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71RestoRod · 06-13-2005, 12:36 AM

Tried my hand at upholstery today. All that I can say about it is that those that do this for a living don't get paid nearly enough.

It took me most of the day to do one seat, and my hands are killing me from working the vinyl around. Probably won't get to the other bucket until next weekend... but this one will be enough for me to drive the Blazer this week. I just need to look through every box in the garage again to find all the hardware to bolt it in.....

mkundo · 06-13-2005, 12:55 AM

Where would I locate the hardware and rubber cusion material?
Thanks Dan

71jimmy · 06-13-2005, 01:45 AM

Sweet!

vtblazer · 06-13-2005, 06:37 AM

Brandy freakin' new!!

Nice work, looks great.

BobbyK · 06-13-2005, 06:41 AM

That repopped foam is pretty spendy$$$$$$.

I think about $250.00 for ONE replacement bucket seat foam.

Looks great though!

Nice job.

**Yukon Jack** · 06-13-2005, 03:16 PM

Hmmm, the buckets are actually great looking when not all torn up like mine are. You did a great job!

LUV2XCLR8 · 06-13-2005, 04:16 PM

Same color combo as mine

jay_shy · 06-13-2005, 06:23 PM

Where did you get the foam and covers from. Is the quality what you expected.

Just wanted to know because my buckets will need recovered and the drivers seat needs new foam.

Jason

By the way looks great.

orangeuavol · 06-13-2005, 09:43 PM

What' your address so I can send you my seats to do next

awsome job!

bouncytruck · 06-13-2005, 11:12 PM

Nice. Let us know what you would do to make it easier. I'd like to get new covers for my '72. What is on there is in good shape, but it isn't the original vinyl.

71RestoRod · 06-13-2005, 11:25 PM

Thanks for the props, guys.

Luv, I remember you saying your were going B&W... Nice combo!

BobK is right... the foam is seriously outrageou$. I had no intention of replacing them, but the wife insisted that I do. (No really... She said they smelled. I'm a pretty lucky guy!) I'm actually really glad that I did replace them. Once I was able to compare the new foams to the old you could clearly see that, while he old ones had good shape, they had lost all of their integrity. After going as long and far as I have with this rodstoration, it wouldn't have made sense to scrimp. Fact is though; I could have bought a new set of Corbeaus for what I have into these seats. I just really like the look of the originals.

You can get the foams from just about any of the vendors. There is only one manufacturer, so shop for price. I ended up getting the foams and seat covers from Brothers. They were the only vendor that I could find advertising a houndstooth rear seat cover for a Blazer. Looking back, I would bet that any of the board vendors could have set me up with the covers. As it turned out, I had to wait an eternity for them to be made to order anyway.

My driver's seat frame was bent into the "fully reclined" position and I didn't think that straightening it would last, so I went on the hunt for a good replacement. I finally found one. I still had to straighten them up and tack-weld several spots, but nothing too serious.

**burb71** · 06-14-2005, 03:33 PM

Nice job 71RestoRod!!!

It looks great........
But please tell me how you got all of the old foam and crap off of the frame?
I have a set that needs new foam, Clean rust from the frame and covers.
Can you give me some tips on how to do what you have done to your seat?

71RestoRod · 06-14-2005, 05:15 PM

Sure thing, Burb71...

Set the seat up on a firm working surface... and then proceed to rip all of the
covers, old foam and crap off of the frame. No, really... that's about it.

You can surgically remove the foams from the frame, which is what I did in the first place, thinking that I would reuse them. If that is the case, cut them from the back side of the frame, around the inside of the frame and carefully peel the foam around to the front. You will see where the springs, which are formed into the foam, are attached to the frame. The adhesive used on the foam "gives" if you pull on it just right. You can unhook the springs using a pair of vice-grips and then remove the foam and springs as a unit.

If you are going to use replacement foams, you'll have to rip the springs out of the old foams anyway.

I blasted the frames clean, spot welded where I thought they could use some reinforcement, and then coated them. You can get most of the foam off by "working" it, rolling it back and forth with your thumb.

I had two tools that seemed to work well for me. The first is a metal scribe, which is really just a 3/8" thick piece of steel with a point on the end. I used this to punch holes in the foams for the tie-backs. The other was a windshield installation tool, that I used to poke holes through the tie-back wire cover. Lastly, there are the hog-ring pliers from LMC that basically suk as much as the hog rings that came with it. Tiawan crap. They work, but If you can, go to an agricultural supply store and get a decent quality pair of hog ring pliers and rings.

Bouncy: The answer is to use lots of zip ties. What was the question?

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 06-15-2005, 09:34 PM

That look's sweet nice work..

06-13-2005, 12:36 AM	#1
71RestoRod Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 494	One down... two to go. Tried my hand at upholstery today. All that I can say about it is that those that do this for a living don't get paid nearly enough. It took me most of the day to do one seat, and my hands are killing me from working the vinyl around. Probably won't get to the other bucket until next weekend... but this one will be enough for me to drive the Blazer this week. I just need to look through every box in the garage again to find all the hardware to bolt it in..... Attached Images __________________ 71 Blazer / GMPP ZZ383 / MPFI / 700R4 / 4-Wheel Disk / Ground-up frame off almost completed resto-mod

06-13-2005, 12:55 AM	#2
mkundo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ca. Posts: 366	Great job Where would I locate the hardware and rubber cusion material? Thanks Dan

06-13-2005, 01:45 AM	#3
71jimmy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,084	Sweet! __________________ '71 Jimmy, 350, SM465, NP205, 2in Tuff Country lift, 33s on rallies, TBI, softtop and hardtop "If life was fair you'd be able to afford one of each and a garage large enough to house them all."

