New PLC seat foams are here....now what do I do?!

[avivalasvegas]

I may have overestimated my ability to handle this job on my own. I have the Spitfire 1500 reclining seats installed. It's clear I will need to:

1) Lightly rust "convert" the seat frame which is otherwise is good shape.

2) Follow the instructions

I'm tempted to hire a trim guy to install everything for me but before I do, thought I'd check to see if any novice had attempted this job before?

[Badwolf]

This is a great DIY job that many of us have done.

Make sure the frame is sound before you go any further!!

First jobs, rub down the frame, treat any rust and give two coats of the paint and colour of your choice. I used some old black hammerite that I had lying around on the shelves. This was the old stuff not the modern rubbish. Other paints are available.

I suggest that you replace the seat rubbers after painting. A simple improvement and what an improvement.

[Badwolf]

..then follow the instructions carefully, asking questions here when you get stuck!! A couple of bin liners are handy to have for when you fit the covers over the foams.

[GrahamB]

I tackled this task several years ago.  The foam had disintegrated but the black vinyl covers were still good so just replaced the foam. I cannot remember any details except it was relatively easy.  I secured the covers with black plastic cable ties rather than hog rings as much easier and adjustable but not as neat if you remove the cushions and inspect the underside. Perfectly acceptable when fitted the correct way up in the car.

[Adrian]

I did this for my GT6 and Is actually quite simple and logical. Keep it slow to make sure you give adhesive time to go off and use plenty of ties tightened steadily and evenly to prevent any ripping. In hind sight I could probably of tightened mine more. 

[Pete Lewis]

agree cable ties are the things to use , and bin liner or old net curtain to aid the cover over the foams 

you can leave the curtain in but best remove the bin bag or it may get noisy /creaky   with bums on seats  

Pete

[Badwolf]

However you get it done, you will certainly not regret it until you realise that you are sitting 2 to 3 inches higher on the seat. I think that when I fitted my new covers, I turned them inside out and sort of rolled them down over the foams, a bit like the old trick of turning socks inside out to help put them on (well, that's how my Mum did them - socks, not seats!!). I did put a piece of new hessian under the bottom foam and drew it up around the sides to hide the odd bit of foam that could be seen around the base. I too, should have pulled the ties a bit tighter but didn't want to tear the cover, but it looks neat and smells nice.

[dougbgt6]

Yes it's a straightforward job. I echo everything said, ditch the hog rings, use cable ties. Clean up and paint the frames.  My webbing was OK so I didn't touch it, but you can buy it ready made £££! or get a roll of the stuff on ebay.   I sat taller in the new seat, head touching the roof however a small tilt of the chair back and a haircut sorted that. The first time I only did the foams, but a couple of years later I put on new covers. Although I had them standing by, neither time did I need the bin liner trick. 

Doug

[avivalasvegas]

Thanks for the encouragement - Worth a shot I suppose but will start with the passenger side first just incase.

Now, to search for "How to take the seat out of the car" 🙆‍♂️

[Badwolf]

Seat out of car - Seat all the way forward, undo two rear runner bolts, then seat all the way back wards, undo two front bolts, which in my case was a little difficult due to the seat foam spreading over the head of the bolt. Then lift out. When you replace the seat, I found that it was useful to have an assistant push the seat foam out of the way so that the spanner doesn't mark the cover, but that may just have been a one off in my case. 

[rlubikey]

Yes, I was a trimming novice. Take it slowly, do one seat at a time so you have one to copy, and take the weight off the cable ties by compressing the foam so you can tighten the ties little by little, working round so as to keep the stress evenly distributed. I ended up making new holes down one side to stretch the material more so as to copy the originals, as the measurements in my instructions were the same down each side of the base - I don't think that's correct.

2 hours ago, Badwolf said:

I did put a piece of new hessian under the bottom foam and drew it up around the sides to hide the odd bit of foam that could be seen around the base.

Yes, I did that to copy what my original seat foams had. Triumph must have put the hessian there for a reason.

2 hours ago, dougbgt6 said:

I sat taller in the new seat, head touching the roof however a small tilt of the chair back and a haircut sorted that.

Did you have an "Elvis" look before Doug?

Cheers, Richard

[Pete Lewis]

and if you get any wrinkles get a wallpaper steamer and make a pipe wand  to stickup it 

I'll leave the answers to you 

Pete

[dougbgt6]

1 hour ago, rlubikey said:

Did you have an "Elvis" look before Doug?

db

[DVD3500]