I am a total rookie on the upholstery work. I did the rear seat a month or so ago, it turned out very good. One small bunched area that I honestly think is sewn funny. And one of my white accents doesn't line up just perfect from seat back to bottom. The rear seat was the first seat I ever did, this front seat is the second...

Here is the PS front seat... this was late last night. I haven't started the DS yet.

Let me know how I did. I need to do a little more pulling on the lower right side of the seat back to even out the bolstering, or let off a little pressure on the top part - or maybe both. I am pretty sure I can get this looking correct. And I believe I can get the wrinkles on the big panels out with steam or heat. And I think I have a seam folded on the seat bottom that I need to flip under. What do you think? Got any tips or ideas for me? Any help is appreciated.

It actually looks better in person, the camera seems to magnify any area of concern.

 

When are you coming over to do mine?

 

It looks pretty damn good to me. The flat area wrinkles will come out with heat for sure. The important part is your trim lines line up, the seams are centered nicely on the shoulders and down below and your welt lines are straight, so well done. I did the seats in my 69 so I know how fiddly it can be.

 

I agree, the seat looks very good. I'm looking forward to your final pictures and tips for others to follow.

 

I'm going to stop by with some seats and beer for you to show me the ropes. Very nice

 

It looks pretty damn good to me. The flat area wrinkles will come out with heat for sure. The important part is your trim lines line up, the seams are centered nicely on the shoulders and down below and your welt lines are straight, so well done. I did the seats in my 69 so I know how fiddly it can be.

Glad to hear this. From my research I thought that getting everything straight and lined up was the most important thing, then small wrinkles and imperfections can be worked out with heat, steam and elbow grease. I am not able to put the time in I wish I could, hopefully I get some shop time this week during the evenings. I'll post back with progress when I have some.

 

On embossed metal like the seat backs and console lid, I either strip the paint or use a 3M scotch brite pad and degreaser to prep the old paint (if tight) before painting. I used the same paint used for the interior parts. On plastic parts and the dash, 3M used to make a flexitive to add to the paint and thus allowing it to flex without cracking. That was 30 years ago.
The seat covers take time. Mark your old covers to the frame and then transfer the marks from the old vinyl to the new. These reference marks will give you a good start if the old covers fit well. There are plenty of videos from the suppliers like Al Knoch, they do hundreds a year so it is hard to improve on their experience.

 

I am going to try and spray bomb the seat backs. Honestly, the area to paint is borderline for me to pull out the spray gun...

I read good reviews on the SEM products and ordered some Color Coat 15423 (satin black), this is listed for all interior surfaces and is flexible, so not necessarily intended for applying to a metal surface, but does list rigid plastic. The color chip/sheen appeared to be really close. I'll shoot a sample and see how it goes. There may be a better product out there, I am still looking.

If someone has a better paint recommendation please offer it up.

 

I am going to try and spray bomb the seat backs. Honestly, the area to paint is borderline for me to pull out the spray gun...

I read good reviews on the SEM products and ordered some Color Coat 15423 (satin black), this is listed for all interior surfaces and is flexible, so not necessarily intended for applying to a metal surface, but does list rigid plastic. The color chip/sheen appeared to be really close. I'll shoot a sample and see how it goes. There may be a better product out there, I am still looking.

If someone has a better paint recommendation please offer it up.

I just finished a 69 Firebird for a customer. Took all the interior out, cleaned with degreaser then laquer thinner. Sprayed with SEM semi black and shot a light coat on everything except dash and headliner. Took 1 can. Covered the PUI covers on the front with new foam and some 1/4" foam where need to fill out covers and prevent wrinkles. Turned out perfect. Its like a pillow case!!

 

Seats look great! I have been very satisfied with SEM paints thus far. I wish my '67 seats had the metal backings. It's a late model in the run when Chevrolet began to install the plastic backs. Brittleness, rot and scratches and not happy with the reproduction replacement. Cheers on a job well done!

 

Got the second one together and installed tonight. I installed the seat track extenders too. With the new foams and seat track extenders I get it... headroom is an issue in these cars = maybe no hat while driving.

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I know a guy who has some of the metal seat back covers. PM me if you want his information.

 

Seat looks great! I did mine after watching lots of videos and buying a kit and tools. I really enjoyed it and have a seat apart on my project truck right now. I hemmed and hawed over repainting my turquoise metal backs and couldn’t quite get around to it so i finally just bought some plastic ones and mounted them up. The fit is not as good, but i kicked the problem down the road for the next ten years. And nobody can tell.