06-13-2005, 06:41 AM	#5
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,769	That repopped foam is pretty spendy$$$$$$. I think about $250.00 for ONE replacement bucket seat foam. Looks great though! Nice job. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE Last edited by BobbyK; 06-13-2005 at 06:42 AM.

06-13-2005, 03:16 PM	#6
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Hmmm, the buckets are actually great looking when not all torn up like mine are. You did a great job! __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

06-13-2005, 06:37 AM	#4
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Brandy freakin' new!! Nice work, looks great.

06-13-2005, 04:16 PM	#7
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,470	Same color combo as mine __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

06-13-2005, 06:23 PM	#8
jay_shy SWB 4X4 CLUB Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 1,088	Where did you get the foam and covers from. Is the quality what you expected. Just wanted to know because my buckets will need recovered and the drivers seat needs new foam. Jason By the way looks great.

06-13-2005, 09:43 PM	#9
orangeuavol GO VOLS! Join Date: May 2001 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 725	What' your address so I can send you my seats to do next awsome job! __________________ http://1972blazer.shutterfly.com/<= blazer build pics It's called golf because all the other four letter words were taken. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

06-13-2005, 11:12 PM	#10
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Nice. Let us know what you would do to make it easier. I'd like to get new covers for my '72. What is on there is in good shape, but it isn't the original vinyl. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

06-13-2005, 11:25 PM	#11
71RestoRod Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 494	Thanks for the props, guys. Luv, I remember you saying your were going B&W... Nice combo! BobK is right... the foam is seriously outrageou$. I had no intention of replacing them, but the wife insisted that I do. (No really... She said they smelled. I'm a pretty lucky guy!) I'm actually really glad that I did replace them. Once I was able to compare the new foams to the old you could clearly see that, while he old ones had good shape, they had lost all of their integrity. After going as long and far as I have with this rodstoration, it wouldn't have made sense to scrimp. Fact is though; I could have bought a new set of Corbeaus for what I have into these seats. I just really like the look of the originals. You can get the foams from just about any of the vendors. There is only one manufacturer, so shop for price. I ended up getting the foams and seat covers from Brothers. They were the only vendor that I could find advertising a houndstooth rear seat cover for a Blazer. Looking back, I would bet that any of the board vendors could have set me up with the covers. As it turned out, I had to wait an eternity for them to be made to order anyway. My driver's seat frame was bent into the "fully reclined" position and I didn't think that straightening it would last, so I went on the hunt for a good replacement. I finally found one. I still had to straighten them up and tack-weld several spots, but nothing too serious. __________________ 71 Blazer / GMPP ZZ383 / MPFI / 700R4 / 4-Wheel Disk / Ground-up frame off almost completed resto-mod Last edited by 71RestoRod; 07-05-2005 at 08:06 PM.

06-14-2005, 03:33 PM	#12
burb71 Active Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ft. Myers, Fl Posts: 1,711	Bucket seat restoration Nice job 71RestoRod!!! It looks great........ But please tell me how you got all of the old foam and crap off of the frame? I have a set that needs new foam, Clean rust from the frame and covers. Can you give me some tips on how to do what you have done to your seat?

06-14-2005, 05:15 PM	#13
71RestoRod Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 494	Sure thing, Burb71... Set the seat up on a firm working surface... and then proceed to rip all of the covers, old foam and crap off of the frame. No, really... that's about it. You can surgically remove the foams from the frame, which is what I did in the first place, thinking that I would reuse them. If that is the case, cut them from the back side of the frame, around the inside of the frame and carefully peel the foam around to the front. You will see where the springs, which are formed into the foam, are attached to the frame. The adhesive used on the foam "gives" if you pull on it just right. You can unhook the springs using a pair of vice-grips and then remove the foam and springs as a unit. If you are going to use replacement foams, you'll have to rip the springs out of the old foams anyway. I blasted the frames clean, spot welded where I thought they could use some reinforcement, and then coated them. You can get most of the foam off by "working" it, rolling it back and forth with your thumb. I had two tools that seemed to work well for me. The first is a metal scribe, which is really just a 3/8" thick piece of steel with a point on the end. I used this to punch holes in the foams for the tie-backs. The other was a windshield installation tool, that I used to poke holes through the tie-back wire cover. Lastly, there are the hog-ring pliers from LMC that basically suk as much as the hog rings that came with it. Tiawan crap. They work, but If you can, go to an agricultural supply store and get a decent quality pair of hog ring pliers and rings. Bouncy: The answer is to use lots of zip ties. What was the question? __________________ 71 Blazer / GMPP ZZ383 / MPFI / 700R4 / 4-Wheel Disk / Ground-up frame off almost completed resto-mod

06-15-2005, 09:34 PM	#14
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,590	That look's sweet nice work.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P.. Last edited by FRENCHBLUE72; 06-15-2005 at 09:36 PM.



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