'86 Camaro BoSs

Ok, so i painted my car, got wheels.. the inside of my car's in great shape accept for my cracked dash pad and my driver seat.. the interior's faded over the past 15 years... i have the "deluxe" interior option on my car.. i really am not a fan of the color scheme.. so i wanted to keep it stock.. but go with a black vinyl or leather.. so i went to a few local upholstery shops and they all quoted me around $1400 and $1650.. and all of them said the same thing about the kits that classic industries "our matterial is thicker and stronger then that set, that's why we charge so much more"

So my questions are has anyone bought a vinyl kit from classic industries... and if so how was it?... and was the upholstry shop telling the truth about the material or where they just trying to make another sale..

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

I had two LS Conteur seats recovered in material (from a 90's Camaro, IIRC) a year or so ago at the cost of $600, so I'd say your people are in the ballpark. Personally, I'd avoid vinyl.

JamesC

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

Is that quote of $1400 for leather or vinyl? I've been looking at about every option for my seats, either replacing them, recovering them, buying new pads and upholstery, etc. If that's leather I'd say thats about right. If that's vinyl, I'd be looking elsewhere. Just my 2 cents.

'86 Camaro BoSs

All quotes were for vinyl.. for some reason when i asked for both all shops (3) pulled out vinyl and none had any leather.. i just want to keep it as close to stock as i possible can..

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

Seat Upholstery kits can be had for 300-450 from hawks (http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com) and if you need to buy new foam, I've seen a few places online that you can replace it for about $100 per seat.

If it were me, I'd go that route, and even if I needed to replace all the foam, I'm still in at under $1,000

If your in the ballpark to spend more than that, I'd talk to someone who deals in katskin leathers and see what they can do. I paid $2,000 when I bought my daily driver (2004 Mitsubishi) and they installed 2 toned heated leather seats, as well as inserts to the door panels to match.

Maybe its just me, but I shudder at the concept of paying $1,400+ for vinyl

'86 Camaro BoSs

Only the driver seat needs new foam the rest are in good shape just faded a bit.. and for some reason i spaced looking at hawks.. but paying that price and waiting 4-6 weeks vs. getting it cheaper and doing it yourself sounds alot better.. and i'm on the katzkin site right now and i don't see anything for my camaro?.

-------

i just looked at hawks and their almost $100 more expencive then classic industries..

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

Unfortunatly I'm not too familiar with dealing with katzkin myself. I demanded the interior be upgraded on my 2004 Mitsu when I bought it new, because it resembled black and red porch carpeting. They worked with some company for me to get the interior done. I just know the stuff is amazing.

I'd probably go Hawks if I were you, and if you go vinyl, and find somewhere to get seat foam for the driver's seat, you might be in under $500 when its all said and done.

'86 Camaro BoSs

Just curious why do you say go with hawks?

and everyone i talk to really downs vinyl is it really that horrible? should i just go cloth?

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

Hawks just seems like the general answer to all parts that can't be found on the forum here. Feel free to use somewhere else. I think its sort of like saying "go to wal-mart and get milk."

I've never owned a car with vinyl, and I never want to (my parents had several when I was growing up though). It has all the disadvantages of leather (rips, hot in the summer, sensitive to moisture, etc) without being as tough, as comfortable or as nice. Usually vinyl is alot thinner than leather too, and rips will run really easy. Older vinyl can also crack just like the plastic on your dash, whereas leather is much less likely to. I'd say go cloth or leather, and forget vinyl unless you are determined to keep it absolutely true to its exact stock specs.

adamhon

I don't know if you have seen www.mrmikes.com or not, but if I was going to spend $1400 on some seat covers I would go there. His seat covers are awesome, I would love a set in my '89 IROC.

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

I ran across that the other day. Way out of my price range, but if you have the money, high quality leather always makes an interior look amazing.

gatorcola

My 88's original interior was in outstanding shape except for the driver's seat. I went to the best shop in town and they custom made me a "real" leather seat that is an incredible match to my originals. My interior also was the deluxe package and I like it a lot so it was a no brainer for me.

I'm curios about yours.

creepingdeath

Try to find a private person to do it, there is alot of old retired guys doing upholstery in their garages for cheap. Or just take it to a seamstress with fabric that you picked out, they will cut and sew new seat covers exactly the same as the factory ones for alot cheaper. Personally I would get the hawks kit and install them myself, I think that would be the best bang for the buck for re-upholstering your seats.

