[69ChevelleGuy]

How hard is it to recover the front and rear bench seats? I was thinking about doing it myself but didn't really know how hard it is to get everything tight and looking good. Does anyone know where I can get some information on recovering a seat at?
Thanks!

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Steve

1969 Chevelle SS 396 435HP
1970 Corvette 454 Ls5 M-21 #'s Matching

 

[JWagner]

I have done a set of bench seats and it was pretty easy. I figured that the results would look like me: wrinkly and old. But it came out well. Save everything from the old seats (like the wire that goes on the perimeter of the upholstery) until the new stuff is in place. Warm up the new upholstery to make it flexible and put it in place. Start pulling it in the middle and work to the ends. The old upholstery will tell you where to put the hog rings and where to fold the material before installing the rings. Get a set of the hog ring pliers, too. Check the "search" function on this site and get more info. This topic has been discussed some before. And for an easier job of re-installing, leave the seat backs off the seat until you have the seat in the car; this allows you to carry 3 light pieces rather than on heavy seat.

 

[fastss396man]

Steve,

Buckets are a little more tricky than bench seats. I did my own rear bench with great results as JWagner states. However I opted to have a friend at a local shop slip the covers on my buckets. All looks great!

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FastSS396Man
Brian

Fastss396, Fastss396,Fastss396,
Fastss396,Fastss396,Fastss396,Fastss396,Fastss396,Fastss396,Fastss396
69' SS396 Chevelle
L78 396/375hp
M-21 Close Ratio
Cortez Silver
10 year Resto
It's brand new again!
02' Harley FatBoy, Diamond Ice Pearl and lots of chrome!
ACES# 3466

 

[hoffbug]

I just redid my bench seats this summer.. Its not too bad . I think Jwagner has it covered pretty well. One other hint that might help would be to mark the metal next to the hog rings with a marker before you cut them off.Then you can see how many there were and where they were anchored.

 

[von]

Make detailed sketches of where the seams and hog rings are on the bottom. Warm the covers up (I put them in a closet with an electric heater for about 20 minutes). Use silicone spray on the foam or, better yet, use trash bags over the foam to allow the covers to slip on easier (there's a lot of foam compaction and cover stretching going on) to the point where the hog rings can be attached. You can pull the trash bags out after the covers are in place.

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von '69 300 Dlx SS TC #15 ACES #1575 HSCA #5
My '69 SS

 

[cjlandry]

I did my first cover job on a '66 Mustang when I was 14. I've done several since. It's really no big deal. Just pay attention and follow the advice already given.

The only thing I have to add is (are you listening?) Do Not Use the Cheap Hog Ring Pliers From The Resto Supply House! I cannot emphasize this enough.

You can buy good hog-ring pliers at the farm supply or a good local hardware store for the same price that you'll pay for the cheapies at the resto supplier. You can also get about a gazillion hog rings really cheap too.

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My Web Page (updated 10-14-02)

"Long Live Freedom!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino

[This message has been edited by cjlandry (edited 10-20-2002).]

 

[thr062]

All good advise. One thing Ill add is to make sure you pad all the places that the seat covers streach around bare metal, like around the bottom of the seat. It makes for that litle extra added touch.

Will

 

[RAGTP66]

The rear seat is a breeze.Pick up some new welting as a lot of seat covers don't come with it and the old stuff is soooo beat up. For a REALLY nice job once u strip off the old covers take the bases and get em sand blasted or soda stripped. Detail those now. If you are a tall guy I would recommend shaving a little bit of foam from the new seat bun material. I didn't and I'm about 6'2 and now my head rubs on the convt top when its up. The new foam adds a VERY big difference. The front buckets are a lot more work than the back figure spending easily about 4-6 hours per seat the entire back on the other hand took about and hour and a half.I used plastic zip ties to compress the springs until I got the cover over the springs and new buns then cut the zip ties work the wrinkles out then hog ring last. Like the others said buy a GOOD pair of pliers not from the resto guys and my local upholstery suplly house sold hog rings by the pound for $1.50 a pound. Much better than what they sell em for thru the parts house.When you get frustrated walk away and come back later for some reason then it seems to go on like a glove.

GOOD LUCK
Chris

 

[Frank G]

I had a shop do my bench seats. I supplied the seats and the covers. They added padding where necessary and they came out real nice. The cost in my area was around $75 a seat.

[This message has been edited by Frank G (edited 10-23-2002).]