Retrimming Defender Seats, is it as easy as the video shows

[Floydo]

Hi
I'm keen to retrim my front Tdi Defender Seats with the Britopart kit.
I have watched plenty of videos, which make it look easy. Is it really that easy? Any tips tricks? What spray glue do you use?
Thanks

[130camper]

I have done this twice, once in 2010 and again in 2020 using the Exmoor Trim Kits. I don't like doing upholstery so took the slow approach.
First one I did not have video to watch only printed word and photos, second time had videos to watch.

Just check the next stage each time particularly when it comes to the gluing bits.

The glue the first time was easy to use as it was not fast setting. The second time I could not buy what I wanted and settled on, as far as I was concerned, the wrong glue. Very limited supply of this stuff in my rural area.

So the glue NOT to use is 3M Foam Fast 74. The description on the lower part of the tin high lighted in orange said it all. Strength "High", Speed "Fast".
If the same brand had high lighted Strength "Med or High" and Speed "Slow" it would have suited me much better.

The day was a bit warm so the glue stuck FAST so I was pleased I had a reasonable idea of what I was about to do.

I have been pleased with the end result both times.

When it came to be time to do the headlining and seats in the 1954 Citroen I restored, I had no intention of doing it myself.
I did do all the sound proofing and carpets.

Someone who comes recommended by car club members is not always the best, so I found out.

Andrew

[Bazzle218]

I have done it twice with good results. I have a tablet so I watched the video. I then rewatched and paused it at each section and watched that part again then completed that section. 2 years and still no issues. Baz

[lebanon]

I have done it twice, very easy job.

Just be gentle on the plastic pins on the sides of the seat base in case they are not provided with the refurbishment kit.

[lebanon]

I have done it twice, very easy job.&nbsp;<br><br>Just be gentle on the plastic pins on the sides of the seat base in case they are not provided with the refurbishment kit.

[Fattima]

i've done it too. Used an Exmoor kit, added new foam too as mine was pretty too far gone on the drivers side.
Really easy if you follow the videos of how to do it, bit fiddly in parts but not too difficult.
I found some a couple of the tack welds that old the seat pan to the frame had fractured, bent some metal tabs to strengthen the join and welded them back together. Very easy and I'm a terrible welder.

[Ukalipt]

I did a full refurb of my two front seats in my old 300Tdi
Not a difficult job but worth taking your time and getting it right.

I wire brushed the entire frame back, tack welded the plate as mine had also cracked [like @fattima]
For the base re-clothing, I found starting from the middle at the front of the seat when fitting was a must. I had to redo my first one because it wasn't aligned correctly.

Spray adhesive: I used Sika 350g Sprayfix.

Unfortunately I don't have any good pics of the final seats and have sold the 300Tdi since

seat-refurb01.jpg
seat-refurb02.jpg
seat-refurb03.jpg

[Fattima]

Here are some before and after pics of mine. When I bought the defender the seat was in this state and had been stuffed with foam pipe lagging!
Looking at the pic it reminded me, silicon spray helps slide some of the trim on, this is mentioned in the instructions.
20210821_092822_2.jpg20210821_143100_2.jpg

[Patrick110td5]

I need to redo the foam in mine, can I just buy the foam and glue or will I have to tear apart the fabric and buy a whole Retrim kit?

[Don 130]

I need to redo the foam in mine, can I just buy the foam and glue or will I have to tear apart the fabric and buy a whole Retrim kit?

Patrick, you would not tear apart the fabric, but undo the clips that hold it to the frame. As for the supply of foam only, I have no idea if it's available as a separate item, but an auto upholsterer may be able to advise you.
Don.