The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Jim Carter Upholstery Problem

99% of Jim's 60-66 seat covers are on backorder. That can't be. All those colors and styles? Why does he not tell us he lost his vendor or what the heck is really going on?
Backorder is code for what?

What few pictures there are, are ridiculous. This is not like him at all.

.....call Jim, ask for him personally, or for them to have him call you back, and ask him that question. Nothing like going to the "main man".
...or since Bowtie Tim knows him so well maybe he can drive by and ask in person.

I recently purchased a seat cover kit for a '47 AD when I was at Jim Carter's Truck Parts in July. The front counter man, John, told me the the AD seat cover I wanted was on back order because it's locally manufactured in the KC area. When you place a seat cover order, JC contacts their local supplier and the seat cover is put together. If this is true, I would suppose there is some lag time from order to delivery. In my case, the seat cover was delivered in approximately 10 days after I placed the order........

The word "backorder" is the wrong word for them to use. It connotes "out of stock" "waiting for restock from vendor". "Don't know when". In other words, a negative vibe.

It's nice you got to talk to a person and had it explained. Some buyers may move on to one of the many other sites that sell seats.
Because of your info, I found a note on the shopping cart page. Seen after you hit "add to cart". It says "requires 14 days to complete and ship".

I would have that note on the description page if I were them. Under the picture. Instead of the words "on backorder". Also there are no pictures of most of the covers. Anyone you sells online knows that you must have good clear pictures. It's all we have to decide if it will look good in our truck.

Jim Carter is a very good and honest company. It just caused me to pass them up. Good to know that the seat covers are not on backorder per se.

I ordered my seat cover and it took a month and a 1/2 to get. Like other person said, local company sews them, but well done and worth the wait IMHO.

Are you talking J. Carter truck seat covers? or buell motorcycle? or what?

lol, typo JIm Carter

So is Jim Carter the best source for an accurate seat upholstery kit? I've learned there are good suppliers, and there are the best suppliers. Jim has become my go to for parts that are right and on the level as far as proper for a restoration.

I ordered the seat upholstery kit from J Carter’s a few years ago. I tried installing it myself. I ended up taking the project to a pro after finding the kit was too big. They ended up having to alter; remove several inches of extra material. My understanding from them was it is really hard to get a kit and expect it to fit tight without wrinkles and puckers. There are too many unknowns at the beginning, such as spring conditions, foam thickness, condition and type and padding thickness and use or no use of same. They did a super job. I don’t recall off hand the cost, but it was less than $200, I think.

Since it appears Jim Carter's seat cover kit is still on backorder, I found a seat cover from The Filling Station. Anyone have any experience with that product, or should I just wait for Jim to get restocked??

I have a 54 deluxe 1/2 ton and ended up having them custom made. I found the original fabric pattern from a place in Oregon, shipped in the fabric ad had a local guy make the upholstery.

Was well worth it, had the original covers under vinyl cover so I know it matched original.

Looks, good, posey

SMS Auto Fabrics, perhaps?

They are excellent.
I also got two-tone interior/exterior 1954 pick-up truck material from them (and, odd/uncommon 54/55 GMC 2-ton COE upholstery material from them).

Gigantic selection, good prices, good service.
They say to send a sample, and they will find a match (and, send you a small sample for your approval).

One sneaky trick for installing kit-type seat covers is to toss the material into a clothes dryer for a few minutes on the low heat setting. It will soften up and be a lot easier to handle, with less of a tendency to pucker and wrinkle, if it's warm. Setting it out in the open for a couple of hours on a hot, sunny day also works, if the weather in your area is cooperative.
Jerry

Here is another option. On three of my trucks I have called Jim Carter and ordered the fabric sent to me. You have to talk to a sales person who will get back to you with a price. Using two different upholstery shops I have the local places deal with my padding, broken springs,etc. Both shops commented on the fine quality of the seat material.

Kent

Yes, SMS. Left the old original fabric upholstery to use for a pattern and he replicated it exactly.

Of course the job would not be complete without the use of the horse hair padding (2 layers) and cotton batting. (no foam).

https://www.upholsteryconnection.com/products/rubberhair-rubberized-curled-hair

Re-read the thread: Jim Carter seat covers are not really on "backorder" per se, they are sewn to spec when you place your order.

I have bought kits from JC.

The person who makes his covers is excellent.

If you are interested in 47-55st Suburban covers, please send me a PM with your phone number. JC is not mindful of the fact that there were two cushion-set sizes during that period. His seamstress is up on this difference

By the way, in case this is not posted/noted in above posts: JC's installation kits are inadequate - they are missing a key layer (you and your passengers' butts will suffer/feel-it).