does anybody have advice on how to R & R seat cushions and covers on front and rear benches in a 70' chevelle? i have never done this before and need some help before i dive in and replace everything on the seat. Also, i heard that if you throw a seat cover into the dryer for 10 minutes, it will be easier to slide over the new seat cushions, it this true? would appreciate any help, thanks!!!

I have heard people will lay a plastic trash bag over the foam to help slide the cover on then pull the trash bag out at the last minute. When I did mine I just sprayed the foam down with WD40 to make it a little slippery. The big thing I foung was when pulling them tight I used safety wire and safety wire pliers in some spots instead of the hog rings and that made things easier. Also don't forget to remove the several wire strands from your old seats as those need to be reused. If it is a nice day you canjust lay them in the sun to warm up and could use a hair dryer for tuff spots just be careful with the dryer.

See this thread, good discussion and ideas on the subject...

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106584

Thanks for the help everybody, but i have another question. Do the seat covers come with the hog rings and the hog ring pliers, or do i have to buy them separately. Also, i'm looking at OPGI's seat covers and cushion, has anybody used them?, are they good quality?, just curious. Once again, thanks for all of the help!!

Do the seat covers come with the hog rings and the hog ring pliers, or do i have to buy them separately. Also, i'm looking at OPGI's seat covers and cushion, has anybody used them?, are they good quality?, just curious. Once again, thanks for all of the help!!
Nope...gotta buy the rings, cutter, and pliers seperate. Most all parts vendors sell seat covers and interior manufactured by PUI.

Take LOTS of pictures with a digital camera as you disassemble the seats from the frames. It really helps during the reassembly process. You will find "listing" wires in the sleeves of the seats that are hog tied to the frame. Save them if they are not too rusty. You'll need to slide these wires back into the new seat cover sleeves when assembling and hog tying the new seat covers to the frames.

As stated, OPGI's and most are PUI. I plan on getting a kit from them when I'm ready for that stage.

Thanks for the help everybody!!!

I was fortunate to have seats in good enough condition to put my covers right over the old ones. Instead of using the existing listing wire I used heavy gauge clothes hanger wire. Just poke it through the area to be hog ringed. It was helpful to use in areas I really stretched. Heating the covers helps too. I used two small space heaters and put my covers over some milk crates to allow warm air in w/o risking fire. I had to do it in my finshed basement because it's too cold in the garage. Good luck.

my seat are in bad enough shape to warrant total replacement. also, thanks for the good wishes. good luck on your project.

[QUOTE=Great '68]I was fortunate to have seats in good enough condition to put my covers right over the old ones.


I have a 67 and the buckets that I got have nice 66 covers. You are saying just put the new ones over the old ones? Does this look ok?

Thanks,
Carl