'86 Camaro BoSs

Ok.. so does anyone have any pics of the cloth seats that came stock in black? mine are a dark-ish blue, but idk if that's because they faded or if it's the way they were ment to be.. because it does have a black strip of vinyl (or somthing like that) on the seats and also on the door panels..

creepingdeath

I have a black cloth interior, alot of it is fading and turning dark blue but its in good shape. I think im just going to paint it with the cloth/vinyl paint. I have a buddy who has the same interior I do and he painted everything with this stuff I can't recall what he used but everything looks new again, It was slighty "crusty" afterwards though.

micktroup

I see people say 'there are places that sell seat foam' but WHERE? If you know of a company that sells replacement seat foam for 4th gen seats, please tell us- buy 4th gen cloth seats from the junkyard; put new foam on them; add leather seat covers AND BRAND NEW, CUSTOM SEATS!

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

I see your point here. A quick google search reveals a half dozen sites that do first and second gen seat foam, but I'm struggling to find anyone that does 3rd or 4th gen foam. Its gotta be there if you search enough, I just can't find it.

mpb74

i'm about to start on my interior after i buy new heads. i was wondering do any of you have stock contuer seats that has
camaro
camaro
camaro
they are red and very ugly. the drivers seat has a prop that pulls up at the front of the seat that will raise your legs.

do any of you guys have any of these in your car? or have you seen any?

i was thinking they were rare but i'm not sure. i hate to cover them and find out in 5 more years that they are rare!

'86 Camaro BoSs

I've seen those once on an IROC idk how rare they are or anything.. i'd personally keep it even tho it's ugly just to keep it original.. i'm going to go outside and snap some pics of my interior so you guy's can get a better idea of the scheme of my seats

mpb74

i want to keep them but the drivers seat is a little rough. i'm keeping everything on my car stock except for the drive train.

I LOVE SLEEPERS!

UNCLE TOM

iTrader: (1)

i had planned on trying to install a hawks kit myself . i bought a rough parts car , took one seat out , checked what needed to be done to re-cover . i then changed my mind , i'm going to have a shop do mine . good luck wichever way you go .

gatorcola

The 1986 Camaros were Base Coupe, Berlinetta, Z28 & IROC-Z. The seat options for the coupe were Vinyl Bucket, Cloth Bucket, Custom Cloth Bucket, Custom Sport Cloth L/S Conteur Bucket. All came in either Black, Copper, Gray, Red or Saddle; except the L/S bucket which did not come in copper or gray.

My 88 has one small "CAMARO" stitched on the lower left of the driver's seat back.

evoluzione1

I boaght the classic industry ones and I put the drivers seat cover on and now I am looking into finding some where else to get the factroy seat redone.

Two problems:
1. They fit horrable compared to the stock look and if you have the sparate head rest like mine that is the worst part of the whole thing looks wise, it fit very poorly.
2. I have a 92 camaro with the tan/brownish color interior and from what I gather GM changed the color from past years and no one makes that color interior for my car and I mean way off from stock.

I am now looking to just have someone drivers seat redone since the rest is perfect inside the car.

'86 Camaro BoSs

Wooow, this just sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen.. i'm going to start calling outta town and check their prices..

btw i can't find the cord to my camera so pics will have to wait..

----------

Ok, so i finally found a place where they seem to be honest.. and the guy said that the stuff from classic industry will work good and he's done a few camaros (2nd gen tho) and he will refoam my 2 front seats and install them for $400 if i buy the stuff.. so the kit from classic industry is $279.99.. plus the $400 comes out to be alot less then the $1200 to $1600

'86 Camaro BoSs

Ok, so i have yet another question.. i found the reproduction vinyl kit and the different cloth kits.. i can't find the cord to my camera and i want to know if i were to go cloth would i get Encore/Regal Velour or Encore/Madrid Velour

incase i failed to mention it's a '92 RS the seats look like this
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000136b

but idk what the difference between the regal and the madrid as they only have pics of that one set

coolcamaroZ28

Not sure why vinyl is getting bad reviews. People comment on how nice my 'leather' interior all the time! Sometimes I even let them know that it's really madrid grain vinyl (got it from ABC upholstery for around $400, but they are out of biz now). Not too hard to do it yourself, just need some hogring pliers and some patience. Way less expensive than leather and no problems with durability that I can speak of plus they look great IMO...

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

http://www.ezsofttops.com/c-155-pontiac-firebird.aspx Might want to consider these guys. I got a quote for leather front and rear for $825. They sent to me swatches and I choose the right shade. I think I may go with them. Anyone know anything about them?

NobleHdwe

CoolCamaroZ28: Those look great, the whole interior does. I also like your cup holder in the console. Good Job!!

ACCLR8N

iTrader: (8)

I have the MrMikes leather kit on my seats. Gotta throw out another recommendation for him. No compromises.

