AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGG!!!!!!

Just had to let out a little primal scream! Do you know what it's like to tug and pull the seat covers as hard as you can with both hands, only to realize you don't have a free hand to grab the hog ring pliers?

This could have gone in Bench Racing or Interiors, but I figured everyone would hear me scream if I posted it here! http://personal.clt.bellsouth.net/clt/m/g/mgervin/smilies/jump.gif

Yep, Randy, been there, done that. That's one of those jobs I'm almost willing to pay someone else to do. Seat covers and headliners. Arrrgh!

Just remember, "the trying of your faith brings forth patience." http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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-Mark
TC# 717
ACES #1641
1967 Chevelle SS396/375 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1BadRat2)
1967 RailVelle (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1badrat3.jpg)(Parting out)
1964 Chevelle 283/195
1975 Corvette 396/425 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1BadRat1.jpg)
Rat Garage (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/RatGarage.jpg)

What you don't have two feet?
Take off your shoes and sox,grab the seat covers between your toes,then use your hands to work the Hog ring pliers.
Thats how us Circus people do it! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

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Rick Peters
ACES#175
1970 L-78...ON THE MOVE (http://community.webtv.net/rap3/1970ChevelleL78)

Randy,

I've heard if you slip a plastic trashbag over the foam, the covers go on better. The trick is getting the plastic out after you've got the covers on.

Having mine done at a shop to avoid the screams!

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71 Ragtop, finally painted! now starting interior.
MCC #347, TC (Gold) #174
N3JHV@bellatlantic.net

Sid, is right. I used the plastic from the cleaners, it seems thinner it will tear apart as you pull it out. Also put the seat covers in the sun to warm up and use a hair dryer if necessary.

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Randy,
Been there, done that. Another good trick is to leave them in the sun on your blacktop driveway for a while. It will soften them up. If the weather isn't good for that, put them each in a pillow case and stick them in the clothes dryer on low-medium heat, then put them on. The trash bag trick on the seat frame works well in conjunction with this. I did my buckets, they came out real nice in my opinion.

Jim

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My 70 Chevelle (http://www.angelfire.com/pa4/jim/)
Best ET 12.82@108.5 (so far)
BSE Power

Use the bags from the cleaners, but leave them in! You'll never know there in there. An added benefit, especially on the bottom cushion is that it keeps the foam (or other padding) from getting worn or moved around through contact with the back of the seat cover fabric.
Rich

LOL ahhh hahhhh that's why i paid that shop by your house to do it for me. worth every DIME!!!! coulda done better work though http://www.chevelles.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

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1970 SS396 AKA 454/4spd
My Chev-Hell Page (http://hometown.aol.com/jnkb2cool/home.html)
GOLD Member #783
Ft.Worth, Tx
(OO=ss=OO)

Here's a couple tips I used when recovering my buckets. First, put a green garbage bag over the foam just before you slide the cover on. It will slide like you known what through a goose. It's easy to reach in and pull it out, or just leave it there when your done.
Secondly, when you just have the cover snug, use long tie-raps to attach the cover to the frame. With 6-10 tie raps spaced evenly you can slowly tighten the cover into position by cinching each tie-rap a little at a time. It also helps control the final position by which tie-rap you pull and how much. Hope these help, it worked great for me.

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70 Malibu Convertible
350ci/330hp/410 ft-lbs. th350/3.08 posi

Yeah John, but I'm going to have to learn to do all of this stuff now, what with the job situation and all. The only way to learn is to jump in with both feet and hope like hell I don't tear the covers!! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Randy, When I did mine I used silicone spray to make the covers slide on easier. The trash bag trick might work better, I don't know. One thing that helped me a lot was that I made detailed sketches of where all the hog rings were on the old covers and how the covers were tucked, folded, etc in the hidden areas as I took them off. I used a heat gun to soften the new covers just before installing.

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von '69 300 Dlx SS TC #15 ACES #1575
My '69 SS (http://sites.netscape.net/von69ss/homepage)

I used all the above tricks but my advantage is that my mother does the interiors for her husbands restoration business. I just had her give me those experienced hands.