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Topic: Installing new leather covers/cushions

in Forum: C3 Interior


Installing new leather covers/cushions

Posted: 5/19/04 6:50pm Message 1 of 4
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Baldwinsville, NY - USA
Joined: 11/5/2003
Posts: 34
Vette(s): Stock 1982 Black w/silver interior
I just received new leather seats and cushions from Mid America. The ones I bought are the pre-installed that should simply snap in place. By the way even the easiest tasks for me is a all day event. There were no instructions, just the seats.

My questions are:
Do the old ones just snap out and the new ones snap in?
Is it best to install the bottom seat first or back first?

Any help would be great. thanks!


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Installing new leather covers/cushions

Posted: 5/19/04 8:21pm Message 2 of 4
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
It doesn't really matter if you do the back or bottom first. They are two seperate operations. Removing the old one require removing what is called hog rings. Hog rings are just heavy wire bent in a loop to attach the material to the frame. You can bend them to an open position with two pairs of pliers. You may need to reinstall them, with the covers you bought, perhaps not. If so a pair of hog ring pliers is a great help, but it can be done with regular pliers. Much more difficult.
You want the covers to be warm. Setting them in the sun helps a lot. Cold covers are not very cooperative. Be sure you pull them tight, and even, to keep wrinkles out. Take your time and you'll be fine.


Installing new leather covers/cushions

Posted: 5/19/04 8:33pm Message 3 of 4
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Joined: 10/21/2003
Posts: 1220
Bill, the precovered cushions aren't that hard to install. For the bottom cushion, grab it at the "break" between the upper and lower cushions and push down while pulling toward you. When you feel the clips release they should just "roll" right out. Once out you will see the way to hook them back in. To put the new ones in it might help to SLIGHTLY bend the tabs out. The uppers need to be pushed in on one side, sideways, to release the clips then pull back toward you. Just takes some patience. Goodluck, Mike


Installing new leather covers/cushions

Posted: 5/21/04 4:06pm Message 4 of 4
Former Member
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Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 36
Vette(s): 1979 Black L48, (someone added the L82 hood emblem), oyster interior 78600 miles, matching numbers,am/fm/cb
I just installed new cushions a month ago and here is what I found. 1) Check the wire spacing on the new seats vs the spacing on the clips in the seats. I had to bend the wires in the cushions a little to make them fit the clips. 2) I found I had to install the back cushion first and then the seat cushion.
I spent about about 6 hours on the first seat before I checked the wire to clip spacing. The second seat took about 30 minutes after I had a little practice. Hope this helps.


marko

in Forum: C3 Interior


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