[Greg Reid]

I'm struggling with my new seatcovers. They look ok but I want them to look as they should look to justify the cost and labor of replacing them.
The foam is actually in great shape but I'm wondering if it has compressed over the years to allow too much 'slack' in the covering to get that tight, 'fits like a glove' effect.
Any tips?

[bsblguy]

When I replaced the covers on my trans am I didn’t like the way they fit either. I ended up putting a layer of memory foam over the seat foam then put the covers on. It not only made the seats look good but made them way more comfortable. Everyone noticed as soon as they sat in the car. I used foam that was made for a mattress cover.

[Greg Reid]

Where do you get that bsblguy? Is that the name it's sold under, Memory Foam?
That sounds exactly like what my instinct was telling me. I used to have a large roll of foam and I've looked everywhere for it. I guess I threw it away.

[bsblguy]

I don’t remember for sure where I got it. May have been bed, bath and beyond. It was just a pad to go over a mattress.

[Greg Reid]

Thanks for the tip, I'll shop around for some this weekend and give it a try.

[2002Z4CSS]

Did you try steaming the seats to get rid of the wrinkles?

[Greg Reid]

I don't have a practical way to steam them. Is that supposed to actually shrink them or soften them? Unless these things will shrink...and I'm doubtful of that...Unless these things will actually shrink I don't see how it's going to help.

[ponchjoe]

Greg,

I had the same problem with my 69 Bird seats. I took them back off and consulted a professional. I used new seat foam but he added more to the seat. It really tightened them up and they look great.

[sprintbird]

x2. One should always use new seat foam when possible with new seat covers. If it is not available, go to your nearest fabric store, (your wife knows where to go) and get a 1/2" thick roll of foam. (preferably on the denser side) and a can of spray glue. Cut and glue pieces to cover the surfaces that you will sit on and rest your back. Make sure to leave the troughs exposed to allow for the hog ringing of the wire pockets. Good luck with your seats!

[Greg Reid]

My wife stopped by Hobby Lobby today and got me a big chunk of foam. It's not memory foam but I think it will do the trick. It's about 4" thick and 2'x2' square.
I was going to cut and shape as needed in the slack areas only but I may pick up a roll of thinner to cover the entire seat instead.
My original foam is in great condition but I'm sure it's compressed over the years...It's just weird how well the original covers still fit unless they shrank over the years.
In fact, I considered just repairing the two small splits in them and just dyeing.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by ponchjoe

Greg,

I had the same problem with my 69 Bird seats. I took them back off and consulted a professional. I used new seat foam but he added more to the seat. It really tightened them up and they look great.

This is exactly why I didn't get new foam. I really think I would have had to add additional foam to them too...and with the original not deteriorating at all, I couldn't see adding them to the already considerable expense of the covers and interior panels.

[webfoot]

I tried my own hand at this and it is not easy. I think I am going to have a pro finish it up. One looks decent and one... not so much. Oddly enough the more decent of the 2 still has factory foam (passenger seat) and the driver has new foam.

I like the memory foam, but I'd rather do rust repair and/or body work again than do any more hog ringing.

[Greg Reid]

It's not the easiest thing in the world but this is not the first time I've done it. The big difference is that in the past, I've installed used covers in good condition. They always fit like a glove. This is my first time with brand new covers.
Too bad they won't shrink fit with a heat gun...lol

[Jeff Hamlin]

Are you compressing the seats before hogging the the covers?
New foam and a fat a$$ have always made getting the covers tight an easy task

[Greg Reid]

I can compress the foam and pull the covers so tight that the listing has gone beyond the hog-ring attaching points by an inch or more and there is still slack. By the way, the slack is ALL limited to the outer pad areas. The areas that Legendary calls the collar area.
I sliced a piece of the foam my wife brought me today and test fitted it. I think I'm going to be able to get them to an acceptable fit with a little more tweaking.

[Greg Reid]

Well, not perfect but better than it was...so, that means it matches the rest of my car perfectly!
Obviously, they'll have to be partially broken down to dye the backs and bottom trim and that's when I'll tighten up the loose edges here and there but overall, I'm happy with it. Some of the lumps and bumps I hope will smooth out over time with use and temp changes.
Now, on to the other one.
Gonna dye the rear seat bottom and back as there are no rips at all in them. Already have the new door panels in the box.

[2002Z4CSS]

Seat looks very presentable.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by 2002Z4CSS

Seat looks very presentable.

Yeah, especially considering what I'll mostly be presenting to it.

[HWYSTR455]

Thing is, the slack comes in from the underside, the spring side, because the foam sinks around the springs. Also, I believe the OE covers are heated into a certain shape, after they were sewn. If you look at the covers you can see the 'arch' in them.

One thing you should consider too is adding foam to the underside, and not the top where the cover lays. That way the shape doesn't change. The underlayment is key too.

.

[Greg Reid]

One thing you should consider too is adding foam to the underside, and not the top where the cover lays

That's an interesting thought. I may try that on the passenger side...If I can get the foam of without destroying it. Otherwise, I'll do it just like this one. Like I said, not perfect but it's looking pretty good to me right now.