'86 Camaro BoSs

thoseo seats look great, i talked to a guy who has had vinyl in a few of his cars, like me he traveled alot, and his only complaint on the vinyl was it didn't breathe, and he said that his back and.. yea sweat alot and without ac it grows to be a hassle.. i'm going to check out those sites and see whatelse i can find, but i think i might just stick to having classic industries kit installed by a professinal

88TransAmFreak

iTrader: (15)

I've been toying with the idea of re-covering my 85 bird seats myself....heck I have already done my own paint, mechanics and electrical on my Corvette. May as well dive into the upholstery side of it. I don't think it's as hard as it's made out to be if you have a decent sewing machine.

You can get good "factory like" material here:

www.yourautotrim.com

Lets face it, these cars aren't worth a heck of a whole lot....and I can't justify spending $600 - 800 letting a shop recover the seats on a $2500 car.

84ls1_transam

I used 4th gen seats. I got them on ebay for $600 shipped, front and rear, black leather. They look and fit like factory. That was my cheapest and best way out. Just my opinion.

Al Hasse

When the time came to redo the seats in my 92, I had a privately owned shop here in town do the work. Because OEM material was so much more expensive, we went with something else and matched the best we could to the color of the car. I ended up with new front and rear seat covers, rebuilt seat cushions, new 4" straps between the seat springs and foam, new material on the headliner, sail panels, visors and door panels for about $1650 IIRC, its been 4 or 5 years.



Even had some custom embroidery done to the headrests

'86 Camaro BoSs

you know al, i've looked at your car alot, and i never remembered it was you that had the headrests like that. i wished a shop closer to me did that kind of work for that cheap.. what kind of material is that?

Al Hasse

I really don't know (or remember) what material we ended up using, just something out of his book of samples that complimented the color of the car as much as possible. The gray material almost has a velour feel to it, or that's the best I can describe it.

LoganTA

let me explain why seat covers bought might not fit your car properly.
They make the covers from the factory specs and most companies do a great job,only thing wrong with that is after all of these years and your *** sitting in it,the seats have different contours etc.And the foam isn't as "perky" as it was 15-20 yars ago.
Getting it done at a local shop gives the "feel of how to make the seats fit correctly and alos if they are worth anything,if the seats need some small pieces of foam to make it sit right again,they will add it at no charge.I am not talking big chunks of foam missing but small pieces to help contour the seat back to its original form.
and for the fellow above that said take it to a seamstres,this kind of info is not needed.A seamstress does not have the proper sewing machines to stitch together automotive material.And unless she has the books to order automotive grade material,your seats will end up looking like your couch and wear out under the stress and heat very quickly.
These are the back seats in my 87 Chrysler Conquest from a few years back.I did these in a very soft vinyl that feels like leather.

86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

I just redid my seats in black leather. $800. I took an extra "Passenger" seat to my upholstery guy and he used that foam to build up my wear areas in the drivers seat. That way we had the proper shapes of the foam and it was a lot cheaper as in free. I recommend going the local shop route. That way you can have contact with the guy doing the work and make adjustments as you go. Other wise you are going cookie cutter and that might or might not work.

When we took my OEM third gen leather seats apart he showed me how some of the panels were vinyl and some were real leather. so GM only sold partial leather but my original invoice says "leather" as if the entire seat was leather.

Please excuse my dirty lens on these first pics. Slight rain that day. I will be taking new ones today at the Lake Michigan beach.

'86 Camaro BoSs

Dang now that looks clean too lol, yea i think i'm going to have to stick with cloth tho... as i think i've already stated, no A/c and i live where it gets to be 100+ degree's on your average summer day.. no clue about setting up A/C in a non A/C car, but i'm sure it's going to be alot more money..

86blackiroc

iTrader: (12)

Let's put it this way, I will be spending about 1K having that interior put into my car

And why does everybody keep saying it's ugly... sheesh

British Rich

the bit about some beingleater and some vinl on "leather seats" is perfectly normal for factory leather.

MODERN vinyl actually ages better than real leather (being that 99% of people don't maintain their leather seats and vinyl doesn't require the effort) . The piece you sit on is usually vinyl as well as the head rest on most cars with stock leather seats. Even BMW and Mercedes etc do that.

If you get good vinyl it is actually hard to tell the difference from real leather unless you know to look for the folded double stitching (usually the give-away clue LOL)
Although I'd bet custom shops stitch vinyl the same way as the leather to make it look as muh like leather as possible.

I have had vinyl, leather and currently cloth.
My preference is cloth but that is because I live in hot-a$$ Florida.

If I was choosing for myself the extra cost of leather is not worth it at all if you can get GOOD vinyl for signifcantly less.