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Topic: Total interior make over

in Forum: C3 Interior


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Total interior make over (1/13)
 4/19/14 10:20am
joey4fingers
Former Member

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Honeoye Falls, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Coupe, T-Tops, Red, 4-Speed, ZZ4 350 from Chevrolet Performance.


Joined: 9/16/2012
Posts: 10

The interior is one of the last things that I have to do on the car. The car sat for quite a while before I bought it and the interior definitely shows it. I'm comfortable with doing the carpet, console, and dash, but, I have been reading some of the other discussions on the seats and I'm second guessing on attempting that one. Any advice on this? Is it easier all around to farm it out? I don't really want to spend 1/2 of my dwindling 401K (thanks stock market) to get it done, but it still has to get done. Any help on where to get the best foams, covers, etc., is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

        Joe



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Re: Total interior make over (2/13)
 4/19/14 12:48pm
dads2vetteLifetime Member
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Ash Fork, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Red Interior White exterior


Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1052

Hey Joe, I did the interior in mine.  I had the seats farmed out to a neighbor because he needed the cash.  Interior looks god but not as good as the seats I have seen from Ecklers, Corvette Central and Mid-America.  One of the greatest pieces of advice is "get the best you can afford", if I would only follow that advice.

Not knowing how your seats are this would be my suggestion.  If you have good foam check out local upholsterers.  If the foam stinks you'll want to buy new and if you plan on going to Corvettes at Carlisle at least one of the vendors there had a deal on install.  Maybe someone can remember how much of a deal or you can contact them...I think it was Corvette Central.  Personally I wouldn't put new covers on old foam but in case you haven't noticed some of my decision making is questionable at best.


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Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!!      Long and short term leases available.
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Re: Total interior make over (3/13)
 4/19/14 10:15pm
tb2k82ceLifetime Member
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Lemon Grove, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.


Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041

I agree with farming them out.  For sure get new foam.  It makes a big difference.  I would be interested in hearing from anyone that did the seats themselves and what they think about doing it a second time.  

I have put seat in two cars but they were bench seats. 
Re: Total interior make over (4/13)
 4/20/14 8:59am
joey4fingers
Former Member

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Honeoye Falls, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Coupe, T-Tops, Red, 4-Speed, ZZ4 350 from Chevrolet Performance.


Joined: 9/16/2012
Posts: 10

At the end of the day, I'm not too concerned with price - I just want it done right. I will need new foams, the 34 year old originals are in there now. Not comfortable at all. The buckets and backs are salvageable, but will probably need new hinges and hardware - no sense in scrimping at this point. 

I also forgot to ask - has anyone out there bought replacement seat belts? If so, what vendors offer a quality replacement? I have been looking at Eckler's but if anybody has any experiences to share, I'm open to the advice.



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Re: Total interior make over (5/13)
 4/20/14 11:52am
california68Lifetime Member
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Yorba Linda, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1968 convertible, small block, auto, pw, pb, ps, air, 3rd owner CA black plate


Joined: 3/19/2008
Posts: 53

For my seatbelts I used Snakeoyl out of Texas.  They did a great job of refurbishing the original buckles, and all new belt webbing.  Not inexpensive, but done right.  I did do my seats myself using leather from Corvette Central.  they came out pretty well. ( I had a convertible top put on by an interior shop last year and the owner commented that if I wanted a job come on over. )  They were a bit difficult, and it took my wife's extra set of hands and her hair dryer to get the wrinkles out, but it can be done.  Unless your foam is pretty new it should be replaced as well.  The carpet and heat blanket was pretty easy.   Here Is Snakeoyl's web site:  http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/  

Have fun, you will love your new interior!



Re: Total interior make over (6/13)
 4/20/14 10:53pm
dyoes
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Zachary, LA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 L-48 Auto. Just your basic Vette. GM crate motor w/vortec heads and intake. Crane cam. Scorpion rockers, Edelbrock carb. Lots of parts still in boxes... :(


Joined: 1/27/2013
Posts: 201

I agree with farming them out.  I did my own, and was tickled to death with how they came out until I saw Dad's... He had them done by a pro.  Should have done the same! 

