Seat refurbishing

Post by **winger300** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 7:53 pm

I have a '55 split screen Morris which has it's original leather seats. They are very worn, torn and cracked.

Is it best to have them re-upholstered or to just buy the replacement leather covers that most Minor specialists seem to offer?

Which is the cheapest option?

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 10:59 am

It will depend on what a local upholsterer would charge to do the job as labour charges vary so much, you do not say where you are ? so I could not even offer a local contact.

Post by **winger300** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 11:01 am

im in Coventry

Post by **Gareth** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 11:32 am

The replacement covers are an easy way of doing it. You have to strip the seats to do it. Newton Commercial will do it for you, at a cost.

If you can get the bits, then an upholsterer may piece it all together for you. I did mine myself (only vinyl though) and they look very smart and are nice and comfy.

Buying the covers and DIY is the cheapest
Then using covers and someone competent (I guess I could have a go for a fee

)
Then the most expensive would be professional retrimming.

Post by **nonosh** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 1:28 pm

Where would it be the cheapest place to buy? I live in London... Is it quite easy to do DIY? My seats are really need doing it, too...

nonosh

Post by **Gareth** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 2:35 pm

DIY is quite easy, if you have the patience! Ring around your local Minor suppliers. The only thing is, that they will buy them from Newton Commercial, 'cos they have the monopoly!

Post by **an_avenger** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 3:06 am

It's quite sad, but G.C.S.E textile technology did EVENTUALLY come in handy. I managed to repair a torn section on my passenger seat with some good results. If you do, do DIY look how it's put together, get a sewing maching....some bobbins and away you go! You'll be surprised how therepeautic it can be. The entire insides of my car are not strictly original but are personal touches! Once you're brave enough try a head-lining!

Post by **winger300** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:12 pm

What do you actually get when buying the covers from a Morris specialist?

Is all the leather pre sewn, and you just slip them onto the seat and stitch them at the back or something?

Post by **Gareth** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 10:14 am

You have to take the seat apart - remove the cover, take off the padding and renew the webbing straps if required. Then, put the straps on, refit the foam (best to buy this new) and slip the cover over the top. This is then held with trimmer's clips, and a rubber strip along the front of the seat. There should be no sewing involved.

Post by **winger300** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 1:21 am

however with the SeriesII seats they are metal based, which means there are no straps/webbing. Also the seat back is vinyl backed with leather front, and im really not sure whats involved in re-covering this part.

The leather covers are over £300 for two seats, it seems a lot of money, im wondering if a professional could renew them cheaper.