Most
front seats (bucket seats) come apart in two separate parts. Which is actually nice as it makes it that
much easier to maneuver and work around.
The easier it is to handle, the easier the job is to do. Make sure you
remove the old seat covers and replace the seat buns (padding bottom and back
of your front seats) Some manufacturers
do not make the padding for the back bench seat, So you will wind up having to keep what you
have.
On a side
note: There is an old scriptural concept re: the lack of wisdom of putting new
wine into old wineskins that can really cause havoc and the concept is true
here too. This is a lot of sweaty, hot
work so you don’t want to have to redo it or wind up having to pay someone to
do it for you, because you started out just wanting “cut costs”.
The
padding for the front two seats is usually available. Usually there is a burlap protective sheet
between the frame and the padding. That
is to protect the padding from the metal coils.
You should replace that as well.
The old burlap will most likely be rotted or smelling musty anyway… (New
wineskins, remember?) You can purchase
burlap sacks at Menards VERY inexpensively.
Two sacks should take care of your needs. I also made sure I had another person (my
husband) there to help me muscle things into place and helped with the hognose
clips as my hands
got a little tired. It will take two of
you to get actually get the vinyl on; you will only get frustrated doing this
step solo.
I also
made sure that I had the appropriate tools.
I didn’t use “makeshift” pliers to do the job of a hognose plier. The investment of your tool ($14) will save
you tons of broken clips and frustration.
Also make sure you have enough clips.
Over order so you won’t be caught with your pants down…so to speak. Again, they are extremely inexpensive. You will be wise to order 500 clips. You
could order them thru the restoration manufacturer; however you can buy them
local at any reupholstering shop….Cost?....About $5.
Here you
may want to consider going to your local dry cleaners and ask if you can
purchase their thin plastic covers that they put over your clothing to protect
it. You will need about 6 of them. Some places will just give them to you. Cover
the new seat padding with them before you attempt to put the vinyl on. They slide on quicker than a pig heading to
the mud hole! Very easy.
Secondly,
it is a lot easier if you are attempting this during the summer. (This can be done during the winter months,
but it has to be done with a blow dryer that is used to warm and soften the
vinyl to make it more pliable and that can take forever and makes your work
that much more difficult) I do know
several people who have done this during the winter, so it’s your decision, but
for me, I want to make this as effort free as possible. You lay out the vinyl covers to warm in the
hot, summer sun. After a couple of hours
you will be amazed at how soft and pliable these covers will get. They will stretch like nobody’s
business. At anytime you have a question
if you are doing something correct, that’s when you stop, re-watch the video or
take a look at the book. Better to take
the time and be sure of what you are doing than to second guess yourself, it
will be much less stressful. I wound up
doing this multiple times when doing my seats.
Once the
finished product was reinstalled back into my car, my brother, who actually
upholsters by trade, took a look at the finished interior and stated how great
everything looked. When I told him about
my efforts in upholstering the seats, and what I learned, his eyes bugged. “YOU DID THIS?”….I thought you had them sent
out and done professionally….you did a fantastic job! I am really impressed.” What a great compliment…thanks Dave. We did the two front seats on one day and the
back the next day. I was amazed at
really how easy the job was to do. No
goof ups, no torn vinyl……because we took the time to make sure we crossed our
t’s and dotted our i’s and we also have the real pleasure and pride of knowing
we did this ourselves and that we saved about $1000 to do the job
ourselves. So if you are not having the
seats “customed”, than I say this is a viable option for anyone. If we can do this….You can do this. You REALLY can.
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