Factory Leather Repair started...

[MnHiFlyr]

If anyone else has ratty or worn out factory leather, here's what I'm about to do with mine......

I'm about to start with my interior 'restification'. I have the factory gray leather seats in my '97 Z71.

I've ordered an OEM type replacement leather cover for the driver's bottom cushion on ebay from Seats R Us for $150, and some SEM Classic Coat Med Gray (part #17173, $12.99) to re-dye the passenger seat and my back cushion from Memphis Trim since no-one had it local.

I'll let you know how the cover turns out and how close the dye is. There were two colors of gray to choose from with SEM, but I was told it was the medium gray (#17173), not the light gray (#17123). I'm not positive that is correct, so I may have to re-order the dye.

I'll post some pics once I get the stuff and make some progress, s/b in a few days.

Josh

[tnwaterdog]

If anyone else has ratty or worn out factory leather, here's what I'm about to do with mine......

I'm about to start with my interior 'restification'. I have the factory gray leather seats in my '97 Z71.

I've ordered an OEM type replacement leather cover for the driver's bottom cushion on ebay from Seats R Us for $150, and some SEM Classic Coat Med Gray (part #17173, $12.99) to re-dye the passenger seat and my back cushion from Memphis Trim since no-one had it local.

I'll let you know how the cover turns out and how close the dye is. There were two colors of gray to choose from with SEM, but I was told it was the medium gray (#17173), not the light gray (#17123). I'm not positive that is correct, so I may have to re-order the dye.

I'll post some pics once I get the stuff and make some progress, s/b in a few days.

Josh

I'm very interested is seeing pics on how it turns out for you Josh.

The DR seat in my 96 Z71 (also gray) is worn out along the outboard edge and I'm sick of it. I've been surfing eBay for replacement seats (way too expensive), and also the bottom seat covers that you are buying. That's probably the way I'll go also, so keep us posted on the results. In-process recovering pics would be great to see.

I'm also thinking about adding a seat heater while recovering the bottom cushion. Has anyone had any experience with installing aftermarket seat heaters?

[MnHiFlyr]

I rec'd the seat cover in the mail. It looks to be very well constructed, and the color is an almost perfect match. The grain is a bit heavier on the new cover, but I think I can deal with it. :) I'll be starting the install and take some before and after pics in the next few days.

Also, I ordered some SEM Classic Coat GM Medium Gray #17173 Aerosol spray and it is a perfect match for the factory gray leather/vinyl seats. I plan on thoroughly cleaning my remaining upholstery and re-dying it to freshen it up. I've had it done on other cars, and it usually turns out as good as new....so i'm hoping that I can replicate that.

I test sprayed the SEM on the ratty seat cover I plan on replacing, and it is literally a perfect match, I can see no edges from where I started and stopped spraying....and I have a pretty good eye for color, so I'm quite pleased.

Sorry, I have no pics yet, and I have no experience with seat heaters either!

Josh

[neptune1230]

I'm interested also, post some pics when you can. Good luck...

[tnwaterdog]

Thanks for the update MnHiFlyr.

Good luck with it. I very interested in hearing/seeing how difficult the seat cover is to install. Looking forward to seeing the pics.

BTW, do you think the dye would cover up rust spots on a leather seats? I got a couple on my passenger seat back from a tool laying there for a couple days.

[bknyaic]

Pics Please . I have a set of seats in my pickup that need to be dyed also!

[496-TKO]

A freind of mine is in the Mobile repair business. All he will use is the SEM products. He also uses a prep that aids in adhesion that is made by a company named BULLDOG. I just dyes my 97 dash to put it in my 92. It matches perfectly.

[MnHiFlyr]

Here's the pics. It went fairly well, took about 2 hours from start to finish including cleaning and re-dying the backrest of the driver's seat, and the entire passenger seat. The dye is a little lighter in color, but not by much. In certain light, the new cover is more 'putty' colored, but in natural sunlight, it's pretty close. I may dye the new cover as well just to ensure a nice even match.

