seats quandry

[stingray01]

The seats in my 76 are a bit tired with the leather having the discoloured streaks across the bolsters and seats. I had new foam put in the seats about 20 years ago and they are still good. Is there a top quality long lasting dye that you gents have used that can be recommended or is this a job for a specialist.

Many thanks,

Jamie.

 

[6880 Mike]

SEM automotive interior dye available through automotive paint suppliers. It's good stuff; shoots like lacquer.

 

[JohnZ]

Seat cushions and bolsters aren't a great application for dye; the constant flexing and abrasion gives the dye a short life, and then it looks terrible.

 

[KANE]

Seat cushions and bolsters aren't a great application for dye; the constant flexing and abrasion gives the dye a short life, and then it looks terrible.

I'd have to agree with John here.

I'd also say if you recovered the seats 20 years ago... it may be time to do it again.

 

[stingray01]

The seats are factory original and in my 29 years ownership I have never put seat covers on. The seats have'nt had a great deal of use but I had new foam fitted on the seats as they were getting a bit 'flat' I was thinking of seat covers but the English version of seat covers spring to mind where they slip over the seat and back then tied under the seat and at the back, not at all nice. What are the American seat covers like, where can you get them, approx. cost. and are they fitted easily?

Thanx J.

 

[tim414]

The seats are factory original and in my 29 years ownership I have never put seat covers on. The seats have'nt had a great deal of use but I had new foam fitted on the seats as they were getting a bit 'flat' I was thinking of seat covers but the English version of seat covers spring to mind where they slip over the seat and back then tied under the seat and at the back, not at all nice. What are the American seat covers like, where can you get them, approx. cost. and are they fitted easily?

Thanx J.

Look at the different websites and you can find all kinds of seat covers from sheepskin to nylon and/or linen, to original style replacements. You can get them as pairs or even some times individually. You can also get complete interior 'kits' to replace the factory original in factory original colors or any color for that matter. The prices are reasonable. Especially if paying with Euro, you'll definitey get more value if buying direct from U.S. because of currency (rate). Use your favorite web browser and do a search perhaps corvette parts/interior etc.....

 

[6880 Mike]

Seat cushions and bolsters aren't a great application for dye; the constant flexing and abrasion gives the dye a short life, and then it looks terrible...

I used the SEM on my '68 upholstery nearly 15 years ago. No fading, no peeling, and still looks good.

Preparation is the key for dye. All surfaces have to be squeaky clean.

 

[stingray01]

for the year 76 did they fit leather or plastic seats in the cars. In places they have quite a 'sheen'. I may, for what it's worth try the SEM products to see how they turn out. What I wanted to avoid is the end result after using SEM not looking like false leather or plastic (like a paint on sheen) I can always fit seat covers if that does'nt look right.

 

[Koop]

IF you have black leather you can do this:

Go to a good shoe repair store, buy black shoe dye in a spray can, buy Lexol hide food. Put about a table spoon of the Lexol on a white rag in a puddle in the palm of your hand, then spray (soak) the puddle of Lexol with the spray on shoe dye. Rub it in the leather. It will look like well loved 30+ year old leather with a nice patina. If leather is really tired then make sure to let it dry well or wet cracks will turn to wet tears. I've done this to all sorts of interiors, from Cadillacs to Rolls Royce. You will not come up with excessive sheen, if anything it knocks down the sheen from 29 years of wear, it's a little bit of a flat finish.

Do not do this on vinyl.

JohnZ is right (as usual) That spray on automotive interior stuff will look like you had it done at a used car lot, it rarely works out well on leather.

 

[stingray01]

unfortunately the seats are white. How can I find out if they are leather or plastic?

j.

 

[White75]

unfortunately the seats are white. How can I find out if they are leather or plastic?

j.

With white seats, you may be better off going to a leather restorer. check your local upholstery shops or car dealerships for recommendations.
If they know what they're doing they can make them look brand new. If all else fails, order a new set of covers and get them mounted. I was really happy with the ones I got from willcox/corvette america.
As far as telling whether you have leather or plastic, post up a picture and that might help to people that know their seat covers. It's hard to tell without looking at the back or the edge of a seam and look for the telltale fabric background of vinyl or the suede of leather. Also if the grain of the leather looks too perfect, more than likely its vinyl.

 

[6880 Mike]

...unfortunately the seats are white. How can I find out if they are leather or plastic?...

Code on the trim tag will tell you whether the original upholstery was leather or vinyl. 112 for leather; 15V for vinyl. Upholstery pattern will also tell you; pleats run across the seats for leather.

Optional 76 white leather:

I believe the optional white interior package for the '76s was leather regardless of the second color.

 

[tim414]

Code on the trim tag will tell you whether the original upholstery was leather or vinyl. 112 for leather; 15V for vinyl. Upholstery pattern will also tell you; pleats run across the seats for leather.

