re-covering your own seats question

[tpodwdog]

hi gurus....im in the process of redoing the interior of (...,lets just call it the " orange car" ). if i order repro seat covers from legendary....does the foam padding ( stuffing ) come with it or is that sold separately?

Q2 ....... i have never reupholstered anything and is this something that an extremely mechanically inclined person do themselves ??

 

[trimmer]

hi gurus....im in the process of redoing the interior of (...,lets just call it the " orange car" ). if i order repro seat covers from legendary....does the foam padding ( stuffing ) come with it or is that sold separately?

Q2 ....... i have never reupholstered anything and is this something that an extremely mechanically inclined person do themselves ??

No Sir only the covers and the actual sew foam (the 1/4 or 1/2 inch backed foam that is sewn to the fabric) is included. The actual seat foam or buns (depending on your location as their proper name) are extra cost items. You will also need new burlap (the part almost everyone refuses to replace) and hog rings and most probably some kind of extra padding (I use cotton or daycron fiber fill).

As for you being able to do it yourself I say the first one is the hardest and they get easier as you do more. Just do not skimp on the burlap as that is basis for a professional looking job.

Hope this helps you, sorry for the spelling. Good Luck !

 

[dave5237]

Hello. The stuffing is extra. I too bought from Legendary and did them myself ( never had any upholstery exp. ). They came out as good as any expert. It does take time and they have tools to do it faster. It is a 2 person job if your doing bench seats. I did mine in the summer and put them in the sun to soften the covers up. Also it comes with full instructions. You can do this ,but it does take patience. Legendary did have the pattern wrong in my 1 picture and had to make it right which they did me right.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Buy a GOOD pair of hog ring pliers. Don't cheap out.

 

[trimmer]

Hello. The stuffing is extra. I too bought from Legendary and did them myself ( never had any upholstery exp. ). They came out as good as any expert. It does take time and they have tools to do it faster. It is a 2 person job if your doing bench seats. I did mine in the summer and put them in the sun to soften the covers up. Also it comes with full instructions. You can do this ,but it does take patience. Legendary did have the pattern wrong in my 1 picture and had to make it right which they did me right.

Sorry Dave, but your seats indicate you need extra padding here and there. When I was in business those seats would have never left my shop with all those wrinkles. Did you do anything to the burlap? Please understand I am not knocking your work but you did compare it to the pros. If you would like me to explain what I see wrong besides what I have mentioned here pm me and I will clarify for you. Again please do not be offended I am only trying to help.

 

[43tutor]

I just finished with my interior several weeks ago. My covers came from Legendary. I'm very pleased. The covers are an perfect match to the original color and grain structure. Some very good advice from the guys on this thread. Patience is key. Take your time.

Take photos of your old covers for reference of how the fabric is attached to the seat frames. This will come in handy as you are installing the new covers. Measure and center the covers on the seat frame before fastening with a good set of hog ring pliers. Check your measurements twice. I learned the hard way after having to remove my rear seat cover and start again. I also used some strips of wood and twine to compress the seat springs along with a few Irwin quick clamps while installing the back seat covers. Compressing the springs makes the job much easier. I was able to easily install the covers by myself. As mentioned earlier in the thread, placing the covers in the sun makes them much easier to install.

This was my first interior job.

 

[tpodwdog]

wow you guys...those interiors look great...thanx a million ! i might just tackle this job myself !

 

[sublimegtx]

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=207199 here's an a body link. Also read in another post that someone stated zip ties work as good and are easier than hog rings. If I can find it I'll post a link. I'm goin to tackle this project myself when I can afford new covers and foam. here's another http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=210912

 

[Meep-Meep]

Foam is sold separately.

You can cover the seats yourself if you follow a few basic tips:

The foam is almost guaranteed to not fit the covers properly so you will have to build up some areas. To check the fit stretch the cover over the seat as if you are going to hog ring it on and see where the cover doesn't fit, then add pieces of foam accordingly. I believe this is an important step and will make all the difference in the appearance.

Do not over stretch the cover material to make it fit.

Legendary has a nice instruction sheet on basic alignment but doesn't mention building up the foam for proper fit. I have seen plenty of seat covers installed that have wrinkles and loose fitting areas and almost all those can be fixed by building up the foam in those areas. Did I mention that the foam may NOT FIT the covers properly? Details, details, details.