Definitely change the seat foam.  34 years of stink and sweat will NOT wear well.  The seats weren't great when they were new, and they're definitely not getting better with age.

If you can afford it, farm the whole thing out!!!


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

Re: Total interior make over (7/13)
 4/29/14 9:39am
joey4fingers
Former Member

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Honeoye Falls, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Coupe, T-Tops, Red, 4-Speed, ZZ4 350 from Chevrolet Performance.


Joined: 9/16/2012
Posts: 10

Thanks for all of the good advice guys, I appreciate it. Not 100% sure which way I'm going on the seats, but after the replies I am not gonna attempt it myself. Like a once famous doctor said: "Dammit Jim I'm mechanic not an upholsterer". Anyway - I'm diving in shortly here and gonna get it done. Thanks again everybody!

                                     Joe



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Re: Total interior make over (8/13)
 4/29/14 12:46pm
HighDesertDave
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Carson City, NV - USA

Vette(s):
Numbers matching 1972 350 4 speed, silver pewter body with blue interior


Joined: 12/4/2013
Posts: 239

I'll be recovering my seats next month....why not right? I'll have that video on the laptop near by to use as my guide. I don't recall which retailer has that up on their site but it was super detailed...showed every step live. When I find it I'll post it here.
Dave


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My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?

Re: Total interior make over (9/13)
 4/29/14 3:19pm
JohnRR
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Joined: 2/22/2011
Posts: 110

While the carpet and seats are out, consider adding some sound and heat insulation on the floors, tunnel, and firewall.  




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1973 BB 4-Speed Coupe Project Car
2009 Z06 Mostly Stock
Re: Total interior make over (10/13)
 4/29/14 5:17pm
NorskyLifetime Member
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West Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am


Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7189

For what it is worth 10 years ago I recovered the seats of "The Toy".  Made it a winter project so there was no rush.  I don't remember where I got the new foam and covers but I do remember it was all that difficult.  The first seat took twice as long as the second seat did and I didn't even repeat the one mistake I made. 

I was also going to replace the convertible top myself but decided wisely (for me anyway) to have that done by a pro.


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Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Re: Total interior make over (11/13)
 5/4/14 12:28pm
Crockett 1
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Joined: 8/7/2012
Posts: 6

Hey Joe,  I am in the process of changing my seats and it seems to me after a lot of research, that the best way to do it is buy the replacement cushions already covered. Corvette America and all of the other supply houses carry them. I got a sale with 12% off, I would suggest you get the leather ones if you are going for it. They also carry the dye if seat buckets need refinishing. Good luck
with your project
Andy
  
Re: Total interior make over (12/13)
 5/11/14 12:09pm
swany 80vette
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Vette(s):
1980 c3


Joined: 3/24/2014
Posts: 62

I haven't done my vette but I have a  67 ss chevelle with buckets of course. Anyway I bought a whole new interior and everything was easy except the seats. Never again!! The back bench seat wasn't real bad but bad enough, and it looked ok but the buckets were another story. I tried hairdryers putting them in the clothes dryer for a bit and with new foam just couldn't get them to go on right, I took them to a shop and it was done quick and done RIGHT. they looked great and I don't remember the cost but it wasn't that bad just for the labor as I had all the other stuff, FARM IT OUT . With the old foam it isn't bad but with new foam take it somewhere
Re: Total interior make over (13/13)
 5/22/14 6:56pm
dbarnesid
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Boise, ID - USA

Vette(s):
1972 mille miglia red corvette convertible. This is a car currently under restoration. The pic above is of me and my Ph.D. candidate daughter. She, not my Vette, is my pride and joy. Smile...


Joined: 5/29/2013
Posts: 159

I did mine and they are fantastic. Corvette America has outstanding online videos. Have patience. It took maybe 20 hours to do the first one. The second took about seven hours. The foam was awful and the springs rusted so fixing that part took time. I don't think many or any pros could do better. Faster? Sure. But not better.

|UPDATED|5/22/2014 3:56:14 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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