The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Hog RIngs

I am putting new upholstery on the seat in my '53 Chev pickup. Ordered from Chevy Duty and looks to be good stuff. I can't figure out where to attach the hog rings to the frame without the rings being seen from outside. It would seem like they need to attach under the seat, but the only spot I can find is the frame edge and the rings show. They would really show when I do the back of the seat, so I must be doing something wrong here. My old one had the "C" clips, but they aren't re-usable. Can anyone help me out here? A photo would help alot. Thanks.

I haven't done that for a looong time, but i remember using the "hog rings" with a special plier and crimping them around the spring wires under the seats.

Rick,

Where did the c-clips go on your seat? I assume the c-clips are not hog rings. My '54s had/have clips that were pushed into a lip/groove on the bottom edges of the spring-frame. Jim Carter sells those clips (part # UP220) . JC says these were used from 1937-1959; however, it is my understanding that a professional re-upholstery shop would most likely use hog rings.

Tim

Yeh, I found the same clips from Carter's that you are refering to and ordered two packs of them. I talked to a local guy who does upholstery on classic trucks and he recommended the "C" clips due to the style of frame my seat has. Because the bottom edge of the frame is solid, there is no place to attach hog rings without them showing along the bottom front edge. My old upholstery which is original (I'm fairly sure) was attached with the "C" clips, but those clips were rusted out and not reliable for the new covering. Even if the new upholstery stretched far enough to go back under the seat, the only place I see where you could attach hog rings and have them not show would be directly to the spings and I would think that would cause the springs to be slanted due to the tension, so I don't want to go there even if I could. The upholstery isn't that long to where it could be fitted up underneath without compressing the springs. Guess they made those "C" clips for a reason and certainly makes sense to me.

Rick,
The "C" style clips you are after are correct for the cover you are trying to install, not hog rings. The part number you at Carters is correct, I have the clips as well. I do classic and antique auto/truck upholstery and glass, 30+ years. Do be careful when installing the clips not to cut the seat cover fabric. Use a tack hammer to install if you have available ...... this will save your fingers. Without getting into a book here on installing the cover, fit your cover over the seat springs and batting, centering the cover and checking the fit. If all looks good, start from the front center of the cover working outward 2 or 3 clips at a time spacing clips about 2 - 3 inches apart alternating right to left, and front to back. I have these clips in stock at our shop if needed. Our website is www.aglassenterprise.com glad to help out anytime for all of your restoration needs.
restoman57

Hey thanks Restoman! That's the information I needed to hear. Much appreciated. The clips should be here about any time and I can get this project finished.