Hi Guys. I am replacing the vinyl seat covers in my 57 T-Bird. After taking out the seat and the back rest cardboard and exposing the staple & hog ring fastening, I think its something I may be able to tackle. I am not replacing the sponge as it is in very good condition. The seat covers are all pre sewn kits. The application of the seat covers do not appear to be complicated. Has any one tried this job? Any tips? Is this best lefrt to a professional?



Thanks

I own an upholstery shop, so let me tell you that you don't have to be technically inclined to do this job.



Remember to leave the covers in a warm place over night(like your house) so you can work with. Cold seat vinyl is hard to stretch.



Take your time and don't try to force the covers into place. Aftermarket seat cover generally don't fit well. Some are too tight and others are too loose.



If you prefer to let an upholstery shop do the work for you, it would take the work off your hands and about $200.00 to $300.00 out of your pocket.



Good luck and let me know if you have any problems.

Jeff Leydig
Stallions Auto Interiors
Stearns, Ky. USA

I did my T Bird.It did not come out Concours quality.O.K. for a driver and my first experience.

A heat gun is nice for fit.Also had to make a bunch of different length "hooks" to pull the material in place while simultainiously clamping the hog rings.

Use plenty of hog rings on the seat insert (everywhere).I didnt use enough and my seat insert is slightly popped up in one section.If you think its properly clamped-add another 1/2 dozen.

As I said ,not Concours but O.K. for driver.

I say go for it.Great learning experience.

I wont do my show car when I get to that point but I would do another driver quality seat.

Oldmics

Thanks Jeff for the response.

Your price is excellent. Here in Canada I have been quoted $500 and up.

The seat covers I received are not the slip-over cover style but are the flat sheet style but have the fitted formed rounded pocket corners at top of the back rest and the front of the seat bolster which aid in getting the seat cover on square and correctly. Currently the seat back vinyl is stapled along the top and sides and hog rings hold the flap that folds backwards and secure to wire mesh in behind the back rest. On the seat bolster the vinyl is stapled to a tack strip along the front and sides and hog rings secure to the bottom of the seat bolster. I assume I would work from the centre outward when stapling. I guess my only concern how to gauge how hard do you pull the material to stretch it?

I do have a manual heavy-duty staple gun and I would need to get hog ring pliers and rings- anything else?



I still may have to bite the bullet and get it done

I should add this car is a highly restored car-once a concourse show car.

However there is a great deal of pride when you do the work yourself.



Thanks Jeff

Back in the 50's gas stations sold seat covers like Arthur Fullmer that were car specific and fit pretty good. Taking the seat sometimes took longer than putting on the covers. When you pull them to stretch them, you can get the feel of it in a hurry. Either they will be too loose or they will wrinkle where you over stretch them. The nice thing is, you get a second chance. I few extra holes from a misplaced hog ring won't show. All you really need is hog ring pliers and hog rings. I see them really cheap on eBay all the time.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

Nat,



FYI: There was a two-issue series on DYI T-Bird seat cover installation in the "EarlyBird" CTCI mag a few years back. I actually considered tackling the job myself when I recently bought leather covers for my 55, but was discouraged by others who had tried it. All I can say is, the upholsterer who I hired (work turned out pretty good, but not perfect) told me it was the hardest seat job he ever did!

Vinyl is likely easier (?).

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

I'll never do another one- took WAY too long to finally get it properly fitted. Hog rings and pliers can be had by visiting your nearby TSC (Tractor Supply Co. /Duck

BOO- YA!!!

Nat,

You are welcome. I hope that everything works out for you on this project. Like they said it is not the easiest job to do, but if you take your time and watch what you are doing you'll be fine. A lot of people rush on upholstery jobs and there is where they get in trouble. I might take an extra day to do a job, but the job comes out with a professional look.

Good luck, and send me a PM if you need to.

Jeff Leydig
Stallions Auto Interiors
Stearns, Ky. USA

Classic auto supply , (Casco) sells a bunch of dvd's on "how to's", I have their "How to recover your Ford Thunderbird Seats " .....it gives you a lot of good tips and would take away some of the do-it-yourself fear factor. Of course, I haven't done any upholstery myself,but the video makes it look doable.   www.classicbird.com   Barry

I got some seat covers from some guy on Ebay that was like the ones used back in the 50's and 60's. They fit pretty good and were a lot better than the ones on there. Instead of using hog rings I used tie wraps. They worked fine.

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL