[dave21042]

I am thinking about ordering one of the seat upholstery kits for a 69 Custom S convertible.

Are they all basically the same (Ames, PY, Paddock, etc.)?

Is this a job that can be done at home or should I pay someone?

Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
David

[dave21042]

I am thinking about ordering one of the seat upholstery kits for a 69 Custom S convertible.

Are they all basically the same (Ames, PY, Paddock, etc.)?

Is this a job that can be done at home or should I pay someone?

Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
David

[Colin]

You can do it at home. Lay the covers in the sun to make them more flexible and they will go on easier. Get a good set of hog ring pliers, not the cheap ones.

[Tom Spafford]

Hi Dave,

For what its worth, I've installed seat covers, foams, and "helper" springs on several seats, its really pretty easy. Help having a second person sometimes, although I've done it myself more than once.

If your at all detail and mechanically oriented, it really is pretty simple. Save teh $$$ for something you really don't wan't to do yourself!

Ciao.

[rlease]

I hope you guys are right. I just ordered a interior kit from PY. I also purchased a "How to" book off Amazon. I looked through the book a little last night and I'm still undecided on whether or not to try it. I'm leaning towards doing it myself though. The headliner looks like it might be the hardest.
Hairy Dog

[GTOster]

Dont mix up the rods on the headliner
Mark them as to what holder they go back into or you'll be sorry
I know from past screw-up's not that much of a differance but enough to matter
As far as the seats sunlight a good thing another person to help Priceless
Paul

[WWWYNN40]

THERE ARE TWO THINGS ON A CAR THAT I CANNOT DO TO A PRO. LEVEL. CONVERTIBLE TOPS AND UPOLSTRY. NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY IT NEVER LOOKS AS GOOD AS A PRO CAN DO. THAT'S MY 2 CENTS WORTH. BW

[eric65]

Has anyone who has done this themselves taken pictures along the way kind of documenting the steps involved in this??? If so are you able to post them here? I reckon the book you are going to get Hairy is going to have pix, if it does Hairy can you let us know in this thread and let us know or me know if the book is worth getting??
Thanks
Eric

[dave21042]

Thanks for the feed back so far, how about the quality of the kits is any one supplier better? Are they all the same stuff?


Thanks again,
Daivd

[ChadH]

Did this on my 69..

Self explanatory UNTIL you try and pull the hog rings on the seat seams, I found using mechanics wire, going through the foam, the throught the flap for the seams that go across the seat, then pull the wire tight to look, wrap it up like a twist tie. Hope that helps, Chad

[rlease]

Eric,

The book I purchased is "Auto Upholstery & Interiors" by Bruce Caldwell. I think there is some good information in it. It also has lots of pictures. It cost a little over $12.00. I bought it hoping it would help me decide whether to do it myself or let a shop do it. I'm still not sure what I sam going to do.
Hairy Dog

[Mike P.]

Dave,

I'd say go for it! If the headliner scares you, farm that part out. I did the seats in my '68 firebird, I posted pics. The suggestion on the mechanic's wire sounds like a good one. You'll see why when you get to that part. Everything else was straight forward.

Mike

[Glenp68]

Zap straps will work better than wire as they have a better surface area and are less likely to pull / tear through the material over time. You need to sharpen the tip on strap and they work great