Seat Refurbishment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 337
Likes: 6
Seat Refurbishment
I'll be picking up my '83 Euro
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...d-staus-3.html
from Mr. Merlin in a couple of weeks. He's done a fantastic job and I am very excited to drive it. As you can see in one of the interior photos the seat bolster/pleats have come unsewn. What are some experiences with repair of this common problem and seat refurbishing in general? Treat leather with Letherique/Lexol first and then have a local shop remove the covers and resew? What is the likelihood that an upholstery shop may damage the connections when R and Ring the seats and covers? thanks for your answers, Rod
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...d-staus-3.html
from Mr. Merlin in a couple of weeks. He's done a fantastic job and I am very excited to drive it. As you can see in one of the interior photos the seat bolster/pleats have come unsewn. What are some experiences with repair of this common problem and seat refurbishing in general? Treat leather with Letherique/Lexol first and then have a local shop remove the covers and resew? What is the likelihood that an upholstery shop may damage the connections when R and Ring the seats and covers? thanks for your answers, Rod
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 589
From: West Chester, PA
Rod,
I just went through a complete dis-assembly of three different sets of front seats, and the refurbishment of a set of supple leather upholstery from one, then applying that refurbished/refinished/redyed (different color) leather to one of the frames. It is doable, but it takes LOTS of time. I did not have to have any pieces re-sewn, but once they are off, I'm sure a shop could do that. I wouldn't want to trust the dis-assembly of the seats to a shop that hasn't done it before. And - if they have done it, they might choose not to do it unless they are paid lots of $$$. I can't count the hours I had in doing my project, but I wanted the experience, and my local automobile upholstery guy said he wouldn't touch dis-assembling/re-assembling them.
On the other hand, Roger Tyson has a guy in Dallas area who did this VERY economically for me about 6 years ago when I had him install black piping on a set of silver grey seats.
By the way, I decided wire ties were a much more usable process for re-assembling the center sections to the frames than hog rings by an amateur like me!
Good luck,
Gary KNox
I just went through a complete dis-assembly of three different sets of front seats, and the refurbishment of a set of supple leather upholstery from one, then applying that refurbished/refinished/redyed (different color) leather to one of the frames. It is doable, but it takes LOTS of time. I did not have to have any pieces re-sewn, but once they are off, I'm sure a shop could do that. I wouldn't want to trust the dis-assembly of the seats to a shop that hasn't done it before. And - if they have done it, they might choose not to do it unless they are paid lots of $$$. I can't count the hours I had in doing my project, but I wanted the experience, and my local automobile upholstery guy said he wouldn't touch dis-assembling/re-assembling them.
On the other hand, Roger Tyson has a guy in Dallas area who did this VERY economically for me about 6 years ago when I had him install black piping on a set of silver grey seats.
By the way, I decided wire ties were a much more usable process for re-assembling the center sections to the frames than hog rings by an amateur like me!
Good luck,
Gary KNox
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 337
Likes: 6
Thanks Gary, I worked 3 summers as a seat cover installer when I was in college so I feel (at least used to feel) competent with hog rings. Did you grease the motors and cables? How do the seats unbolt? Rod
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
From: Sandy, Ut.
You are buying my cars twin only I have a dark green interior, hope we get to hang out one day and do a photo shoot. Stan is a great guy and does top notch work enjoy the car and congrats.
Andy
83 Euro 5-speed
Andy
83 Euro 5-speed
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,945
Likes: 322
From: Kaukauna Wisconsin
When taking the bolts out of the front, reach under the rail to keep the backing plate from falling into the frame. If you drop it, a small pair of needlenose pliers or a hemostat, tweezers, and a small pick are handy for fishing it out (Guess how I know that
) The back ones will stay more or less in place. Your car looks great, too.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 589
From: West Chester, PA
Rod,
Yes, I cleaned EVERYTHING and re-lubed everything as well. I have now had 6 seats with electric lumbar, and every one of them has been terribly noisy for the in/out adjustments. That's the only remaining 'issue' when I was all done. I think the transmissions they used for this adjustment were just crummy ones!!
Gary--
Yes, I cleaned EVERYTHING and re-lubed everything as well. I have now had 6 seats with electric lumbar, and every one of them has been terribly noisy for the in/out adjustments. That's the only remaining 'issue' when I was all done. I think the transmissions they used for this adjustment were just crummy ones!!
Gary--
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 18
From: Marysville WA
Run them all the way forward, 4 bolts in back (2 each side) Run them all the way back, 2 bolts in front.
When taking the bolts out of the front, reach under the rail to keep the backing plate from falling into the frame. If you drop it, a small pair of needlenose pliers or a hemostat, tweezers, and a small pick are handy for fishing it out (Guess how I know that
) The back ones will stay more or less in place.Your car looks great, too.