 

Looking closer at the seat backs, I don't think I will strip them. The grain appears to be something GM applied on top of the metal and I don't want to loose what is left of it. So probably a good soap and water wash with a soft brush, then a very light scotch bright rub down and lots of wipe down cleaning, then test spray a spot.

 

Looking closer at the seat backs, I don't think I will strip them. The grain appears to be something GM applied on top of the metal and I don't want to loose what is left of it. So probably a good soap and water wash with a soft brush, then a very light scotch bright rub down and lots of wipe down cleaning, then test spray a spot.

The texture is part of the metal originally. Had plenty roll through my shop. Not sprayed on unless someone did it. Stick with SEM products. Other companies make trim blacks but not going into all that here.

 

@thecamaroguy I am using PUI covers also. Thought I should have gone with Legacy, but these look pretty good to me. Only thing I will say is the listing wires in the covers are a little weak, I replaced the lower cover with a heavier wire. The seat backs would be very difficult to swap out so I went with what came in them.

 

I have used PUI for 30 years and they have held up with no issues. Just did the buckets on a Firebird and they match the rear originals perfectly and they are cost effective. My upholstery friend says they all use the same material and threads the same as well, price is the biggest difference. Some have a little more non original detail that looks good but close to OEM.

 

I thought the grain looked "applied on top" just because there are a couple small areas where the grain is worn, like right on the side of the catch lever for the seat back.

SEM product came yesterday. Looking forward to trying it out. Thanks for the heads up, I read a few other posts and everyone speaks highly of that product. If it works it works and happy to feel confident with it, even though I have never used it. The learning curve is on me!

Hoped to get back on this work this weekend, but brother in law has pulled me in on a road trip... may not get much shop time this weekend.

 

Weeks later, I have a small update on the second front seat, I do have the bottom covered and it looks good. Still working on the seat back, I am not happy with the listing wire location and think I need to re-do it. The white accent doesn't look parallel with the top of the seat and that is a problem.

Getting time to work on this has been a struggle. It is the end of summer and pressure to get a ton of other projects finished up, along with family obligations and events hasn't left much time for "my play time". But I think about this every day and run through the process in my head, so hopefully when I get back on it, my time time will be efficient and I can get them wrapped up quickly. Hope to have pictures of the finished seats soon.

 

Figured I would post another update. It has taken me forever to get these front seats done. I finally got the seat backs stripped, cleaned, primed and painted. The SEM product is amazing! The seat backs look like they are covered in vinyl, they look nearly perfect. I got one seat together and in the car.

woohoooo!

Now I am already thinking that the SEM product would be good to repaint the console, gauge housing and center dash trim with.

Here is a quick pic.

 

Got the second one together and installed tonight. I installed the seat track extenders too. With the new foams and seat track extenders I get it... headroom is an issue in these cars = maybe no hat while driving.

 

Just finished a 69 Firebird. took the entire interior out except the perfect headliner. New foam and covers from PUI that matched perfectly with the original rear seat. Cleaned all the interior with lacquer thinner and sprayed a light coat of SEM semi black. Took 1 can and used it on the dash as well. New dash pad. Repaired a few tears in the door panel, rear seat and 1 headrest crack. Looks like new. Made seat extenders from supplies gotten at lowes for about $20. Yours look great and I like the deluxe interior.

 

sem trim black is perfect for 67 consoles. I used it on mine and it’s stood up for years now.

 

Your PUI covers came out good. I put them in my car nearly 20 years ago. Legendary made 67 Deluxe covers for a client. I'm a dealer for them. They are the only ones who match the welting exactly but you pay for it. Nobody would know without having a reference to originals. The color of your car looks familiar. I had rally wheels forever but grew tired of them and gave them away.

 

Thanks guys, and thanks for the heads up on the SEM product, I am sold on it. Pretty much the best thing I have ever seen come out of a spray can. When I redo my gauges, my plan is to spray the console, gauge housing and dash trim plate. This will really tie all that "grain" together. This product is a real game changer for interior work!

@thecamaroguy I read where you used this on the door panels. I had planned on replacing my panels, but the option of restoring them is solid. I have a ton of questions about that and will start another thread on it when the time comes.

67 MM - my favorite paint code! @Sauron67MM your car looks fantastic! I almost went with Legendary covers, I know they are seen as the best, my car is a driver so I gambled on the PUI and am pretty happy, I think some time and use will settle them in. Glad to hear they are lasting in your car.

You two have posted several comments across this site that have helped me bigtime (many others have too). Thank you all very much, I have learned a TON from this forum, and been motivated to do a few things outside my normal wheelhouse (like the seats), with the help and information here, I know I can do anything on this car, even a front end alignment - which was one thing I used to farm out. Beers on me if we ever meet.