'73 Firebird - Knocking off the ugly

[raggedjim]

But, because I'm a fan of fat-bottomed girls, I added some padding. You know you like it!

[raggedjim]

Now one thing I did that people tend not to do anymore if they are using new foam is to add some carpet on the bottom of the seats to prevent the wire springs from cutting into the bottom foam.

They (who is they?) say the new foam will not cut like the old foam. Yeah, right. When has new stuff ever been as good as the old stuff??? Never! so if you are going through the trouble to do this add the carpet at the bottom. The old foam lasted for 40 years, the new foam will last ????.

[raggedjim]

I forgot to take any pics of the top stripped down ( I was kinda excited) but it came out okay. Hopefully some of the wrinkles will work out once the sun comes back out.

Now all I gotta do is the same thing on the drivers seat.

[Tempest67]

Nice Job

that looks great

I like the way you work (and think)


keep it going

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

Nice Job

that looks great

I like the way you work (and think)


keep it going

Thanks buddy, I will try to keep posting

[HO455]

Nice work! Way better than any velour seat. Yuck!

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by HO455

Nice work! Way better than any velour seat. Yuck!

Thanks, I agree!

I've been struggling today. This car is a 73 and has seat bolt spacing from side to side of about 13.5". all of the custom seats I robbed from the junkyard were from 74-75 firebirds and the spacings are 11.5"!!! So I spent most of the day cutting and welding just to get the seat in. It happens.

Now I just need to get the drivers seat recovered and installed.

[raggedjim]

Started on the drivers seat. I'll try to show some things I did to be able to use what I had without spending a ton of money on things.

The wire bottoms were rusty. I didn't really want to spend $60 to buy the repo's so I used Lowes safety flags to repair the old ones. They were $10 for 100 so savings was $50. And I have enuff left over to drive my friends crazy wondering why there are flags all over their yards.

[raggedjim]

I've already talked about replumping my seats using a steamer but I did spend $50 on 1" foam (2 rolls) to take the seats to the J'lo realm. New cushions are $190 each from reputable dealers. Savings $328!

[raggedjim]

I cut the foam for the set bottom a bit large in all directions. The center cut needs enough extra to tuck inside the crack of the seat ( I laughed when I typed that!)

[raggedjim]

Then spray the crap out of both the seat foam and the extra foam using your favorite upholstery glue. Let it set for 2.467 minutes and then stick it together.

[raggedjim]

Then kinda trim around the edges a bit. It's kinda a blending in of sorts that is difficult to explain but you get a feel for it after you have done it once or twice.

[raggedjim]

I also like to add foam to the center part of the seat. I think you could get away with not doing this, but I always do.

[raggedjim]

Then comes the fun part, hog ringing the seat cover to the foam.

I forgot to take pictures, I'm sorry, I was busy. This is not too bad of a job. Don't curse while you are doing this, you will need those curse words when you do the seat backs.

[raggedjim]

Next I added foam to the seat back cushions. I used a thinner foam for the center of the cushion and the 1" foam for the side bolsters. I'm not sure why, I just did.

Pretty much the same process as the bottom foam.

[raggedjim]

Glue the back part of the seat foam to the frame.

Next, run to Walmart and buy some Hostess Zingers. The only way to make a Twinkee better is to add icing. Do the self checkout thing so you can double bag the Zingers. Then use the bags on the seat back tops so sliding the cover over it is easier. I also sprinkle baby powder on the bag, it makes the cover slide and just smells good to me.

[raggedjim]

I forgot! Hogring the seat back cover to the back foam. I'm not going to say much about this. This is a family site and I don't want to get banned. Enjoy the process and good luck.

Once it is hogringged in then stretch the side over the sides of the foam. It takes some effort.

[raggedjim]

Next slide the seat frame into the seat cover and foam. Make sure you get it in there good or you will have a gap at the bottom. I forgot to take pics of this but once all the hogringing is done it is time to assemble the seat.

Not too shabby for an old man in Kentucky. Hopefully I will get it mounted tomorrow.

[raggedjim]

And I finally have them both installed. Ended up having to pull the passengers seat because the angle of the seat back didn't match the drivers side. Some cutting, welding, and adjusting got it pretty close.

[Tempest67]

Looks Great, and thanks for the pics with the 'How to'

I have never put a new cover on a seat, but you have me thinking I can, and Thank you for that.

[raggedjim]

You can do it. The horsecollar style seats are the hardest because of the deep inset wire you have to catch with the hogrings. Most standard seats aren't that tough.

[Tempest67]

Interior upholstery is a long way away for me, but I will give it a try when I get there.

Thanks for the tips

[KShortell]

Nice!

[HO455]

Wow! So much information jam packed in a few posts. Great work. I too may attempt some upholstery work now.

[joesscamaro]

The seats turned out nice! Thanks for the pointers, in the process.