I didn't need to remove the brackets from the truck, I just undid the 4 10MM bolts that hold the seat to the brackets. After that, I carefully dis-connected the power seat harnesses. Once I removed the seat from the truck, I had to unscrew the panel for the power seat controls (2 philips), and the recliner handle (1 philip screw). Then using a pliers I removed the factory hog-rings that hold the cover on. From there, I just removed the factory cover and slipped the new one on. Be sure to line up the velcro on the bottom of the new cover, to the velcro strips in the seat foam. These are what give the seat the 'tucked' look at the seams on the seating surface. Once that's lined up, I pushed down to seat the velcro. The next step is to snap the plastic channel type clip over the rod that extends down the side of the seat. Once the velcro is lined up and the rod is connected, you can stretch the other 3 sides down and use large zip ties to pull it taught. I didn't use hog-rings again, the upholsterer who sold me the cover said it wasn't necessary, zip ties work great.

Old cover:
http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/1408/oldseatcover.jpg

New cover:
http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/1408/seatcover.jpg

Channel clip snapped over rod:
http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/1408/seatrod.jpg

Zip Tied:
http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/1408/seatziptie.jpg

Finished (note the old hog rings in lower LH corner):
http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/1408/seatfront.jpg

Back in truck!
http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/1408/seatside2.jpg


Sorry for the poor quality, I was just using my 1megapixel phone camera.

Josh

[MnHiFlyr]

Thanks for the update MnHiFlyr.

Good luck with it. I very interested in hearing/seeing how difficult the seat cover is to install. Looking forward to seeing the pics.

BTW, do you think the dye would cover up rust spots on a leather seats? I got a couple on my passenger seat back from a tool laying there for a couple days.

Yes, it should cover the rust spot. I had a few spots that wouldn't clean off as well. It's almost like spray paint in terms of coverage. I dries quickly, and seems to bond well so far. I thoroughly cleaned the leather and vinyl first to ensure a clean oil/grease free surface to adhere to.

[kg955]

Looks good, Man!

[Birdie2000]

Did the dye leave any sort of texture to the seat? Some of the dyes I've seen people use before left the vinyl feeling kinda rough/gritty vs. the smooth feel they have from the factory. I've used SEM Elastomeric paint on trim panels before, and SEM is by far the best way to go.

[tnwaterdog]

Looks GOOD Josh!

Thanks for the pics.

My drivers seat bottom cover is in only slightly better shape than your old cover. I really NEED to to this repair.

So, there were only hog rings around the outside edges? None near the center of the cushion? I thought there may be a few connecting to the two seams running across the center of the cover, and going thru the cushion. Maybe that's where the Velcro is that you mentioned.

BTW, what did you use to clean the seats prior to dying? Did you have to remove the seat back to install the bottom cover?


Thanks!

[MnHiFlyr]

Did the dye leave any sort of texture to the seat? Some of the dyes I've seen people use before left the vinyl feeling kinda rough/gritty vs. the smooth feel they have from the factory. I've used SEM Elastomeric paint on trim panels before, and SEM is by far the best way to go.

For the most part, it feels about as smooth as the factory leather did on my '97...which wasn't all that supple to start with. I'll see what happens when it's conditioned down the road, but it certainly doesn't feel worse than before. It seems to be plenty pliable when sitting or pushing on it.

I think if you go too light on the misting of coats, you could get that gritty build-up....kinda like spraying clear coat not 'wet' enough on a body panel. I just sprayed nice even coats about 10" from the surface and made sure the coverage was adequate without being too thick.

Also, the SEM 'Classic Coat' that I got is what is recommended for Leather/Vinyl seats, etc. I think their 'Color Coat' is for hard plastics and vinyls. Be sure to get the Classic Coat, it's what it's designed for.

[MnHiFlyr]

Looks GOOD Josh!

Thanks for the pics.

My drivers seat bottom cover is in only slightly better shape than your old cover. I really NEED to to this repair.

So, there were only hog rings around the outside edges? None near the center of the cushion? I thought there may be a few connecting to the two seams running across the center of the cover, and going thru the cushion. Maybe that's where the Velcro is that you mentioned.

