70 Challenger Seat Cover Installation

[kent_goins]

Just finished installing my Legendary front and rear seat vinyl covers. They came out looking very nice but is not a job I ever want to do again. This is a difficult task at best which would seem to lend itself to some type of jig/fixture for the seat frame and adjustable lever arms around the perimeter with knuckles to slowly stretch the seat cover over the foam and frame so it could be hog ringed into place.

Does anyone know if such a semi automation tool exists to install seat covers? I watched the Legendary vids and they are all manual install. Seems like a universal fixture could be made to handle most automotive situations. I wonder how it was done at the factory in the old days. It has taken me almost 2 days to recover from just the rear seat back vinyl install. There has to be a better way.


Kent G.

[Cuda Cody]

Once you do a few of them they get pretty fast to do by hand.  There are some tips and tricks that help too.  It's on my list to make a how-to video on how to recover a seat.

[Sleepychallenger]

Experience is really best. Ive done it 4 times now and it gets easier.

[kent_goins]

Cody that would be great!!! Yes more tips and tricks. Not sure how you would get past the massive stretch work it takes to get that cover over the frame corners. I was sweating and literally dripping blood all over the seat from wire and hog ring cuts. The cover has to be stretched to fit. Maybe compressing the seat frame somewhat would allow the extra room.

KG

[kent_goins]

Cody, One more thing...If you make vids. Please do both front and rear seats and seat backs. Legendary only does a front seat video. I duplicated their efforts shown on the video but was still a fair amount of work. And it looked like the Legendary guy was struggling a bit as well. Cant imagine him doing that as a full time job. Would be worn out in 10 years.

Just as a reference time frame...It took two of us 3 to 4 hours to get the rear seat back covered and hogged into place. It took two of us 2 hours to get one front seat back covered and hogged into place.

KG

[Cuda Cody]

   Sounds good.  I'll cover both fronts and backs when I do the video.  I just did a big batch of them so it might be a bit before I do another run of them.

[soundcontrol]

Videos would be very nice! Have some to do later. I did it once and found it very difficult, I was living in California at the time and realized afterwards that maybe I should have left them out in the sun for a while before I did it. The heat might have helped a bit.

[Shane Kelley]

The biggest help you can get is the sun. Makes all the difference in the world. I like to lay the covers on a board in the sun so they get really soft. Then go in and start stretching them on. They have a lot more give when they are hot. Once I have them hog ringed on then it's back out to the sun they go. I let them get good and hot again. Then I can make minor adjustments to things like lining up the stitching and outer welting. Bring them back in and they tighten up real nice. You try putting them on cold and it can be really tough to get them to stretch enough without pulling the seams apart.

[kent_goins]

  Those seats look great! Mine came out similar but I think more blood letting involved on my part. I was afraid to use too much sun for fear of shrink although I did use some. Was still not easy. I look forward to Cody's videos! 

KG

[RUNCHARGER]

It really isn't that bad after you're done a few. Worst part is cutting the old hog rings out. Stretching is good as that will ensure the skins are tight. When you use old foam and they install easily is when you have to rethink and add some foam.

[jimynick]

In the old days we used to use baby powder inside the covers to help them slip on easier. It's still a PITA no matter which way you do it though. A GOOD pair of sidecutters is essential when dealing with old hog rings and you can buy the horizontal jawed ones that can nip close to an edge and that also helps. 

[soundcontrol]

The biggest help you can get is the sun. Makes all the difference in the world. I like to lay the covers on a board in the sun so they get really soft. Then go in and start stretching them on. They have a lot more give when they are hot. Once I have them hog ringed on then it's back out to the sun they go. I let them get good and hot again. Then I can make minor adjustments to things like lining up the stitching and outer welting. Bring them back in and they tighten up real nice. You try putting them on cold and it can be really tough to get them to stretch enough without pulling the seams apart.

Whats the best way to heat them up if you don't have access to the sun at the moment? Heat gun, hair dryer?

Torch 

[Shane Kelley]

The professionals that do it for a living use a garment steamer.

[Cuda Cody]

Heat gun will work, just be careful.  A hairdryer takes longer, but is safer.

[kent_goins]

Just want to say thanks again to everyone for their responses to all my posts...very very helpful and once again, this board rocks. My car is coming together faster and more correct via the help from this forum. Thanks Cody for your support and look forward to the vids!!!!

KG