 

[mopwrd340]

Has anyone tried mcmahon mopars also called online upolsthery and more. im going to have the middle of the seats done in cloth since my car is nowhere original and dont want viynl it gets too hot in the summer around here,

 

[6pakdave]

Great advice on the compressing of the springs. I just did a 2nd Gen Camaro seat kit. 1st timer also, but a 2nd pair of hands helped .It was a good chance to get the wife involved!. I bought a cheap hog-ring kit and it worked OK for me [$20] , but I used more than the rings supplied, so make sure you have enough!.I also used the old foam in the rear seats and they were fine, but replaced the fronts. I found a link on Youtube and PUI had a vid on multiple installs incl a 2nd Gen and was worth some tips .. Go for it!....Loving the Black n Blue combo 43tudor!

later Dave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=molapa-OOuE&feature=channel&list=UL

Lots of hogringin'...notice he has the 'angle' hogring pliers? I used the straight and they seemed fine but I can see the angle type would make it a little easier to see where the ring fits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIBzbzAs_QY&feature=channel&list=UL

 

[fatecaptured]

Also if you go to the Legendary webpage, they have a video on recovering seats. They mention putting extra burlap around the frame edges to cure the problem of split or worn out seams.

 

[tpodwdog]

6PAKDAVE..... great videos

you guys have been a big help ...thank you!

 

[fatecaptured]

sorry for hijacking

 

[dave5237]

They may be a little crushed on the buckets. I did not change the foam in mine do to $$$. But the wrinkles in the back seat are from the seams sewn in from legendary. The company is not perfect and they wont be sewn perfect ( the seams were off 1 and a half inches when I got them from them, but they made it right ). I am not offended. but when you have thirty five thousand in a car you got to know where to put it. And you can not see any wrinkles when the door is closed and my fat a$$ is sitting on them LOL. This picture is from Legendary. Would you send someone this ( look how far the seams are off ). You have to work with what they give you. Keep in mind covers are not perfect. I am not offended cause I saved about 900 dollars between new foam and having them install them. Legendary did do the back seat when they saw they where sewn wrong ( still have wrinkles. I think different covers are better than others from them. One thing you probably dont know is these seat covers alone cost $1100 ( ouch ). Hope this kinda explains some things. Thanks.

 

[trimmer]

Hey Dave if you take your wife's hair dryer and apply heat to those wrinkles most will disappear. DO NOT use a heat gun as it will melt or burn the fabric or vinyl.

We use a steamer to inject steam into the foam that most usually blows them back up to their original size and shape prior installing the covers. Even after the covers have been installed they can still be steamed.

My steamer was around $1500.00 when I got it years ago still works great. I would gladly steam your seats for you at no cost to you if you are ever in my area.

There is most probably a trim shop in your area that can steam them for you. You will be amazed at the difference. The blue seats could use a steam job as well.

I think most folks could have used their original foam buns if they knew steam helps although some foam repair is usually in order on the driver seat.

 

[cr8crshr]

Hey Dawg...How is the re-covering going????

Just wanted to weigh in on this for ya Dawg...I have done quite a few of these kits and it really is a no brainer. As mentioned a real good Hog Ring set of Pliers is a must. The hog rings you can get from any upholstery shop. I got my kit from Eastwood for a really good price. I also tried to re-use as many of the old Hog Rings as I could by straightening usable ones back out which saved a few $$$$'s. Any re-cycle is a good thing. Just go slow and try and have an extra set of hands to help out. It does make a difference. If you need anything from me don't hesitate to rattle my cage.....:headbang:

 

[tpodwdog]

dayyum,,,, they look great. i havent yet bought the covers. im working on the headliner coz i gotta get that in 1st before i really do anything else. i have a few bass guitars on ebay im selling to fund the interior......so i gotta wait for that to happen. i have had alot of you tell me its easy , so im gonna run with that and do it myself. i gotta get hog ring pliers, and i can get those and the hog rings on ebay,,,,where i get pretty much everything else for my cars!

that looks like a 66 or 67 satellite.... nice job. ill keep yinz posted.......... thanx

 

[cr8crshr]

Thanks...1966 Plymouth Satellite it is. Headliner!!!! I have to get that done eventually on mine but wiil have a professional do that. Just way above my pay grade....

 

[69a100]

I also tried to re-use as many of the old Hog Rings as I could bystraightening usable ones back out which saved a few $$$$'s. Any re-cycle is a good thing. :headbang:

Heck ya, and why not? After all, they are the original parts that came with the car, are they not? At least the pureist's should give you a couple attaboys for it even though the rings aren't seen. JMHO