BTW, what did you use to clean the seats prior to dying? Did you have to remove the seat back to install the bottom cover?


Thanks!

Thanks man, I'm really pleased. Correct, the hog rings are only used on the bottom edges (3 of them, 1 side uses the plastic channel/clip). The seams you're thinking of on the seating surface have the 'pulled down' or 'pleated' look created by the velcro. The seat cushion is a solid foam cushion that has grooves cut into it and strips of velcro running along inside of the groove. The new seat cover has velcro on the inside along the seams. You push these together and it gives the seat that appearance.

I did not have to remove the backrest portion of the seat. The rear edge of the lower cover is more like a flap, you just pull it through between the upper and lower cushions and hinges. Once you have it through, then the side panels and rear panel velcro together at the corners.

I just used some Meguire's leather cleaner and some clean terry towels.

[neptune1230]

Great looking job. Thanks again from all of us out here looking to do the same.

[MnHiFlyr]

No problem, it was frustrating trying to decide how to go about fixing it....I considered some Katzkins, or whole new seats. But, for resale and practicality, this seemed like the best option.

Now, how do I spend the $800 I just saved? :devil:

:rocking:

[Toolman]

Looks great the color looks to match very well.

[tnwaterdog]

Well, I was looking closely at my torn driver's seat bottom, planning on ordering a cover off eBay when I noticed that the back of the driver's seat has a hole worn in it too and is badly worn in a few other spots!!!!!

P!ssed me off! Now I have to re-cover BOTH the bottom and the Back! I back to trying to decide if it's better (and more cost effective) to re-cover both cushions, or to find a decent replacement seat.

I looked on eBay for covers and it appears that you can either get a bottom cover for &150, or a full set of covers for both driver & passenger seats for $650 - nothing in between.

Any suggestions guys???????

[CarbonBowtie]

I am in the same boat only I have a 99 NBS Silverado....
I need a Drivers side bottom and SEM spray for touch ups...

Where can I get NBS covers...? Ebay only has the OBS

[///M5]

No problem, it was frustrating trying to decide how to go about fixing it....I considered some Katzkins, or whole new seats. But, for resale and practicality, this seemed like the best option.

Now, how do I spend the $800 I just saved? :devil:

:rocking:
I can help you spend that money...

Oh, and his seats look much better in person than in the pics. :boobies:

[MnHiFlyr]

Well, I was looking closely at my torn driver's seat bottom, planning on ordering a cover off eBay when I noticed that the back of the driver's seat has a hole worn in it too and is badly worn in a few other spots!!!!!

P!ssed me off! Now I have to re-cover BOTH the bottom and the Back! I back to trying to decide if it's better (and more cost effective) to re-cover both cushions, or to find a decent replacement seat.

I looked on eBay for covers and it appears that you can either get a bottom cover for &150, or a full set of covers for both driver & passenger seats for $650 - nothing in between.

Any suggestions guys???????

Call the guy up and tell him what you need. He is very helpful and accomodating. He'll sell you just the parts you need I'm sure.

I ordered mine over the phone from him and did not use the ebay auction.

Well, they are pretty nice covers, so I guess if you can cover the bottom and back for $300, you're better off than getting another worn seat. It'd be hard to find a nearly new seat, since the OEM leather is so crappy and wears so fast. Maybe this new stuff will wear just as fast, but that'll be another 70K miles from now!! :)

[MnHiFlyr]

I am in the same boat only I have a 99 NBS Silverado....
I need a Drivers side bottom and SEM spray for touch ups...

Where can I get NBS covers...? Ebay only has the OBS

I'd call the guy and see what he has. You may want to contact CKResto, they have some seat covers, as well as Katzkin, they have a lot of the NBS...but I think you're stuck with the whole kit then.

I don't know what SEM code you need, so you may want to call Memphis Trim at 800-264-8746. They were referred to me from the guy at Seats R Us. They helped me figure out what my code was. Not sure if he knows the NBS stuff, but it's worth a shot. He'll also sell it to you and ship it. There was ZERO SEM Classic Coat anywhere in Minneapolis, and I called every connection I had. Some guys have it local, I didn't.

