Howdy guys,

I did a search of the forums and could not find the information I was looking for.

Does anyone have a online guide to recovering seats? I am looking into recovering my seats and having never done it before want to research what kind of mess I am getting myself into. I have found the materials (covers) that I want for about 350 dollars (serveral hundred less then new seats) so now I am to the point of being ready to do it.

I have to replace my center console so I am figuring to do it all over a long weekend. Is it possible? Any help with information would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hey, I just did this myself, and I would highly recommend doing it. I have some before and after pics here: Yahoo! Photos - jimmyj1423's Photos - interior
as you can see, it makes a big difference.
As far as installation, it is pretty much like anything else. Tear them down (making a note of how everything is) and put them back together. I would recommend doing one piece at a time.

Some tips I would have is 1) pay attention to the seat bottoms, there are some metal rods that hold the material down into the seams that must be hogringed down to some rods buried in the foam 2)when you go to put the seat back pieces on, turn them inside-out about halfway, slide the top part firmly down on the foam, and then SLOWLY roll the rest down (I stressed slowly because I ended up splitting mine a little, but I got lucky and it split behind where the plastic hinge covers are so I just hog ringed it back together and you can't see it) 3) get a better hog ring plier than what comes with the kit (they suck, I went to ACE Hardware and got one with like a spring action that holds the hog ring in place once it is loaded and when you clamp it down it lets go. A well spent $20 considering you will probably use about 75 rings).
Hope that helps

 

Hey thanks alot. The ones you did look super!!

I have been dreading it but when I considered the cost this really is the only way to do it. I am going from the cloth velour to leather-like material so I really do not want to screw it up.

thanks and BTW where did you get your new covers?

 

I got them from Classic Industries. If you look around, they usually give a 20% off code to some people, and some of them post them on forums like this one. I got all my upholstery, passenger carpet, and hatch carpet for like $560 shipped to my door.

 

jimmyj, I have a question for you. Did the repalcement seats come with some type of "backing" foam or material on them or was it just the thin seat cover?? I am just wondering if the aftermarket covers are similar to the factory ones with that extra backing.

Also, what was the name or kind of material used for your new covers?? Do you have close-up pics of the material.

 

Yes, they do have extra foam backing in them. The construction is almost identical to the factory. I'm not sure but I think the fabric was called encore/regal velour, and sorry, I do not have any pics of the fabric before I put it in.

 

I meant do you have or could you take an up close picture of the new ones on your seats now (the aftermarket covers). I am curious to see the texture of the fabric.

 

Close-up pics probably wouldn't help you much. Just call Classic Industries and they will send you some fabric samples in whatever colors you want. That would be the best way to go.