The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Seat covers and padding

Ok guys I am looking for some info on who has the best seat covers for the do it yourselfers. I was looking at the pleated seat covers in LMC, and I like the looks of them. I need to replace burlap,cotton,and all padding. The only thing I have is the springs. Everything on the covers was shot.Who has the best padding(easiest to work with) etc.. What are your pros and cons and experiences? My truck is a 1951 3100. It's going back pretty much stock with a few updates(12volts,seat covers and turn singnals). Thanks Eric

Has no one rebuilt their own seat? I try to do all the repairs or rebuilding myself if I can. Except for paint, I suck at that.I am just trying to find out the easiest way to go. Thanks Eric

I did my 63 myself, and I ordered the parts from classic chevy. Took 3-4 hours to cover and make look good, but saved alot by doing it myself

Is this the classic chevy you are referring to?

http://www.classicchevy.com/

My truck is a 1951 3100. It's going back pretty much stock with a few updates(12volts,seat covers and turn singnals). Thanks Eric

yeah. only takes 2-3 days delivery if they have in stock. fit nice, fairly easy to install. just take your time.

1955, 1956, 1957 at Classic Chevy?
Do they have 1951 truck seat covers and padding?

i got seat covers from carter for the ashton and had a pro install them. it was sort of costly but i had zero fustration during the job which for me is a big savings and was totally satisfied. i bought covers again for the dump going on two years now and have yet to put them on. i was thinking of doing it myself but once i get sorted out from an engine overhaul ill probably get the pro to do it for me again and save on the fustration. i dont have the proper tools nor am i going to buy them for a one time job.

Well Ashton, I think you're taking the absolute best approach to the deal. I did my own but the next time I'll take it to the local upholsterer and let him trim it out.
DG

Speaking of "seat covers", how come you never see "seat covers" in the old trucks like you used to see in a lot of the cars? I mean, "seat covers" that went over the original upholstery, not the re-upholstery covers like we see in the seat kits now days. I know I had several cars in the 50's and 60's that I had "seat covers" installed. That was a big business for the upholstery shops and I remember sending a lot of the used cars out for “seat covers” when I was a Chevy parts man. I'm guessing that it was that the commercial vehicles had heavier original upholstery than the passenger cars, which often were some sort of fabric?
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

i got my seat cover from jim carter's. i was able to reuse the cotton and the burlap but i added some foam from the local big box store to help flush out the seat. i am totaly satisfied in the way it came out. one thing i learned was that i did not need hog rings but i did need those c shaped upostery clips.

it took my wife and i a 3-4 hours to get it done to our satisfaction.

A word of caution if doing this job by yourself.......DON"T pull too hard on the fabric as it will rip! Don't ask me how I know! I got my kit from LMC, for my 64 C-30. Came out nice but it is ripped at the bottom corner of both sides where I pulled too hard! Learn from others mistakes!

On young man young man I just last week got my seat cover from a place that is just great. Ricks Custom upholstery. Google it and go to their website. they are in Columbia Tn. They are some of the nicest people and the quality of thier work is very vey good.
They also offer you a lot of colors and several differet style options I found others were not willing to do. Each of their covers is hand sewn at the time of the order. I got my colors I chose a style/pattern I liked and the padding of the cover that is sewn into the cover is superior to any thing I found. If yo send me your email I will send you a pic of mine. I can not figure how to get the picture on here. I gar on T you will not be disappointed.

Sorry guys, ws nto thinking heere is the link to rick's custom upholstery
http://www.ricksupholstery.com/

there are certain things on our trucks that i think (at least for me) require a specialist. upholsterey is one of them. they know how much padding to add and still be able to fit it, pull it tight enough to flex from the ride but not tight enough to pull it out of frame or pull it apart at seams.

I just recieved my cover and padding for my seat. Cover from LMC, padding from Jim Carter. Both look good so far.I will let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the replies. Eric

Eric,

Did the "padding" from Jim Carter come with just burlap and cotton batting? Or,did it include a coir matting (or other firm matting)?

It has a piece of thick,(what looks like felt) in it also. I didn't unwrap it completly,I just looked to see what all came in with it. The instructions said there is enough to do the seat and it is not needed on the back. I will get back to you when I get back. My mother passed today and I am headed back home to Illinois tomorrow for funeral. Thanks for all the replies. This is a great site. Eric

Eric,

Yes, I now recall receiving a sheet of felt. I found the firmness provided by that installation set inadequate (even after I doubled the cotton batting and the felt).

After looking at a picture of a cross section of a seat cushion and studying a photo album of Denny Graham's, I think that felt is not firm enough (and/or the thickness I received was not thick enough) to hide the tops of the individual springs. It seems that a matting firmer than felt (a coir material) was in the middle of the layers covering the bottom seat-cushion springs.

Here is a hijacked thread that discusses coir matting.

Ok guys it's done and here are some pictures. http://community.webshots.com/user/elmclm Tell me what you think. Thanks Eric

Eric,

Excellent photos. Excellent job.

How does it feel when you sit on it? I like the indoor/outdoor carpeting idea. I wish I had thought of that. Did you use felt also?

It looks like your pieces of burlap and cotton are far larger than I received from JC about 7 years ago.

I just used the burlap,carpet, 2 layers of cotton and the cover was padded with 1/2 inch of foam also. Did not use felt. It is firm, but it feels good so far. The LMC cover fit like a glove, just few creases that I need to work out. Thanks for the compliments. Eric

looking good Mr.Eric... Was not that hard to do at all was it...?

Very nice work of documentation for the next generation

Thanks Wizard.

Mine are at the upholstery shop right now. $200 to install my covers. Edgerton, WI

Got the seat in the truck, darn glad I listened to my wife this time! Had the pro do it and they turned out great, both in appearance, and comfort. He beefed up the "lumbar" area of the backrest, or should I say he created an area. Looks very stock, feels better than stock...$200. I'm so happy, I will go back and tip him $20.