seen Leather-like seat covers in a Mid America catalog for $200. My local Corvette shop can order backs and bottoms, ready to bolt on for $560. I was just wondering if I could save $360 by doing it myself and use the savings for some other part of my car.
:confused

 

[JohnZ]

You CAN do it yourself, but you probably won't be happy with the results, and it can be very frustrating; I'd recommend taking them to a good trim shop and paying them to do it - they have all the right tools and techniques to do it right. There's more to doing seat trim covers RIGHT than meets the eye, and they know all the tricks.

 

[quickjagg]

I recoverd the seeats in my 81 over christmas break, and found it to be a lot easier than everyone on here says it is. just make sure that you do it with someone else, I don't think I would have wanted to do this by myself. Be sure to get new foam, and one of those instalation kits. You will need extra hog rings, and a good set of hogring pliers. the hog ring pliers are very important, if you get one of those cheap $5.00 sets you will be making this more difficult on yourself (I started out with the cheap ones =).

I recomend getting the covers from Willcox, they are extreamly friendly to work with, and their covers are top-notch.

If you need any tips along the way I would be glad to help in anyway I can.

Here are a few pics of the seats that I did.
Keep in mind that I'm 20, and this was my first attempt at recovering seats.
It's a great learning experience, and the seats will mean a lot more to you if you do it yourself.

Just my .02

-Chris

 

[Nut]

Pepe.... I bought the leather seats with new foam from Ecklers last year and popped them in the seat backs myself. Now it took an hour or two to get the first ones out and new seats in; but the second seat took only 1/2 hour. It's easier than you think but you must have patience!! You break the clips in the seat pans and you've got problems. Take your time.

Regards............ Nut

 

[Pepe Le Pew]

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate the pointers.:TALK

 

[Rich80]

Try this Link. Ive never bought from these guys but maybe someone here has....
http://www.yankeelady.com/willcox/willcox4.htm#seats

570.00 --Vinyl/Leather replacements with new foam already mounted.....

 

[Pepe Le Pew]

Thanks Rich,
I think that is the direction I'm heading. By the time I get the covers, new foam, mounting hardware and tools. I might as well just buy the seats already covered and ready to install. At least I'll know that it will be done right. Thanks again.

 

[Dave L.]

quickjagg - if you ask me I think you did a nice job on your seats. They look great!

Dave

 

[Corvette Craig]

PePe

Food for thought:
I had my seats recovered last year for a total of $270.00
$200.00 for imit. leather covers (which are embroidered) and paid 70.00 for the install. I got the covers from www.anthonysupholstery.com in Tampa, Fl. A great guy to work with. When I was shopping for covers, I too was figuring on getting new foam, but with his suggestion, all you have to do is steam the foam, and it comes back like brand new. When I questioned him about putting the covers on, again, he suggested I call a LOCAL detail shop, which is why it only cost 70.00 to put them on. I drove the seats and new covers in, picked them up the next day. I couldn't have been happier, after pricing and searching for about two years, I finally had new seats, and alot cheaper than the going rates!!!
One thing you need to know about Imitation Leather vs. real Leather, HEAT. In the summer, the imit. leather does get kinda hot, but living in Illinois, it's not much a problem.
But you can't beat the cost.
If you wanna see pics, I have them posted here in the Members Gallery.

 

[Pepe Le Pew]

Mmmmm! Definitely some good advise. Thanks for the pictures Quickjagg and Vette Craig. I hope my seats look that good someday. They both look awsome! I really appreciate all the help and advise. The is the best.

 

[Imran]

Re: PePe

Food for thought:
I got the covers from www.anthonysupholstery.com in Tampa, Fl. A great guy to work with.

Hey, their website isn't up, happen to have any other contact info?

Thanks a lot

 

[76L82]

Quickjagg - "Wicked Good" job from another Mainer!!!

 

[quickjagg]

76L82: Thanks, where in maine do you live? If you're ever in the mt. desert island area look me up., always love to meet another C3 lover!