C3 Seat Foam

[Craig H.]

Hi

I have watched the Corvette America videos on recovering seats with new foam.

We are at the point of adding the extra bit of form at the top rear of the seat near the release button.

My 71 has lap sash belts so I have the extra side bracket.

Do I leave the bracket off then glue the foam on and then cut out for the bracket to attack or attach bracket first and make a hole in foam ?

Also should there be any foam on top of the edges of the release button and seat belt bracket or do they just get leather over them. ?

Thanks in advance

[Alan S.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

Hi Craig,
I installed the foam, cover, and trim piece that contains the slot the shoulder belt passes through.
I marked the position of the trim piece on the back of the seat and the line I wanted to cut in the vinyl.
Then I removed the trim piece and carefully cut the cover.
For the hole in the front side of the seat I left the 'flap' in place as it was on the original.
Then I cut just enough foam out to get the belt through and put the trim piece back in place.
Here are a couple pictures that may help. As you can see I had the cover on and off several times thus the picture showing the cut 'flap' but with the trim bezel removed.
Regards,
Alan

Front




Rear

[Craig H.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

Thanks Alan, great pictures as normal.

I tried rolling the cover over the top of the frame with new foam this morning.

Should have waited for my son to come home and help as half way on the cover ripped !!!!!

Was not happy but may pay to get the backs done as the covers are so tight to roll over the frame once the centre trim piece is bolted in.

Am following the Corvette America Videos but... http://www.corvetteamerica.com/video/70_75scInstall/

Will call CA tonight Australia time and see if I can but just one cover.

[Alan S.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

Hi Craig,
Ah jeez, that's really too bad!!!
The top of the seat back is VERY tight and difficult!
Since you bought the covers from CA and they're not right and lefts I'd think they'd sell just one.
Perhaps you could start sobbing while talking to them.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

My list of things learned while working on my 71 is long, but mostly things NOT too do.

[Craig H.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

Hi Alan

I spoke with Jay at Corvette America this morning and they can ship me just the seat back piece i need and 1 piece of foam that i will need to cut off to start again.

Matt and i will try the second one before I order though just in case.

Will leave the cover in the sun for a lot longer this time though.

[Bill C.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

hey --


just a little fyi.
i have done several sets of these ranging from 1969 and 1970 -1972 seats.
Always using CA covers.

Put a butt load of talcum powder (baby powder) on the foams, frames and (importantly) inside the covers.

those suckers will slide on like a greased pig on ice.....

[Pete B.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

Something I did on mine which worked GREAT was I went to a dry cleaners and got 2 plastic bags that they cover dresses in. Put that on and then the cover just slipped on. I left it on and you would never know it was there.

Pete

[Craig H.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

Thanks for the great tips on this.

I am following the Corvette America Videos method of fitting.

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/video/70_75scInstall/

1) Fit cover with wires etc, then fit to foam.
2) Attach cover to frame with hog rings
3) Fit seat belt trim piece to top of seat

3) fit extra piece of foam
4) roll cover over seat.



Is this the best way ?

I have seen some comments that they only just lightly tighten the trim piece, trim the extra foam on back to allow the speed nuts to be tightened after the seat cover has been fitted... thoughts ?

[Craig H.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

I think I will get motor trimmer around to help finish the backs once i get the new cover. that way i can still be involved but have some help,

[Don L.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

Something I did on mine which worked GREAT was I went to a dry cleaners and got 2 plastic bags that they cover dresses in. Put that on and then the cover just slipped on. I left it on and you would never know it was there.

Pete

Bill, doesn't the powder eventually work its way through the cover and make a mess on the seat's surface, especially on a black Comfortweave seat?

I agree with Pete here. To REALLY make it easier, make sure the top end of the THIN bag is sealed up tight. Then bunch the open end of the bag up and hold it around the end of your shop vac, thereby compressing the foam inside the bag (vac barrier). While compressed, pull the cover down over the foam, set it where you think it needs to be and and release the vacuum. You might need to compress and release a couple times, adjusting the cover until you get it positioned as you want it. Once settled, reach up inside and pull the bag apart/out, removing it from the seat. If you don't do this, it may sound like you're sitting on a bag of potato chips each time you plant in the seat. I spent 20+ years in auto seat industry. This is basically how it's done in production.

Hope this helps.

[Craig H.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

Sounds like a I interesting option to compress the foam, but how do you get the bag on the foam with all the wire connectors running through it to the cover and seat frame ?

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

Bill, doesn't the powder eventually work its way through the cover and make a mess on the seat's surface, especially on a black Comfortweave seat?
.

Repro comfortweave is unfortunately repro one-piece-of-vinyl-pressed-to-look-like Comfortweave. There are no holes in it, so nothing can get through. I noticed this instantly when I had my 71 covers redone 15 years ago.

The only rreplacement Comfortweave I've seen with actual holes is on the "new" Firebirds over at the Lingenfelter Collection. I'd love to know where Ken got the insert material.

[Don L.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

Repro comfortweave is unfortunately repro one-piece-of-vinyl-pressed-to-look-like Comfortweave. There are no holes in it, so nothing can get through. I noticed this instantly when I had my 71 covers redone 15 years ago.

The only replacement Comfortweave I've seen with actual holes is on the "new" Firebirds over at the Lingenfelter Collection. I'd love to know where Ken got the insert material.

Hi Patrick. I am aware that reproduction Comfortweave is not actually woven. I would be concerned that the powder would leach through the sew needle holes on all seams and would then get imbedded into the "A" surface of the seat cover. This would be a special challenge with Comfortweave covers, thus my reference.

Interesting comment on Ligenfelter's ability to get woven inserts. I'll have to check it out next time I'm there. I'll ask Ken if he's there.

[Bill C.]

Re: C3 Seat Foam

the seats I have done all factory style leather ones.
I have not done a comfortweave seat yet.. :-)

I guess I should have quantified the amount of powder better.. LOL
I put a generous amount on the foam and inside covers but not so much it was falling out or anything...

So far the cars I did the seats in have not had any issues with powder leeching out.


I am liking the info about using a bag to compress the foam. I will try this next time...
Thanks for sharing that great info!!!!