Seat restoration question

[NorthernThrux]

I'm in the process of recovering my seats after blasting, powdercoating and otherwise refurnishing the interiors and recliners.

I ordered the german vinyl from Auto's International for the seats and it's a perfect match. However the skirts of the seat base pieces are longer than the originals. By exactly the width of the cardboard locking strips. On the originals, the cardboard edge piece was sewn directly behind the raw edge. On the new ones, to have the same skirt length (and hence tension on the springs) I would have to fold the material over the cardboard piece.

In other words,

this



or this ?



Anybody gone through this process who can help ? It would seem like preserving the tension is the correct thing to do. But the folded material is that much harder to hook into the channel on the bottom of the seat I would think.

cheers
Ravi

[9er]

I can't offer any helpful info. However I would be keen to know more about the complete process, have you resprung or used new foam bases and or seat padding etc. Pics would be great.

[edmayo]

I'm NOT an upholster but I do believe that the material should be joined to the carboard in such a way as to allow the carboard to tuck up into a channel in the seat bottom which will then hold the material tight and in place.

[NorthernThrux]

That's correct Ed. The issue is if I staple the cardboard to the edge of the seat skirt (as the original was) the skirt will be 5/8" longer than on the original seats, or in other words, the springs and pad will be compressed 5/8" less than the original seat was. I'm not sure which approach to take and of course it's a long weekend, so there's no one to call at Auto's Intl till Tuesday.

I'll post some better pics tomorrow.

Ravi

[edmayo]

Maybe he just cuts the patterns to give you some extra for trimming?

[Bill Simmeth]

and of course it's a long weekend, so there's no one to call at Auto's Intl till Tuesday.

You might try giving them a call anyway. A lot of us non-government, non-union types are working today. Just sayin'

[NorthernThrux]

Bill and Ed win the prizes. They were open today, and the material is supplied oversize for trimming. Looks like I can do some work after all today. Now if only someone could tell me how to get rid of the seat spring squeaks.

I'm thinking filling the whole base with foam chips both for firmness and sound control. Might not be firm enough though.

Ravi

[Andy 74]

Hi Ravi
I'm about to start the same process and wondered if your seats are sport seats? If so, did you replace the webbing etc? I'm trying to find a supplier of them if you can help?
Cheers
Andrew

[robmog]

This might help.
http://site.aaaupholster.com/P/91191.../bottoins.html
http://site.aaaupholster.com/P/91191...ABackrest.html

[laneranch]

Could you post a pic when you are done and even a before and after if possible. I need to redo the seats on my 71 T car this summer as the drivers seat has become very lumpy.
al