Michael Todd Thorpe's Journal
Home Page: Michael Todd Thorpe
Bakersfield, CA, USA
| Total Posts: 38 | Latest Post: 2018-07-19 |
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Yesterday morning I slipped the new covers onto the seat backs and foams. I let them rest over night and thought over and over again about whether to use adhesive for the final assembly. By this morning I decided to forgo the glue.
I got an early start, and by lunch time I had both seats covered in their new vinyl. I tried to stay focused and work slowly. I reused all of the original clip hardware as well as the original headrest grommets. I started with the seat bottoms, setting clips in the front first and then working down both sides. I then moved on to the seat backs. That took a while because I was reusing the headrest grommets and I had to take those apart to reuse them. I put the headrests in place before moving on with the clips on the backs and I think that helped keep things aligned. The little flaps on either side of the backs aren’t secured as of yet. I didn’t have any of the original small screws or cup washers and need to see if I can source those. And the flaps don’t quite stretch down as far as the original covers, so I may not secure them at all.
It’s a good thing I took lots of photos when I disassembled the seats because I reviewed those constantly. I also see why there is ample advice about keeping one seat together while working so you can use it as a reference. Though, in my case, that wasn’t an option as I needed to get the frames cleaned and coated.
Is the fit perfect? No. But considering that it’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like this, they didn’t turn out bad at all.
The next job is to install the seats back in the car, and make a decision on what seat belts I want. I’m almost certain I will go with aviation style buckles... I think they look far sharper than the more modern look.
I got an early start, and by lunch time I had both seats covered in their new vinyl. I tried to stay focused and work slowly. I reused all of the original clip hardware as well as the original headrest grommets. I started with the seat bottoms, setting clips in the front first and then working down both sides. I then moved on to the seat backs. That took a while because I was reusing the headrest grommets and I had to take those apart to reuse them. I put the headrests in place before moving on with the clips on the backs and I think that helped keep things aligned. The little flaps on either side of the backs aren’t secured as of yet. I didn’t have any of the original small screws or cup washers and need to see if I can source those. And the flaps don’t quite stretch down as far as the original covers, so I may not secure them at all.
It’s a good thing I took lots of photos when I disassembled the seats because I reviewed those constantly. I also see why there is ample advice about keeping one seat together while working so you can use it as a reference. Though, in my case, that wasn’t an option as I needed to get the frames cleaned and coated.
Is the fit perfect? No. But considering that it’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like this, they didn’t turn out bad at all.
The next job is to install the seats back in the car, and make a decision on what seat belts I want. I’m almost certain I will go with aviation style buckles... I think they look far sharper than the more modern look.
Completed and with headrests covered.
The bottoms and the backs rested overnight.
Driver side seat.
Clipped and trimmed.
Closer view.
One of the completed seat bottoms.
Completed seat.
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