seat recover....DIY or have a pro do it?

[1972F100]

Looking for comments on redoing my seat. Options are either try it myself or have a shop do it.

The kits from LMC are around 2 bills. I think I can it recovered professionally for 3 - 4 bills. Cost isn't the big concern...it's if doing it yourself will produce a qulaity product, even if you've never done a seat before.


In writing this, I think I've answered my own question...

[robroy]

Good day 1972F100!

Here's the thread covering my truck's seat: #50's bench done with a foam base and bright yellow vinyl!

My seat had extensive work done to it including converting it to the modern foam seat cushion style. It really transformed it!

As to your question about whether or not you can do a great job without having done it before, I'm not sure. I'm certain that a very good upholstery guy could do a better job than a beginner, but I'm not sure about an average upholstery guy.

It also depends on whether you're going for a seat material that they even make pre-cut for your bench seat. In my case, I was going for a very different material (as you can see in the photo).

Robroy

[fordman]

alot of it depends if the springs are good or bad. and how good those covers fit from lmc.

[garner67]

I had mine done professionally. I had to shop around. The first quote I got was $700! However, I found someone else local from a recommendation, and his price was only $300 bucks. For that price, I was able to pick out the materials and sewing pattern. My original bench seat was in decent condition, but the upholstery guy installed new foam and repaired a couple springs.

Here's couple of pics.



detail close up


Since the cost of the upholstery kit on LMC was over $200 + shipping, I thought it was better to let a pro do it for $300.

[robroy]

Good afternoon Mike,

That is beautiful!!! I think you got a great deal on that.

Robroy

[dssco]

I just finished mine with the NPD seat cover kit a few months ago. I found some broken springs and replaced them with some I cut out of a seat at the junkyard. The perimeter wire on the lower seat was broken so I fixed it by splicing it with some brake tubing and JB weld. At first I tried to replicate the little wires that are woven into the burlap between the springs and the foam but gave up and just hog-ringed some canvas around the frame perimeters. With the price of the cover, new foam and small things here and there I have a little more than 300 bucks into it. I also cleaned up all the metal and seat tracks and shot them with rustoleum. Am I happy with it? yes, although it was a pain stretching the covers over new foam and repaired springs, always afraid the cover would rip. The seams on the top and bottom are off about a half inch, but I'm the only one who has noticed it. Kind of weird the first time I sat on it, the rear veiw mirror was way off. I say if you have the time and patience and a good upholstery shop nearby, go for it!

[Darren]

In answer to your original question:

Recovering a truck bench seat is probably one of the easiest jobs you're likely to do when renovating one of these old rigs. Whatever you spend on material, you can figure at least that amount saved in labor costs, and you know what that means...more money for parts

[Darren]

In answer to your original question:

Recovering a truck bench seat is probably one of the easiest jobs you're likely to do when renovating one of these old rigs. Whatever you spend on material, you can figure at least that amount saved in labor costs, and you know what that means...more money for parts