Rear Seat Upholstey Help

[Red5oh]

I have searched the web and most help is with the front seats. I need help with the rear.

It is in OK condition, but the canvas and metal strips inside the canvas are showing some wear (its a 67) Is it best to replace all that and the foam, or reuse it? Where do you get the canvas with metal in it? I know you can get the foam at the upholstery shop and you can cut it to fit.

Any help will be appreciated, and I really dont expect a ton of use in the rear when this is all done.

Thanks!

 

[BarnStang]

NPD sells the canvas, but it does not have the metal reinforcment mesh weaved in. It's just burlap mat. But it looks nice when the seats are done. You can buy repop foam for the front seats. Not sure about the back seat. I don't think we have ever replaced rear seat foam. As long as it's in good shape, just reuse it.

 

[Red5oh]

At what point do you replace the burlap? I am going to take it all apart today. If the metal is still intact with the burlap, leave it and reuse it? If the metal is coming out, replace it? Ect?

Thanks so much.

 

[GNGREN]

Just goto Wal Mart and get the burlap. It is pretty cheap by the yard. I also bought some extra thick batting due to mine being gone. It worked out very well. I was able to over stuff the seat and it filled out very well. I don't have any pictures.....camera broke and too cheap to get another.

 

[66 Restomod]

I replaced all the foam and burlap in my seats so my car wouldn't have that "old car smell". For the rears the burlap (without metal strands in it) is available in many places as has been said already, but I went to a local fabric house and paid $5 for enough to do the rear seats. Two tips on the rear seats -- there are listing rods in the bottom upholstery so don't throw them away, reuse them in the new; also, after installing a few hog rings into the top and bottom cushion, test fit both in the car to make sure the piping that runs around the seat cover inserts actually lines up well top-to-bottom.

 

[Red5oh]

Thanks, I took it apart yesterday and there are some nastly looking spots in that batting/fabric under there... almost look like mold, but it didnt grow. I noticed some stuff on the web showing a guy putting the underlayment around the metal framing to soften the look and help with tearing, etc.

Its amazing... the motor work, body work and electrical is very easy... but the covering of a darn SEAT is complicated...

There was some rust in the lower section near the base. I will weld in a replacement there so I can pull on it pretty good and see how that works out.

I did notice the listing rods you mentioned... figured they would play out to be important.

Is the batting you used the same as the underlayment? Or is the thick padding (foam) to be used instead of the stuff that was there?

Thanks again, and I will try to take more pictures in the future myself.

 

[Red5oh]

Ok, me again... I just got a quote from an upholstery shop for me to take the seat to them (they quoted 4 hours of work) and they will replace all foam/burlap/padding (everything) and charge me 225 to put my seat cover on... what do you think?

For that, I might just have to try it myself... but I want your opinion as well.

 

[GNGREN]

It really isn't that hard to do in my opinion. The rear seat was a freakin breeze compared to the front. As a matter of fact I still need to do my drivers seat and it's been a year almost since I did the others. The back seat if I remember correctly only gets hog ringed around the perimiter of the frame? Maybe in the middle at the hump for the bottum cushion. But over all it was pretty easy. I just need to get time to do the other seat. I put the rolled batting down and I think it was a dounle layer of 1/2" foam from Wal Mart on the seat. I can't get to the seats to even try and get a picture with my phone. But if you did the fronts then the back is super easy.

Personally I can't seem to justify spending money for somthing I can do myself. The batting, burlap and foam costs less than $30.00 plus your time. If you need it right away and have the money or don't have the skills pay someone to do it. I don't think it will take 4 hours, maybe 2 I mean I did the top and bottum in less than 3hrs and It was only my second attempt at upolstering. The first being the passenger seat.

 

[Red5oh]

I stopped by another place and he said 100... I am at least going to bring him the pieces and see what he has to say officially.

I guess I cant say I did the whole car 100% at this point, but I am just glad to be alive versus 100% of the car... my goal is still the end of Dec and we have alot of travel plans in place as well... its gonna be tight.

 

[GNGREN]

I used to think it would be cool to say I did 100% of everything on the car. But I quickly realized I ain't a body man...And I really didn't have any body work to do on the car. The left quarter had been smacked in a parking lot before I bought the car in high school (17 years ago.). I trie to hammer and dolly it out and mud it. What a mistake. There is no shame in paying someone to do work you don't posses the skills, knowhow, or even time to do. Atleast in my opinion.

I think the $100.00 is more in the ball park. I could see even $125-150.00 if you figure $40/hr lbr and $20 in material $100 is pretty close. I really can'y see it taking a professional more than 2 hrs to do the back seat.

 

[Red5oh]

That is what I was thinking... I dont know why the other told me 4 hours and 250. I feel that was a bit excessive.

I am sure I could have figured it out, as it doesnt sound too hard... but time is my enemy right now. I have fewer days I feel good and actually feel like working on it and for $100... no big deal.

If you havent seen my cardomain site, I would like your opinion. It litterally has everything on the car. I know I need to have more updated pictures, but I am trying.

It is raining here badly today and I hope to drop off the seat parts tomorrow and see what he says. I will update after that.

 

[GNGREN]

I have seen your site before. It is pretty nice. You've got a great looking car there. Hope I can get mine looking as nice some day......

 

[Red5oh]

I dropped it off and we had a lengthy discussion on burlap, jut padding, foam, etc... he explained why everything was there and for what I am looking, it is going to get a combination of all of it. The juting/burlap is to protect the foam from the springs and give the user a 'non' spring feeling. The padding is of course padding. The one question he asked what 'how many times are you going to use the back seat?" My response was "Not very much" so that was a deciding factor. My little one is in a booster seat, then she will be in that bottom only for another 4 years... by then who knows what will happen.

I am confident that it will turn out great and worth every penny. I had the seat in my car all day before I took it out to him and boy did it STINK!!!! I informed him I didnt want any of that old 40 year old material left as I had replaced everything else... might as well not leave that out either.

I will get pics when it is done and update everyone. Thanks for all the help.