[dave21042]

I purchased new seat covers and wondering if I should do it myself or pay someone. I called one shop and they said $400 to re-cover the seats with my components, is this a good price. It's a 69 Custom S Convertible with Bucket Seats.

Thanks

[rdk]

I had mine done last year,with seat covers from PUI? I think, it cost 225.00 and was a very nice job

[md1twal3]

I don't know if $400 is a good price, but buy yourself some hog rings and a hog ring pliers and do it yourself if you already have the seat kit. Take your time and hog ring the covers in the right areas to avoid wrinkles and you should be fine.

I have done many and it really isn't all that hard...

[cnc]

Seat covering isn't that hard like mentioned keep note of hog ring postioning to keep out the wrinkles and have at her also helps if the underpadding is good.....

[Colin]

Lay the covers out in the sun so they will be easier to work with.

[ChupaCabras]

I bought foam and PUI fronts for my '66. I skinned the back support area of one seat to the metal frame to see if I could do a good reasonable stab at it..the foam is "standard" for many cars and was not a perfect fit and I could easily tell it was going to be fun..not..the old foam also was dry and chalky and messy to work with...It took 30+ minutes just to get there. PUI intructions also noted to use burlap..lets see..nope..as expected I didnt have any burlap lying around... burlap hunting+good set of hog ring pliers+calculated time to do both seats (4-5 miserable hours)= not worth it. I have done a lot of work myself.. but as you get older you realize some things are best done by the pros... a local upholstery shop did both front seats for $150. they came back a LOT better that anything I could've done.. I provided PUI covers and foam.

[carcollector]

This is not that hard. Before you start, make sure you have inspected your frames for rust and cracks. Order a zillion hog rings. Just trust me with that number. Hog ring pliers are a must. Also, have nearby a quality heavy gage wire cutter. Burlap is required between cushion and piano wire. Now, when your ready to install the warm cover, turn it inside out and slowly unfurl, tugging on it as you slide it down. For the seat cover, you can use that thin dry-cleaning plastic over your cushion and your seat cover will slide easily.
Hope this helps. Chris.

[sharkbite]

You see them do it on the car shows all the time, doesn't seem that hard.
I 2nd what Colin said, "Lay the covers out in the sun so they will be easier to work with."

[eric65]

check this book out about $13 on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/155...lance&n=283155

Has some nice instruction for DIY

I ordered and although havent done them yet it seems managable

Always gets down to money though and $400 or $150 is more for other stuff needed

[twoponchos]

It is an easy install. Just do it yourself.

[GTOster]

Did mine last year very easy
You need a good set of Hog Ring Plires a must to save your hands Belive Me
Set your covers in the sun it heat's them up and takes out winkles
After you get the foam on and you are ready to put covers on go find a friend
Putt a thin plastic bag over (From dry cleaners work best) seat padding and sprinkle talc power on the bag this will allow covers to slid on easy after the covers are on, pull plastic off from under the seat thin plastic will rip out very easy
Get a set of vicegripps pull the cover and have your friend set the hog ring
Repeat on other seat
Safety glasses are somthing to think about since hog rings DO FLY
Hope this helps
Paul

[dave21042]

Thanks for all the input, I ordered the suggested book plus one other I had found. I think I will give it a try and see how I do, if I can't do a good enough job then I will pay someone. I'll try to post a few pics in case anyone wants to see them.

Thanks again.

[autobahn]

If you have a digital camera take pics as it comes apart you can't miss doing that.

[BlueGTO]

I jest did mine if your doing the fronts do one at a time it helps see how things go if in question.Dosent seem to be that hard take your time

[firebirdcrazy1959]

Do it your self,take your time ,no beer while doing them!Just be clean and make sure their warm and will strech alittle.Buy a good hog ring tool also.i bought the best one i could find.I've done about a 100 or more seats,[i worked in a dealership].I would always put the covers in the sun to warm up.To me the hardest was leather covers,had to get them just right on the foam.I laid out a big clean sheet or a cardboard box to work on.

[dave21042]

Other than the headrest and the plastic trim, I finished one seat. The color is parchment, flash wahed it out and it looks white in the picture.

Thanks, to all who helped me with advice.

[Ron Landis]

John Sawruk once told me when I called him about an HO '69 Custom S convertible that it was one of the rarest Pontiacs made. I knew very little about Pontiacs at the time amd let the HO rengine and small cc "48's" get away. Good luck with you project. Ron