I ordered a set of stock seat covers and a foam set from Mid America. I am going to attempt to recover the seats myself. Does anyone have any tips that I should know or any pitfalls to avoid? I would appreciate any advice.

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Buy a good set of "hog ring" pliers, and a box of hog rings.  You can get them at Tractor Supply. 


The biggest tip I can offer is that when you put the covers on the backs, use heat to loosen the covers so that they stretch.  A hot air gun (but don't hold it too close!) will loosen them up so that they'll stretch over the backs.  If you don't get them on really tight, the material bunches up around the headrest and looks pretty bad. 


I did mine, and they came out OK, but they are not perfect.  But if I had to do it again, I'd pay a professional.  If you can afford to have someone else do it, it would be money well spent. 


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"Let them that don't want none have memories of not gettin' any."
- Brother Dave Gardner

If you can get your hands on a copy of the July 2009 issue of Corvette Fever they have a good article on the different options and step by step instructions for recovering seats.  Also last year there was a demo by Corvette America (I think) at Corvettes at Carslisle and they handed out DVDs with a video demo.  You can probably find it on their website or even uTube.  Finally, I never tried it, but someone suggested putting the seat cover in the dryer a few minutes to soften them up and use baby powder on the foam when slipping them on.  I replaced my foam and put the old covers back on it wasnt too bad,  then I decided to buy new covers anyway and will be switching them out this spring! Good luck!

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Mario

Thanks for the tips, guys. I will let you know how I make out.

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Recovering seats takes a 12 step program bottoms are pretty easy but the backs can be a pain in the %$$ chased mine all over the living room floor, plastic bag or a silicone spray will help getting material over foam. GOOD LUCK

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Need to see what your seat buns look like when you take the old covers off. I bought a sheet of 1" foam sheeting from a sewing store, cut some pieces to shape and used interior spray adhesive and glued them to the top of the existing buns.

Thanks for the tips, I will let you know how I make out. I am expecting to receive my covers on Wed or Thur. I already have the new foam set on hand so I am hoping to be able to do it this weekend

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See the Corvette America video, should be helpful. http://www.corvetteamerica.com/video/76_78scInstall/

When doing the seat part, have someone or something to compress the seat and the seat cover will slide on better.

The plastic bag works well. Make Sure it is NOT to big and it is ONLY over the HEADREST and SHOULDER area or iy can SLIDE and bunch up. Check ALL your fittings, and anything that MIGHT go bad like the sliders, hinges ETC and INVEST in some Nitral Gloves and CHANGE them IF you get ANY DIRT on them CHEAP INSURANCE



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Take Care
George Pavlisko
1978 Vette 25th Anniv
2003 Vette 50th Anniv
1998 Land Rover 50th Anniv
1978 Rolls Royce
Other cars

Build your own clips using hog rings and trash the ones in the installation kit. Just string them together like a chain. They're stronger and work better than the clips. Save all of the rods from your old install. There wont be enough in the kit. Use lots of baby powder to make things slide into place. Be patient. Mine took at least 20 hours. It looks professional or better. And have a helper. Oh... you'll learn new cuss words. Follow the corvette america videos PRECISELY. (Except for the seat clip part... think hog rings :-)

|UPDATED|7/25/2013 5:48:04 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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