Optional 76 white leather:

I believe the optional white interior package for the '76s was leather regardless of the second color.

I think your right....never have seen white man-made material on that year Vette...I have black book...will check it and get back...
Just checked black book. YES, they did make white vinyl seats. It says that on late year models that allot of '77 parts are used, especially interior....it also describes 'custom' interior. You can tell (if you have original interior that is) if your Vette has wood grain accents and carpet on lower part of door then you DO have leather seats. All leather seats would be part of custom trim pkg. So, if you have carpet trim on lower (inside) door panel and wood grain trim then you do have leather seats. It looks like thats true with allot of C3's. (1970-76) It looks like 68-69 you could get just leather seats, then 70-76 custom interior, then begining in 77 leather seats were considered to be standard, but could get combo cloth/leather at no additional cost (optional but no cost according to Black Book). Hope that helps....tim

 

[stingray01]

The pleats run across the seats Orange 09 just as in the picture of your seats. There is no stitching thats frayed or loose so I think as has been suggested to get a local upholsterer to sort them out for me. There are white door panels which are plastic and they have split slightly at the top and bottom and on the arm rest/ door pull. Any way that these can be sorted out without replacing. My car has the brown loop pile (quite thick carpet) and brown trim. What do you guys use to revive the trim, it has faded slightly in 2 places. Was thinking of putting a white/beige carpet replacement in (brown is a bit drab) but then again if I do that it won't be original. Like to know what you guys think.

Jamie

 

[tim414]

I think your right....never have seen white man-made material on that year Vette...I have black book...will check it and get back...
Just checked black book. YES, they did make white vinyl seats. It says that on late year models that allot of '77 parts are used, especially interior....it also describes 'custom' interior. You can tell (if you have original interior that is) if your Vette has wood grain accents and carpet on lower part of door then you DO have leather seats. All leather seats would be part of custom trim pkg. So, if you have carpet trim on lower (inside) door panel and wood grain trim then you do have leather seats. It looks like thats true with allot of C3's. (1970-76) It looks like 68-69 you could get just leather seats, then 70-76 custom interior, then begining in 77 leather seats were considered to be standard, but could get combo cloth/leather at no additional cost (optional but no cost according to Black Book). Hope that helps....tim

The above picture with red interior and white seats is perfect example of custom interior (1970-76). The seats (according to Corvette Back Book) with this interior package are leather. Base trim was 'no' wood grain accents/carpet trim on inside door panel and vinyl interior. hope that helped....I learned something today...

 

[tim414]

The pleats run across the seats Orange 09 just as in the picture of your seats. There is no stitching thats frayed or loose so I think as has been suggested to get a local upholsterer to sort them out for me. There are white door panels which are plastic and they have split slightly at the top and bottom and on the arm rest/ door pull. Any way that these can be sorted out without replacing. My car has the brown loop pile (quite thick carpet) and brown trim. What do you guys use to revive the trim, it has faded slightly in 2 places. Was thinking of putting a white/beige carpet replacement in (brown is a bit drab) but then again if I do that it won't be original. Like to know what you guys think.

Jamie

The seat pleats running 'side to side' ARE indicative of LEATHER seats. I guess that's the point your trying to get accross my thick head...it's addressed in model year 1971 in Black Book. I knew I had read that before but didn't remember which model year it pertained to.

 

[6880 Mike]

...There is no stitching thats frayed or loose so I think as has been suggested to get a local upholsterer to sort them out for me...

You could clean them and they would probably look better. Any good quality leather cleaner would work.

...There are white door panels which are plastic and they have split slightly at the top and bottom and on the arm rest/ door pull. Any way that these can be sorted out without replacing...

No. If the vinyl skin is split or nicked, there isn't too much you can do other than replace the door panels.

You can shampoo carpets. Soap and water (Simple Green or equivalent) will clean just about everything else except leather.

...Was thinking of putting a white/beige carpet replacement in (brown is a bit drab) but then again if I do that it won't be original...Like to know what you guys think...

Keep her original.

 

[Koop]

I like that white with red! Very 1970's (ala Huggy Bear).

You can try the lexol and white spray shoe dye, but you need to really clean that leather first and get the black stuff out of the worn areas. Lexol leather cleaner is good stuff, but be gentle you wouldn't want to push through one of the weak spots. The pigment in the white dyes usually does not do a good jog at covering dark spots.

I still stick with my comments on the spray on applications, they rarely work out well. I would at least attempt the method I described in the earlier post. I've done this on many cars with good to outstanding results.

 

[White75]

To clean, I recommend a mild mix of water and Oxyclean too. I used it on my BMW M3 champagne leather and turned out really clean. Just make sure you put on a good leather protectant afterward