Replacing C1 seat uphostery

[Michael Jones]

The red bottom seat cushion in my '57 needs to be replaced. It has begun to split and is not taut like when it was new.

Some questions:

How big a problem is color matching? Will I have to replace the seatback on the affected side too? What about the other seat?

thx,

Mike

[Roy B.]

Re: Replacing C1 seat uphostery

You must buy a set to get the same die-lot or color. it's like buying carpet. Then have the guy who puts them on STEAM inject the rubber cushions to fill and tighten the seats like new again. Vary few owners know this and thier seats get wrinkled and break down fast.

[Mike M.]

Re: Replacing C1 seat uphostery

Roy: did the trim shop inject steam into the foam(rubber cushions) or just heat up the vinyl covers before pulling and hog ringing them into position?mike

[Roy B.]

Re: Replacing C1 seat uphostery

MIKE You inject the steam in to the rubber foam if the covers are on. It replaces the moister or life back in to the rubber. You can see it come back to life as they do it, nice and tight and firm . This should be done to any year Corvette. That is the reason you see C1's with a large gap at the top area back cushion where you could some times put your whole arm between the back cushion and soft top lid.( The covers are installed tight to match the warn down rubber cushion).
BUT the steam should be done BEFORE installing the covers to get the shape and size back first.
Look at my seats , the cushions were like most and now are full like they should be and tight at the top area as I stated. %90 of seats don't need to have the rubber cushions replaced as most owners do, because many owners don't know this. Hope I helped you out

[Mike M.]

Re: Replacing C1 seat uphostery

thanks , roy. how long does the moisturizer(steam heat) injected into the foam buns last?mike

[Roy B.]

Re: Replacing C1 seat uphostery

MIKE I did mine 20 years ago and drive the 55 all the time. It still feels and looks like I did it last week. The pic of the seats are the ones I had in my other 55 that I sold . Just put in new covers. The copper vett I got had rusted springs and torn rubber.

[Roy B.]

Re: Replacing C1 seat uphostery"mike"

Oh! by the way I'm older then you Ha Ha and now know why a young guy like you dint't know this.

[Roy B.]

Re: 53 to 55 seat foam

Here is a pic. of my back seat rubber foam before I put the covers on. The foam numbers inbossed read (SA-3199 #463841 and is called AirFoam) you can also see that the foam is moulded for the covers.They were NOS foam I had for both seats.

[Roy B.]

Re:steaming seat cushions

I had many people e-mail me about the seat cushions. So let me say again before you have your seat covers installed have it done, even if you are installing the covers.
FIRST have an Upholstery shop steam inject ( a needle adapter)your rubber cushions , which will bring them back to life,to the original shape and soften them up.
Or if your seats are loose or out of shape , take them to a upholstery shop , leaving the covers on and have them steam injected.
Most shops that install soft tops have a steamer which they use to get the wrinkles out after installing the material.
It works on any foam or rubber material that is hard or braking down,on any year Corvette or car.
These seats in my copper 55 are from my other 55 I sold which I had for over 25 years, I just changed the covers.
Many owners install thier own seat cover not knowing this and that is the reason you see poor fitting seats that haven't had this done, they try to get the covers tight on worn out of "shape" cushions.
Try it! you'll love it!

[John H.]

Re:steaming seat cushions

Most assembly plants don't build seats any more (they come in fully assembled, in car sequence, from outside suppliers like Lear, Johnson Controls, etc.), but when we did, there were "steamers" all over the "cushion room". We shot steam inside them after "skinning" the covers over the frame and foam, before pulling and hog-ringing the covers, to get the wrinkles out.

[Roy B.]

Re:steaming seat cushions John

John! nice to have another person back me up on this. Thanks