Is seat recovering a potential DIY job?

jlandreth · 01-30-2009, 08:54 AM

If my 69 911 stays put,I'll eventually want to recover the front seats.Is this within the range of the average bonehead(me)? In the meantime,I'll continue to do a search.Thanks

KNS · 01-30-2009, 10:31 AM

I've seen a few on here that have done it themselves and they have turned out fantastic, and a few that have looked, well...

I have thought about doing my front seats someday too.

Mysterytrain · 01-30-2009, 10:51 AM

I usually don't comment on posted pix of re-cover jobs. What I notice is that the leather never seems to be pulled tight enough. I'm not sure if it is from ill fitting covers or from the DIY install. It might be caused by worn out seat cushions and padding. The jobs done by the pro's look it. ..my 2 cents!

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

I did the seats in my 69 about 7 years ago and it turned out great, I did get some 1/2 felt to re-pad some of the areas that were bad, I got them from Tony at Autosintl but I think he has his own shop now and turns out top notch products.

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

I have seen some guys that do a nice job and others that arent as nice....a lot depends on the condition of the foam and how patient you are at getting everything pulled tight. I paid to have my Recaros recovered. I wanted something a little different than most. I picked out the materials to be used...waited a few days....and was delighted with the results. Had them do my RS door panels at the same time....while I was waiting on the seats and door panels to be done it gave me time to get the RS carpet installed. It was worth every penney in my opinion

tomphot · 01-30-2009, 12:39 PM

I have a shop just down the street that did mine for me - when I looked at the low cost - paid $150 for 2 seats, I decided to get a professional job and it looks it.

PorscheGAL · PorscheGAL's Garage

I did these with my husband's help. The hardest part is pulling it down the back. A hair dryer worked really well to heat the leather and while the leather is warm pull tight. It is very easy if you take your time. It took us an afternoon to put these on.

the · 01-30-2009, 01:20 PM

Wow Stephanie, those looks great!

I agree with the poster above, most of the time people post DIY upholstery work, it looks, umm . . .

Zef · Zef's Garage

I've done it on my Carrera with a kit from Worlduph....The result is superb and the kit a world class one....It was my first experience at seat recovering and it was easy to do....!

bourgeois911 · 01-30-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zef

I've done it on my Carrera with a kit from Worlduph....The result is superb and the kit a world class one....It was my first experience at seat recovering and it was easy to do....!

Ditto except for the easy part. It took me around 8 hours but I think if I did it again I could do it in 2 or 3. They turned out great and Worlduph was a joy to work with.

tomphot · 01-30-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bourgeois911

Ditto except for the easy part. It took me around 8 hours but I think if I did it again I could do it in 2 or 3.

That's usually the case.
Whenever I enter into a project I'm unfamiliar with, I have to consider the cost vs time vs satisfaction factor.
Everyone has their own formula.

dlagerstrom · 01-30-2009, 05:34 PM

The older seats (lowback) are a little different than the high-back seats. they have some strapping and funky padding that often needs to be redone for a nice looking recover. It can't hurt to take a look under the skin to see what you are dealing with.

I have done it a number of times and find it gets easier with experience. Also looks better after your first attempt.

Autos International is my preference as they have always provided me with top-notch products.

good luck

Porsche_monkey · 01-30-2009, 07:56 PM

Two relevant comments:

1. I have removed the leather covers from my Volvo to replace the seat heater. It was easy, pull off the hog rings, peel back the leather and you are done. The leather went right back on and I used zip ties in place of hog rings. Easy, yes, but that is with a stretched seat cover.

2. I have been inside a Honda leather seat manufacturing facility. There is a LOT of manual labour, tweaking, pulling, stretching, etc. They also use a LOT of steam to heat the leather and get rid of wrinkles. But when they are done every seat is perfect.

I am sure you could do it, it will be time consuming.