C3 Corvette Seat Reupholstery - Gimme Some Skin

Secure the rear foam piece to the frame with spray glue before installing the seat covers to facilitate assembly. After the seat covers have been attached with hog rings to the frame and the springs, the latch mechanism can be slid in under the foam.

Installing the seat back molding was a challenge because the studs could not be pushed deep enough into the new foam and covers to start the speed nuts. Cutting 10-24 or 12-24 threads on the studs with a die enables regular nuts to catch on the first 1/8 inch of the stud and solved the problem.

Tighten the molding nuts judiciously to draw the fragile cast part into the new upholstery without breaking a stud or warping the molding. Time spent trimming excess foam from this area is appreciated now because it permits easy access to the two outer studs. Next, install the seat latch assembly.

Cut a flap in the upholstery along the inside edge of the molding for the shoulder harness if so equipped. Note that the molding can be ordered with no slots or with the seat belt slot precut for the left or right side.

Install the plastic seat back and then install the bezels for the shoulder belt and the release button. Be very conservative in the amount of material you trim for the button and the belt; it's far better to trim and try a few times than cut beyond the bezels. Make sure you slide the release strip into the seat back and install the hinge screws. To prevent the hinge screw from working loose, install a jam nut against the weld nut. Fold the seats forward a few times and check the release.

If the seat tracks are rusted, POR-15 provides an easy, tough coating to restore their appearance and protect them. Scrape and wire brush the rusted areas and clean the surface with a degreaser or solvent if necessary. Tip: wear gloves when applying POR-15. If it dries on your skin, it will be there for days.

This is a good time to inspect and repair or replace the seat belts. Tip: After seeing many seat belt mechanisms ruined by corrosion, I decided it's better to remove the large plastic cover that often traps water there. Just be careful to keep items from going under the seats; they could temporarily jam the belt.

The seat bolts deserve attention--their lower end extends underneath the car, getting abuse from road spray and grime. After cleaning the threads and repainting, apply grease or an antiseize compound liberally to the threads. You'll be glad you did next time the seats need to be removed for new carpets or other refurbishing.

They look so good you may want to put them in the living room for a while to admire. However, with the seat tracks and knob installed, they are ready to put in the car. Again, I'd recommend using a helper to prevent the sharp edges of the tracks from chipping paint or gouging upholstery.

Install all four bolts loosely and then move the seat back and forth a few times to make sure the tracks are aligned and sufficiently parallel to operate smoothly. Installing the rear bolts can sometimes be a challenge; make sure you don't cross-thread them. Many people have, or have just omitted them.