How hard is it to recover seats yourself?

[johnd]

topic explains my question...

Thanks,
John Dykstra

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

It is a bit of work, but not as bad as some make it out to be. If you do it make sure you get one of the rebiuld kits. One with the new wires, tie downs and installation tool. Without this it is a real pain in the A##. Good luck.


Gary

 

[tx73vette]

Like it was mentioned buy the hardware kit for $35 its well worth the money. A good pair of Hog Pliers too. You should also get new foam for your seat covers too. I redid mine on my 73 corvette used the leather like seat covers. I had never tried this before and it came out very nice I was pleased.
Since its kind of cold warm up the seat cover first it makes it fit easier. I had also heard to use a plastic garbage bag over the foam then put on your d=seat cover the just pull the garbage bag off. They say it make the seat cover go on easier. Also Eklers has a video for sell on how to install the covers I borowed one and it made my job easier to do. On the backs you will need an extra pair of hands to push on the foam while someone else pushes the wiggly wire thru. Also just do one at a time that way you can go and see if you need to look at where some of the hardware goes. If you have any questions just e-mail me at tx51dm@aol.com

Good luck

Daniel

PS just take your time.

 

[tonyk72]

It is a pain, but by the time you do the 2nd seat you will feel better about doing it. I am actually going to re-do the first seat I recovered because I'm not satisfied with the way I did it. I also tore the seat cover right above the release latch in back...(but got a new one from ebay for $9 ) So be careful working on this area!
If you do get new seat foam, like I did, make sure you cut the new foam in all the same places like the old foam..makes it much easier!

I also used a coat hanger to pull the clips through the foam...
And a good set of hog ring pliers helps, my cheapie set already broke.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

You need to honestly assess the condition of the frame as well. The guy who had the car before me was a big guy and the driver's side had some broken welds and frame straightening needed. I paid to have mine done.

 

[Blue82]

Mid America and the rest of the parts guys are asking about $750 to buy the leather covers already installed on new foam. What is a good price for labor if we buy them seperate and have a local shop install them?

 

[Rich80]

Mid America and the rest of the parts guys are asking about $750 to buy the leather covers already installed on new foam. What is a good price for labor if we buy them seperate and have a local shop install them?

Try this Link. Never bought from them but the prices are excellent...


http://www.yankeelady.com/willcox/willcox4.htm#seats

 

[Eddie 70]

I hope it is not too aweful bad. I am getting ready to order mine. I have to do foam and seat covers. Everytime I get out of mine it looks like pollen in the seats where the foam is deteriorating. Good luck to you and to me.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I learned a little trick that helped a lot when I re-covered my seats. TY-WRAPS. Yep, the little nylon zip ties that the use on wires. You can cinch all of the rods up to the wire supports on the foam and THEN put the hog rings on right where they belong the seat frame. No tugging and pulling to get those rods aligned, just zip them tight and hog ring them secure.

 

[Robin7TFour]

GREETINGS, when i recovered my seats(82 model) i went with the leather-like cover. expense and durability from moisture were the factors in my decsion.
anyway, i let the bare covers sit out in the sun for a few hours before i started.made the stretching process much easier. then once finished i let them stay in the house(a/c) for a day ,then installed. worked out great!


ROBIN

P.S. congrats to BOBCHAD on your promotion to moderator.hmmmm what kind of trouble can i cause?

 

[Blue82]

I just got a chance to goto the yankeelady link and the prices are more in line with what I would consider reasonable. Problem is that non-standard pricing a lot of times is an indicator...a bad one.

Has anyone has any dealings at all with this outfit? I have come across that name many times since I bought my car but I am unaware of any feedback.

 

[hpgraham]

I have bought a few small pieces from Willcox (Yankee Lady) and have been satisfied. I am considering a new set of seat covers and door panels from them right now and would also like to know of other peoples experience with these items.

Hardy

 

[76okievette]

Hello, lots of good info about seat covers, I plan to make my spring project on my 1976 to replace the seat covers, foam, and the plastic backs and to replace the Dash Pad. I price all four items and the seat installation kit from lots of places,

Ecklers
Corvette Central
Corvette World
Doc Rebuild
Yankee lady (Willcox)
Yankee lady was over 200 hundred dollars cheaper than any of the others, so unless someone tells me of a quality problem with Yankee lady parts that is who I am going with. Won't happen until Apr or May but I will take pictures and let everone know how it goes. Feel free to give me any advice on seat covers and dash replacement that you want. 76Okie Vette.

 

[tonyk72]

I have noticed on the Yankee (Wilcox) site they mention a price increase on some of their items...this is new since I ordered my carpet set 2 weeks ago.

 

[r1_addict]

I just had the seats for my 73 recovered at a local shop for $600.00. The custom made the covers out of 32 gauge vinyl they look real nice. I also spent $39.00 on the Ecklers hardware kit and $90 on new seat backs. (They are kida cheap looking) But the seats look real nice!

 

[hotmtrsports]

I've recovered several C5 seats and taken both of them out at the same time. Do one at a time referring to the other. This way you can turn the seats in the exact same position for comparison. (Although after the 3rd time, I didn't have to...I finally remembered)

It's amazing how hard it is to remember how something goes back together when it's only been 15 minutes since taking it apart!!!

:eyerole

Chuck

 

[lone73]

I just got a chance to goto the yankeelady link and the prices are more in line with what I would consider reasonable. Problem is that non-standard pricing a lot of times is an indicator...a bad one.

Has anyone has any dealings at all with this outfit? I have come across that name many times since I bought my car but I am unaware of any feedback.

Yup,
They are really hit & miss when it comes to getting your order out to you. I used to buy a lot of stuff thru them but dealing with the screwups coupled with LOOOONG wait times to recieve an order got to be such a PITA I just gave up and now I stick to the big names. MAD, Ecklers, CC, Zip. I bought my seat covers and foam from the guys out in El-Paso,Texas. I forget the name of the place just now. I'll post it when I think of it if somebody doesn't beat me to it...

I didn't have much fun recovering me seats but I did it a long time ago with no help from a video or any special tools. I'd definately get the video based on others talk about it and the kit.
good luck
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[tonyk72]

Like I said in an earlier post...I just placed my first order with Wilcox about 2 weeks ago for a carpet set...I had it at my door within a week. The quality looks good so far, I would definatley buy from them again!

 

[lone73]

Al Knoch

Oh yeah, It was Al Knoch Interiors.
http://www.alknochinteriors.com/welcome.htm

Like I said in an earlier post...QUOTE]

I don't mean to knock (Knoch, haha) Wilcox. My experience was years ago and I simply responded to a request to state it. They could've changed by now, and "got their minds right" (anybody see 'Cool Hand Luke' recently). Funny you should mention carpet though. That was my first order from them too and they screwed that up as well. Sent the wrong stuff.

Your's sounds like a single experience. Remember, it takes more than one brick to build a house... and more than one transaction to build a good reputation.
.
.
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[LorinD]

I had purchase my seat covers from Corvette America (800 458- 3475) they
are located in Boalsburg , PA. I had very little problems with the seats . When
I started to do the backs I had trouble with the small clips . It does look nice
and I am pleased with my work . I made a home clip puller from an old screw
driver . The screw driver was about eight inches long with quarter inch blade ,
about 5/16 from the end I made cut a slot in the blade just enough hold the
clip . It made it easier pulling the clips though the foam , then fasten them to
the support wire . I wish you luck .