re-upholster question

[JoeKan]

Can someone tell what is the best way to get your seats re-upholster--by doing it yourself or having it done for you? LMC has an upholster section in its magazine that states it gives you everything you need to do it yourself. I didn't see it mentioning foam for the seats, but fabric and wire and "hog pliers."
The reason I'm asking is I called an upholster today about this burb I'm checking out and he said it would be $1500 to re-upholster the 3 bench seats. Is this the going rate for it? And how hard would it be doing it myself?
Thanks for the help,
Joe

[Richard8971]

500 a pop per seat seems like allot, but you didn't say if you were pulling your seats out for him or if he was doing it and in what type of material. If he is pulling the seats out, then 500 each seems reasonable.

The advantage of having someone do your seats for you is that you have more to choose from in the colors and type of materials available.

When you do them yourself and you buy a pre-made kit, you just have to accept the colors and type of material they have on hand, not to mention if you mess something up, you foot the bill. It isn't hard so to speak, but time consuming. It isn't a throw together kind of job, you can mess up a pre-made kit in a hurry if you rush anything.

D

[70cst]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=351620

Hey JoeKan ... check out the lick. May be helpful.

[Daves72'GMC]

When I had my truck restored and had the new houndstooth cover put on my bench seat he charged me about $250 ,but he also put coil springs on the drivers and passengers side of the seat where the origional z shaped springs break,so they'll never break again, and he also put burlap material on the bottom and back side which makes it look very nice. He did a great job.It was definately worth it for him to do the job.I also paid him cash.

[piecesparts]

Are you willing to drive a little and possibly save. Those shops by the KC area are expensive and rightfully so, since they live in a high cost area. There is a guy in Cottonwood Falls, Ks that could do your job and maybe save you some dough. Joe Evans Upholstery Phone # 620-273-8557. This family has been upholstering car seats for many years and it is in their garage---NO OVERHEAD.

[Robertw]

i asked a guy how much he would charge me to do my a seat in my 71 f-rd he said 400 i said for a plain seat he said yeah so when i hurt my back and had back surgery i went back to school and took upholstery and then went for auto body and paint lol so i am trying to open a little shop to help all us little guys out

[mclairmo]

I would have a pro do it because if new foam or padding needs to be installed that is hard for ther DIY to achieve without experience. It needs to be glued on and shaved just right. It is an art form to get the pads/cushions to look and feel like new. However, if your pads are like new, then you can probably just use a repro cover and get it done yourself. That price seems hight to me but the last time I had one done was over 10 years ago. I think I paid $250 for a bench to be recovered with a custom made cover.

[Sinister]

Price seems high to me as well. Had my bench redone for $250. Fixed broken springs, new foam, and new custom vinyl.

[Robertw]

Originally Posted by mclairmo

I would have a pro do it because if new foam or padding needs to be installed that is hard for ther DIY to achieve without experience. It needs to be glued on and shaved just right. It is an art form to get the pads/cushions to look and feel like new. However, if your pads are like new, then you can probably just use a repro cover and get it done yourself. That price seems hight to me but the last time I had one done was over 10 years ago. I think I paid $250 for a bench to be recovered with a custom made cover.

this is true shaping foam isnt that easy