[MnHiFlyr]

I can help you spend that money...

Oh, and his seats look much better in person than in the pics. :boobies:

Haha, I figured you could! Lemme know when you get that HU, I want to hear your system. :windowlic

[///M5]

Haha, I figured you could! Lemme know when you get that HU, I want to hear your system. :windowlic
It came at 4:30 last night, had it in by 5....

I do leave for Germany tomorrow AM though.

[tnwaterdog]

Call the guy up and tell him what you need. He is very helpful and accomodating. He'll sell you just the parts you need I'm sure.

I ordered mine over the phone from him and did not use the ebay auction.

Well, they are pretty nice covers, so I guess if you can cover the bottom and back for $300, you're better off than getting another worn seat. It'd be hard to find a nearly new seat, since the OEM leather is so crappy and wears so fast. Maybe this new stuff will wear just as fast, but that'll be another 70K miles from now!! :)

Thanks for that info, Josh. I'll give that I try. I really don't need anything for the passenger seat, nor the headrest or armrest for the driver's seat, so I don't need the $650 full seat of covers. You are talking about calling Seats-R-Us, right?

Has anyone ever re-covered a seat back? Any pics? Is it done similar to doing the seat bottom?

Oh, and I hate to show my naivety, but what are you guys talking about referring to "NBS" covers and "OBS"? I've never heard those acronyms.

[MnHiFlyr]

Thanks for that info, Josh. I'll give that I try. I really don't need anything for the passenger seat, nor the headrest or armrest for the driver's seat, so I don't need the $650 full seat of covers. You are talking about calling Seats-R-Us, right?

Has anyone ever re-covered a seat back? Any pics? Is it done similar to doing the seat bottom?

Oh, and I hate to show my naivety, but what are you guys talking about referring to "NBS" covers and "OBS"? I've never heard those acronyms.

OBS - Old Body Style ('88-'98 Trucks)
NBS - New Body Style ('99-present)

I haven't done the back, but I think it'd be just as easy as the bottom, maybe easier since you don't use any hogrings/zipties I don't think. I think it just slips over like a pillow cover, once you've removed the headrest/grommets, and armrest and tilt levers.

Yeah, I'm talking about calling Seats R Us. The guy will walk you through the steps on the phone, very courteous and friendly.

Good luck!

[MnHiFlyr]

It came at 4:30 last night, had it in by 5....

I do leave for Germany tomorrow AM though.

That's right :twak: , lemme know when you're back in town!

Later bro.

[tnwaterdog]

OBS - Old Body Style ('88-'98 Trucks)
NBS - New Body Style ('99-present)

Duh. Makes perfect sense once you know what it is!

I thought maybe it had something to do with the type of material used in the seat covers.

Thanks again Josh.

[Silverado_9c3]

wow thats night and day.....i like it, looks really good!!!!

[tnwaterdog]

Well, per MnHiFlyr's suggestion, I called James at SeatsRus Friday. He is very helpful. Looks like I'm going to get a driver's seat bottom, back and armrest cover from them at a fair price. I'll be calling him back next week to order.

I'm probably going to get a seat heater also off eBay to install while recovering.

Here is what the wear looks like on my driver's seat bottom and back.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/TNWaterdog/truck seats/126-2679_IMG.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/TNWaterdog/truck seats/126-2677_IMG.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/TNWaterdog/truck seats/126-2673_IMG.jpg

I've also got a couple of stains on the passenger seat, but the leather is not worn. So I might try dying that one later.

[moman]

What do you think it would take to put leather in my 97?

(sick of cloth)

[tnwaterdog]

What do you think it would take to put leather in my 97?

(sick of cloth)

Wow. I really have no clue!

It would depend upon what cab style you have.

Best bet would be to surf eBay for a complete set of seats out a similar type truck. I looked there for just a driver's seat, but most often it is only sold along with the passenger seat. Sometimes with rear seats too.

Good luck.