Recovering Seats

[Lwanmtr]

Looked around and couldnt find the threads Im sure I saw before but ahh well....

Anyhow. Ive made the choice (for good or ill) to tackle putting the new DMCH Seat covers on myself and had a couple questions...

First, what size hog rings should I get? They didnt send me any with the covers.
What is a good tool to get...Looking on amazon I can see a few different types, just not sure which is the best and easiest to use for an ametuer.

Also, any tips about putting the covers on, best way to tension the covers, etc.

Thanks.

[Lwanmtr]

Heres a couple of the tools I been looking at...

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-P7DW-Hog-Ring-Pliers/dp/B00I7PCF3K/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=hog+ring&qid=1599797652&sr=8-6

https://www.amazon.com/NIDAYE-Straight-Pliers-200pcs-Galvanized/dp/B07CVCT721/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=hog+ring&qid=1599799231&sr=8-8

Any other suggestions appreciated

[louielouie2000]

I used the second style hog ring cutter when I helped recover seats. The hog rings rest in the pliers and don't wiggle around as you maneuver to the seat to clamp them. If you don't have hog ring cutters to remove the old hog rings, I can't recommend enough buying a pair of those, too:

https://www.npdlink.com/product/tool-hog-ring-cutter-designed-to-efficiently-and/106742

As far as tips... the best one I can give you is to have a friend with good hand strength help. There are a couple of spots where you could really use an extra hand with keeping tension on the leather while you clamp the hog rings down (the worst part is the very bottom of the seat back, where you have to pull and wrap the leather around). There are several useful threads here on DMC Talk... just do a Google search for "DeLorean Seat Cover." Zip ties are your friend during this job for spots like the neck below the headrest, the section where the seat back meets the side bolsters, and even the seat bottom. We also put shopping bags over the headrest foam to be able to slide the new seat covers on, though some folks do it the proper way with silicone spray. Personally, we started the hog rings with the neck below the headrest and worked our way down the seatback. Keep in mind you will have to cut a slit for the seatback releases... we just used a good utility knife. The seat bottoms are pretty easy, comparatively. I'm sure everyone finds their own groove of how to complete this job, though.

[dn010]

You may be thinking of the recent discussion about recovering seats in the "what have you done to your delorean today" thread, it is worth checking out.

[Bitsyncmaster]

You may be thinking of the recent discussion about recovering seats in the "what have you done to your delorean today" thread, it is worth checking out.

Yes I started with my seat covers there (post 8411) but then started a new thread "L-seat covers".

[dmcman73]

There is also this old thread: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?9823-How-To-Installing-DMCH-Leather-Seat-Covers-some-thoughts

[Lwanmtr]

I used the second style hog ring cutter when I helped recover seats. The hog rings rest in the pliers and don't wiggle around as you maneuver to the seat to clamp them. If you don't have hog ring cutters to remove the old hog rings, I can't recommend enough buying a pair of those, too:
https://www.npdlink.com/product/tool-hog-ring-cutter-designed-to-efficiently-and/106742

Thanks I'll add that to my list. Yeah prolly gonna be a solo job since I dont have many who can hop over here to help.


You may be thinking of the recent discussion about recovering seats in the "what have you done to your delorean today" thread, it is worth checking out.

Ahh yeah, thats where I saw it recently...lol thanks



Yes I started with my seat covers there (post 8411) but then started a new thread "L-seat covers".


Thanks, thats got some good info. Those arent the DMCH covers you have though?



There is also this old thread: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?9823-How-To-Installing-DMCH-Leather-Seat-Covers-some-thoughts

Cool. Weird, when I searched I didnt see this one.

Thanks guys.

What size hog rings should I get?

[dmcman73]

Just use standard upholstery hog rings like these: https://www.eastwood.com/hog-rings-pack-of-100.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInovM1tDh6wIVEODICh3UAwC cEAYYASABEgI1b_D_BwE

[louielouie2000]

Looking at pictures of the various sizes, and doing some internet forum searching, I'm fairly certain we used 3/4" hog rings.

[Bitsyncmaster]

The ones I used say 140mm X 200 mm but I think pretty much all the upholstery hog rings are about the size.

[Lwanmtr]

Called Toby and his are 3/4".

[Lwanmtr]

Unless I missed it, I cant see in the threads about how to remove the lever on the seat. I didnt want to just start pulling and break something.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Unless I missed it, I cant see in the threads about how to remove the lever on the seat. I didnt want to just start pulling and break something.

The lever just pulls off. It sits on some flat metal with teeth shaped on the metal edges.

[jackb]

After you pull the old skins, hit them with a steam iron to fluff up the compressed foam.
Use a supermarket produce bag over the headrests to slide the covers on.
Use zip-ties to pull the neck of the headrest tight.
Hog-ring all the corners, then middles, then new middles, over and over.
Stretch and measure multiple times before making the cut for the side lever.

Overall, it’s pretty quick and easy. I spent maybe two hours per seat, from start to finish.

[Lwanmtr]

Thanks. I figured they just pulled off...but didnt want to break them (and have them be NLA...lol).

Thanks Jackb, thats helpful advice too :)

Just waiting for the tools to arrive (should be tomorrow).

Looked at the seat rails in the meantime, and determined I need to replace those as well.

[Lwanmtr]

Has anyone installed the newer seat covers from DMCH?

Instead of a hollow cloth that you put the old wire in, it has plastic flaps with holes that dont seem to line up with anything.
If course, they didnt supply any instructions on what youre supposed to do.

[jackb]

Has anyone installed the newer seat covers from DMCH?

