reupholstering seats

[dullbird]

Has anyone actually done it to their 2a?

I mean have you done it yourself?? I was thinking of having it done at a shop as I have some ideas on what I would like them to look like but just wondered if anyone had actually done it to their car and was it hard?

[zulu Delta 534]

My wife did the seats on two of our S2as and is currently doing the seats on the S1.
I don't think she found it that hard, but then again if I can get her on to a computer there could be a slightly different story.


A reasonable sewing machine of course is the key to the operation plus an experienced operator helps as well.
She found that to help the vinyl slide beneath the foot of the machine more easily she sprinkled it with Talcum.
Normal seams and then top sewed (I think)
Patsy says her biggest problem was manoeuvring the bulk of the material under a domestic machine, but swear words and patience paid off. She also said, "It was frustrating, awkward but on completion, very satisfying"
She used about a "90" needle and upholstery thread. Gutterman apparently make a good one.
Take a pattern from the old vinyl, allow for stretching over the years and give it a go.
Regards
Glen

[dullbird]

Thanks mate very helpful info

[Lotz-A-Landies]

If you have a sewing machine with a powered foot usually used for leather it makes sewing vinyl a lot easier as the upper fabric is moved at the same rate as the lower one reducing the puckering.

Also if not using the original latex Dunlopillow cushions you need to consider the type of foam you will use. The pale yellow foam is low density, the green medium density and the grey the highest density. A lot of auto trimmers will use the green but I feel the grey is a better option.

I recently replaced the foam in my FFR and used a combination of the 40mm extra high density blue as a base then 3 wedges of grey (20mm->0mm) to form the basic shape, topped with 50mm grey, with a 20mm green going from the base at the front up over the top then down the back to the base. All glued together with the spray glue you get form Clark Rubber etc.

Having driven to Corowa 2009 on the original too soft foam I found the replacement foam an excellent improvement for the Corowa 2010 drive.

Diana

[dullbird]

Hi Diana

the seats I have (I got 2 sets) are in really good nic I just want to recover them

[Sideroad]

Patsy did a bloody good job too, but when I asked for a set I got the impression that hell may freeze over first
I think the hard part is making it look factory with even and straight stitches.
Nathan

Oh and how is the new S1?

My wife did the seats on two of our S2as and is currently doing the seats on the S1.
I don't think she found it that hard, but then again if I can get her on to a computer there could be a slightly different story.


A reasonable sewing machine of course is the key to the operation plus an experienced operator helps as well.
She found that to help the vinyl slide beneath the foot of the machine more easily she sprinkled it with Talcum.
Normal seams and then top sewed (I think)
Patsy says her biggest problem was manoeuvring the bulk of the material under a domestic machine, but swear words and patience paid off. She also said, "It was frustrating, awkward but on completion, very satisfying"
She used about a "90" needle and upholstery thread. Gutterman apparently make a good one.
Take a pattern from the old vinyl, allow for stretching over the years and give it a go.
Regards
Glen

[akelly]

I thought there used to be a "re-trim kit" for the series seats - I was sure that Exmoor trim had them, but I just looked at their site and couldn't see it - was I dreaming?

Maybe you could try a few of the UK/US based landy parts people to see if you can get kits? I think that would be easier that having to sew your own!

Cheers,

Adam

[zulu Delta 534]

Patsy did a bloody good job too, but when I asked for a set I got the impression that hell may freeze over first


Oh and how is the new S1?

I'm not going to tell you Nathan, you will have to bring the new bride over and have a look for yourself one day!

As for buying a set of covers from overseas, well if that is your cup of tea, go for it. But if you talk to my wife about the seats she did, you will easily detect how much self satisfaction she got out of doing it herself, and in my humble opinion, that's worth quids.
Regards
Glen

[ezyrama]

My wife did the seats on two of our S2as and is currently doing the seats on the S1.
I don't think she found it that hard, but then again if I can get her on to a computer there could be a slightly different story.


A reasonable sewing machine of course is the key to the operation plus an experienced operator helps as well.
She found that to help the vinyl slide beneath the foot of the machine more easily she sprinkled it with Talcum.
Normal seams and then top sewed (I think)
Patsy says her biggest problem was manoeuvring the bulk of the material under a domestic machine, but swear words and patience paid off. She also said, "It was frustrating, awkward but on completion, very satisfying"
She used about a "90" needle and upholstery thread. Gutterman apparently make a good one.
Take a pattern from the old vinyl, allow for stretching over the years and give it a go.
Regards
Glen

That's an absolutely brillant effort, I have never seen a more professional job even from an expert motor trimmer. You should be extremely proud of your wife's dedication and skill. (Do you think I sucked up enough to ask for a favour when I get to that stage of Ralph's rebuild??)

Cheers Ian