Seat/Back Cushions, To Replace or Not?

[Al Farris]

I am going to have my seats recovered on my 65 vette conv. driver. I have gotten prices from 3 different upholsterers and they all tell me that they prefer to use my old original seat foam (not sure if they are the originals) & that they will build/add or repair them as needed.
They all gaurantee me that the seats will be as good as new when they are done and will last for years to come.
I am confused in this matter because I always thought that the best way to do a seat recover would be to replace the cushions on the seat & back.
What should I do? Any suggestions?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Seat/Back Cushions, To Replace or Not?

Al,

It's just my opinion, but if they were mine I would send them as-is to Al Knoch, have him recover with new covers and new foam, and send them back. It will likely cost $200 + shipping to do that, but it will be the best $200 you spend. Don't ask how I know this.

Personally, I and others I have contact with have tried the local upholsterer route and have yet to save enough $ to make us happy with the poor job they did.

And with regards to the foam, with my seats the foam was drying up and crumbling out the bottom of the seat onto the floor after 30 years. Do you think yours is any better?

You can often get the best prices on Al Knoch's stuff through The Last Detail (www.tld-corvette.com). See if they can set up a package deal to have it all installed, too.

Patrick

[John R.]

Re: Seat/Back Cushions, To Replace or Not?

I agree with Patrick. I sent mey seats in last year and had the frames stripped and painted, new foam and burlap and leather seat covers. I was extremely well pleased with the results. While it was expensive to pack and ship the seats I was delighted I went this route.

[Bruce L.]

Re: Seat/Back Cushions, To Replace or Not?

John,
If you go this route, Will Al Knock repair your seat frame? Mine has some cracks in the corners that I would like welded up. I spoke with The Knocks at Carlisle last year and they had no way to do anything but recover at the show. I am going to Carlisle this year and would like to have mine done while I am there but feel it is important to have the seats function as well as they look.

Bruce

[Jim Hansen]

Re: Seat/Back Cushions, To Replace or Not?

Al: I just went through the same restoration, and decided to replace the seat covers, foam and springs. Apparently the springs were not painted at the factory and are prone to rust. I found a local upholster since the project didn't seem too complicated. He did a great job. What a difference in the seating comfort after all was done. Plus the rust smell was gone. When I ordered springs from LICS, they came unpainted. Hence I painted them first before installing them. Hope this helps, Jim.

[John R.]

Re: Seat/Back Cushions, To Replace or Not?

I didn't need any welding repair but agree that you would be better off making the repairs before recovering the seats. I only needed to repaint the frames. Are you driving the car to Carlisle? I removed the seats from my car and sent them in via UPS. I was very pleased with the job that was done. If you send the seats to Al Knoch in El Paso, perhaps they have someone local who can do the welding.

[Mark W.]

Re: Seat/Back Cushions, To Replace or Not?

I just went thru the same thing with my '66. I had bought new seat covers from Al Knoch, but not new foam. I listened to lots of very good advice from this board and purchased new foam, also from Al Knoch. I took everything to a local Corvette shop to do the work and couldn't be happier with the results. They did a great job and the new foam makes a world of difference. I can't imagine using the old foam and adding additional layers would be of the same quality or last as long as the new foam should.

[John H.]

Re: Seat/Back Cushions, To Replace or Not?

Old, flattened, and crumbly foam won't be rejuvenated by new covers - it only gets older, flatter, and crumblier. Spend the money for a truly quality job and let Al Knoch do it. Been there, done that - several times.