[RAMBO]

Ok- it looks like shops want more than I'm willing to spend to install my covers for me- so I've decided to do it myself. Can anyone point me to a website, or a book I can buy that will tell me what I need to do...

Can any of you folks who have done this give me some tips? where on the covers should i start? How do I replace the burlap? How do i locate the holes in the frame & punch them without ripping the covers (for seatback bumpers, head rest stuff, etc)

Any help would be appreciated... Thnx!




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Ben Rambow
1969 El Camino Custom
1968 Olds Delmont 88 Convertable
"Reliable is boring- My life is exciting!"

 

[mr 4 speed]

I've recovered several pair of bucket seats and backseats.Just kinda jumped into it,never tried it before.Last pair I did,I tried small black tie wraps per a fellow TCers suggestion instead of the hog rings..worked mint.All the seats I've recovered always had good foam and springs,and I've never replaced any burlap before,so I can't help you there.I also learned to toss the covers in the dryer on low heat for about 10 minutes to make them esay to work with,and also to remove any wrinkles.Just pay close attention to where the hog rings came off,and you'll be OK.It helps to have the other seat next to you with all the plastic trim off so you can look at the other seat for a reference.I always start on the bottom cushion first.I use a small sharp punch to make my holes.As far as the holes go for the screw,you can leaves the screws in pace on the medal frame,and after the cover is installed,just use a sharp razor and make a small slit and remove the screw.JUst take your time,they're not as hard as you think.For final deatils,you can redye your side/seat backs,and buy a roll of the chrome door edge guard(Pep Boys,Autozone,tec.) for the seat trim.

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1970 Chevelle SS396/M20/4.10 My 70 SS396
Engine pic
1970 Chevelle SS454My 70 SS454
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible
1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass 350 Olds,TH350(daily driver)
Chris Corwel,TC Member 785

 

[von]

mr 4 speed's advice is right on. One of the best things you can do is make detailed sketches and notes before and during the removal of the old covers. Also, the covers go on much easier if you put a trash bag over the foam or cotton first. Even easier if you spray some silicone on the trash bag and inside of the covers. I put the covers in a closet with a small electric heater to soften them up.

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

 

[red2rider]

I did mine last year and it wasn't all that difficult.
1. you first need to dissassamble the tops from the bottoms.
2. cut the old rings out and remove the old coverings.
3. Don't buy the cheap hog ring pliers.
4. Put plastic bags over the backs to aid i assy.
5. Criss cross hog ringing while you pull the material taught. Don't over stretch it or it can rip.
6. when your done with the tops you can reach in and rip the plastic bags out or leave them in. You can;t hear the plastic under their and it might aid in corrosion resistance ???
7. install the bottom material hog the front first and stretch while pulling towards the back while hogging from side to siede to keep it even.
8. Heating the vinyl will take wrinkles out and help stretch but you must be careful when pulling.
9. Do the back seats first as this is the easiest way to figure it all out.

TIP.. After taking the seats apart put the screws back in that hold the backs on and the side covers on . Then after the covers are on it will make it 10 times easier finding those darn little holes as the screws will be able to tell where they are.
Make a slight incision right over the screw and then you can remove the screw and know right where that hole is..

This is just a quick reply, but if you do the backs first you will get the idea of what's going on. Just pull it tight but don't rip it, and then hog ring it.

You can see my pics of my seats at www.angelfire.com/ky2/mycars

 

[Noneck]

I'd like to add one piece of advice to the good answers above. When you remove your old covers, don't forget to take the small metal rods from the sleeves and install them into your new covers. (They are in the burlap sewn areas. You'll see what I mean when you disassemble your old seats. If they are rusty broken or missing, you can just cut pieces from a wire shirt hanger. I never used the trash bag, but I did spray the seat foam with silicone spray. And I set my covers on my tonneau cover in the sun for a while to warm them up.

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72 SS coupe clone & 69 ragtop. www.NoNecksChevelle.com