Instead of a hollow cloth that you put the old wire in, it has plastic flaps with holes that dont seem to line up with anything.
If course, they didnt supply any instructions on what youre supposed to do.


There is a vertical cut through the foam on the base part of the seat, between the center-butt part and the bolsters. That plastic part threads through it. The fabric part between the plastic and leather goes vertical, and then you rotate/flip the plastic part to be horizontal, at the bottom of the foam, above the rubber support base. Like an upside-down T.

[Lwanmtr]

How are the plastic parts secured? or are they?

[Bitsyncmaster]

How are the plastic parts secured? or are they?

The plastic is made with the cloth so it will not pull off the cloth. You can buy that material for people that are sewing there own seat covers. The L-seat covers have that only on the back where the covers attach in the slots in the foam on the back of the seat. The lower cover has the sewn loop of cloth where you install the heavy shaped steel rod you remove from your original seat cover. All the edges of the L-seat covers need a wire inserted into the sewn flap.

[Lwanmtr]

There is no sewn loop of cloth...the cloth that would have had that just has big plastic flaps, there is no way to put the original wire back in.

I'll take a pic tomorrow, when I get to it.

[jackb]

There is no sewn loop of cloth...the cloth that would have had that just has big plastic flaps, there is no way to put the original wire back in.

I'll take a pic tomorrow, when I get to it.

Yeah, you just rotate the plastic so its horizontal. It doesn’t “secure” via anything other than tension/fitment. The fabric part is the same length as the foam is deep. You pull the plastic piece through and rotate it sideways. I did notvtake any pictures of mine, but think of an upside-down letter T. The horizontal part is the plastic, the vertical part is the fabric, and foam is on either side.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Yeah, you just rotate the plastic so its horizontal. It doesn’t “secure” via anything other than tension/fitment. The fabric part is the same length as the foam is deep. You pull the plastic piece through and rotate it sideways. I did notvtake any pictures of mine, but think of an upside-down letter T. The horizontal part is the plastic, the vertical part is the fabric, and foam is on either side.

I attached the plastic parts with hog rings like the original covers were attached. That will keep the seat back tight in the middle.

[Lwanmtr]

Here is a picture of the new lower seat cover, for those who havent seen them and may be confused as to what I been babbling about..hehe.

64585

As you can see, DMCH changed them from the original design (and provided no instructions).

The seat back cover is the same as the original, except the rod is plastic, so the hog rings worked there.

Jacb, thanks for that info.

I will say just the seat backs have been providing quite the workout so far, specially for someone who works with puters all day and not pulling and stretching things...im an animator, not a taffy puller..lol

[Bitsyncmaster]

Well here is the bottom of the passenger seat. This one seems looser than the drivers seat. I even used ty-wraps so it pulled tighter than hog rings. I still have to attach the sides but as you can see at the front photo there is no pull on the cover. So the length of the cover is to long or my foam has compressed. Maybe there was some change in the seats and L-seat made the covers from the other design.

Has everyone else found the lower seat covers seem to large?

I may try to add another bar at the back so I can pull it tighter.

[lazabby]

I recovered one of my seats a few years back. Attached are pictures of the tools and rings I used.6459364594

[Bitsyncmaster]

What I did was put the 14 gauge fence wire at the sew seam and fold the cover over on that seam. Then I start pulling the ty-wraps tight, turn the seat over and work the cover to the back, tighten the ty-wraps a little, etc. Yes it would be better to have my new seam sewed but I think it will hold since the ty-wraps are pulling tight around the wire.

[Victor]

Hi Dave, I confirm that my lower seat (the seating portion) is somewhat loose too, from my Lseat. But the back portion is a perfect fit.

It could very well be that after all these years, the original foam material has just compress. I think for me that it is just good enough for my taste and fit. Maybe if it annoy me over time, I might try to have add new foam material there, « butt » like I say, it’s comfortable enough for me.

[FABombjoy]

Steaming the foam will help. On mine the bolster-bar pockets were not optimally sewn. My pass side has the eyelets on the bolster bars pretty much touching the zip ties/washers.

When I get to my drivers seat, the plan is to shorten those pockets up so the center can be pulled tighter.

[Victor]

Steaming the foam will help. On mine the bolster-bar pockets were not optimally sewn. My pass side has the eyelets on the bolster bars pretty much touching the zip ties/washers.

When I get to my drivers seat, the plan is to shorten those pockets up so the center can be pulled tighter.

Very good idea. That is what I intended to do with my passenger seat too. And if that works fine, I will probably de-hog rings my driver seat and do it again like that too. -sorry for my English there- I am canadian, so yes sorry :)

[Bitsyncmaster]

Steaming the foam will help. On mine the bolster-bar pockets were not optimally sewn. My pass side has the eyelets on the bolster bars pretty much touching the zip ties/washers.

When I get to my drivers seat, the plan is to shorten those pockets up so the center can be pulled tighter.

Yes, I had most of mine also pulled right to the ty-wrap ends hitting the washers.

[Lwanmtr]

I did steam my foam on my seats, and it apears that maybe its a design flaw with the lower seat covers, because no matter how much I play taffy machine on cover, the center just wont get tight. Part of the flawy may be that the covers are anchored using the plastic flaps slid under the bolsters, so while you pull, it pulls tight on the bolster, but just pulls them outward. There is no pull to the frame of the seat.

While it may be some due to 40 years of collapsing, cant be the whole thing, cause the original covers were still super tight (though ripped..hehe).

I may put a piece of padding in the center to fill that out a bit.