Recovering Early Porsche 911 912 356 Seats

[ppanagis@gmail.]

Hey Guy's,

I decided to work on a project this summer that I wanted to share with you all. I am recovering 67 912 seats for my 69 912/911t.

***BTW this is my first time so if i misstate anything please let me know!***

I split the project into Different Steps ...

1st step - the Frame

The seats I purchased were in fairly good shape but when I started to dismantle the seats I noticed that after 44 years some rust was coating the frame. The seats out of the factory were not coated with any paint on the inside. I took some time just to sand that down and coat the inside frame with primer. I used Tremclad because the primer is apparently. At the same time it’s a good idea to see if the frame is straight and know out any dents etc…

Painting pictures-




http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads19/DSC027391316183953.jpg[/img]

[ppanagis@gmail.]

Second step - Horse Hair , Foam and Burlap O rings.

These seats originally had a coating of horse hair mixed with glue that was really an amazing way to provide support. If at all possible try to preserve the Horse hair if it is in good to reasonable shape. In my case the lower seat was in great shape and the Back rest horse hair was in pieces. Over the years they may have been recovered and foam added for strength. I suggest all that be removed and start over.

I purchased .. Burlap at my local material store, 1- 3/4 foam and 1/4 inch foam. Spray adhesive. Also I noticed that most recovers put a soft material on the lumbar area of the seats so I purchased something not sure what it is called. What I find is that it holds the sides together nicely and even seams like it will protect the foam when rubbing occurs.







I then got to work on th back of the seats.

For this i needed new o rings. This step is important because it really holds the seat togther. Now for the foam. I suggest you buy new foam. I decided to cut my own foam and am having issues with the fit of it But it is reall up to you... I will illustrate how it all went together on my next post.





to be continued...

[DaveE]

I'm enjoying this. I have a couple early seats I want to re-do.
Thanks!

[Evans, Marv]

Great project. I'm interested in following it to see the results. I have a pair of '67 seats I'm going to sell that are in good shape except that the covers aren't stock but a regular tuck & roll style. I wonder how the frames for that time compare strength wise with the later ones. You're definitely redoing them from the beginning.

[ppanagis@gmail.]

Hello again...

Again just reminding every body that this is my first attempt at recovering seats...

I used 1 3/4 medium density foam. To cut i really recommend a professional cutting tool or you can do like i did and use a electric kitchen knife. Funny but it really does the job

First step cutting the foam.



Once you have the shape you need you will need to make to cuts for the lumbar support. Mine were about 4.5 inches in from the outside edge and an inch deep.





Next the foam need to be place on top of the seat back "CUTS FACING TOWARD THE BACKREST" this is important because you want the lumbar to curve out wards slightly.
You will now need to cut a long piece of Burlap about 10 inches wide. This will be placed on the center foam piece to help with forming the foam to the back rest.





Next I added a half inch foam to the sides of the lumbar support to help keep that support you need on the sides of the seats. Basically spray clue the pieces and cut them to the correct shape after they are glued.

[ppanagis@gmail.]

Now were ready for the leather covers.
FIRST THING IS ALWAYS PUT PLASTIC OVER THE FOAM. Any plastic bag will do. If not your in for a difficult time.


Next slide the seat cover over. depending on what you purchased if you have the plastic bag there it should be relatively easy.



Finally staple the edge to the bottom piece of wood originally on the seats. make sure you keep that piece while restoring you seats. It has a grove on it that was made to guide where you staple gun the leather and gives it that perfect shape... here is what I mean




Next time I'll assemble the hardware....

[la2mtl]

Wow. I can't believe those are the same seats! Great work!

-Steve

[ppanagis@gmail.]

Thanks!

[ppanagis@gmail.]

Hey everyone .. had a great time restoring the seats they came out looking fantastic.




I am however looking for something different for my car. I tried them out and the feel was less sporty than i wished. My next project will be Recarro sports seats.

These are for sale if anyone is interested....

[bavaria911]

Sent you a PM on seat repairs.

[uncle_scott]

Good work! I have decided that interior work is some of the most frustrating difficult work I have done on my cars. Imperfections show, and it takes a level of patience that takes a lot of time to cultivate. These seats look great, I am excited to see how you go about the Recaro restoration!

[ppanagis@gmail.]

Thanks uncle Scott ... you are correct about the level of frustration i'll document my next project...

[Paulporsche]

Great job and writeup!

[ratpiper71T]

Ppanagis@gmail.com, fantastic job. Not only did you beat me to making a thread restoring these, but you- like I have been planning- turned them into a bench. You sir, are the man- because you think like me. For the frame, I was thinking about Jain 2x4s and trim stock- where did you get that frame?

Also, did you have to replace or retie any springs on the box? I haven't disassembled mine yet, but I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to flop down like it does.

I also have op'ed for something more sporty(I'll be showing that off pretty soon)

Great job, really.

[ppanagis@gmail.]

Originally Posted by ratpiper71T

Ppanagis@gmail.com, fantastic job. Not only did you beat me to making a thread restoring these, but you- like I have been planning- turned them into a bench. You sir, are the man- because you think like me. For the frame, I was thinking about Jain 2x4s and trim stock- where did you get that frame?

Also, did you have to replace or retie any springs on the box? I haven't disassembled mine yet, but I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to flop down like it does.

I also have op'ed for something more sporty(I'll be showing that off pretty soon)

Great job, really.

Thanks ratpiper71t... no i did not have to replace any springs just the back rest rubber rings that was it for mine.

[fastnipper]

HI Im about to recover some seats for my 1968 targa Can anybody advise me where the best place to get the covers are please.
Cheers
simon

[ppanagis@gmail.]

Our host

[zippy_gg]

You mentioned fitting a plastic bag on the foam prior to putting the new cover on the seat.
Does that plastic bag stay on or did I miss the step where you remove it? Thx!

[ppanagis@gmail.]

Yes it stays on... This step is really important

[KNS]

The benefit of having leather is that it breathes and won't feel "sweaty" compared to vinyl. If you leave the plastic bag under the leather how is it going to let the leather breathe?