I used both.
Hog rings where ever I could, and ty wraps where I could not get enough access to fit hog rings. In some areas, after securing with ty wraps, I was able to get a hog ring on. I could have got more hog rings on if I had some 90 degree hog ring pliers in addition to the straight pliers.
Still holding after 3 years

 

I recently helped the SIL replace some of the 'zip-ties' someone used to install the new covers in his Blazer - they were starting to fail where they rubbed on the metal and come loose.
I used Hog-rings to replace all I could find or get to ...
I've never had a Hog-ring fail :noway:

 

That is my input as well. Tie wraps will fail much quicker than hog rings. Use them temporarily to do the tighten-up and place hog rings in their place.

 

I just finished recovering my 69 standard drivers seat. Hog rings only work on the inside listings of you use a thin support (like burlap) or else you cannot reach the listing from underneath through the layers.

I used jute carpet padding as the foundation from the springs to foam. Hog ringed the jute to the springs, and then spray glued the blue padding to the jute and then the foam. I used long tie wraps (14 or so inches) for the inside listings and hog rings for everything else. I built up edges with cotton batting to get the correct profile I wanted. Pulled the tiewraps tight a little at a time to get it even and then stretched the sides.

Compared to the seat back, the seat bottom was a breeze! The seat bottom was about 7 tiewraps per side. The seat back was more like 25 total and the top most lip where the headrest was a pain. I could bearly reach the tiewraps behind the metal frames, there is no way I could do it with a hog ring.

Its not perfect, but not bad for my first time. The pass side will go quicker Time will tell how long the tie wraps last.

 

Yes it can be a PITA... but use the rings :yes:

 

Hog rings!

Don't even mess with the pliers that come with the upholstery kit. Go to Sears or NAPA and get a good set. You'll need a good pair of wire cutters for the hog rings that you mess up and and getting the old ones off. Been there, done that.

 

I actually used mini bolt cutters on the rings because it was to hard to cut with the tips of dikes. My hog ring pliers are from Blue Point, I don't recommend them.

 

Hog rings. Actually pig rings or shoat rings are a better size. I used pig rings on mine.

hog = big
shoat = medium
pig = small

and for what it's worth, I used some 9 guage galvanized wire to repair a broken frame section

 

I only recovered the back seat and used tie wraps, two at each point. The easy way to do it would be to do one tie wrap at each point first to get everything on then go back with hog rings. It's a lot easier to use the zip tie to draw the cover up to where it needs to be, at least if you're working by yourself and the cover is tight...unless you're a chimp.

Either way you chose, lay the cover out in the sun for a few hours.

 

Thanks for all the info. I'll use the rings with the help of tie wraps.

 

Use the Tie wraps to do the initial positioning of the covers to the seats, start to adjust the covers so the fit is correct and then one by one pull the tie wraps tight, adjusting the covers as you go. Then, when everything is adjusted and fits correct, start replacing the tie wraps with the hog rings. Install a ring, remove the tie wrap, etc. The tie wraps allow for adjustment and fit, the rings are better long term.

 

I saw a tool that can be used to help with pulling the wires that you can't get to easily. These are the ones that everyone says to use tie wraps for.

The tool looked like a wire T. The top of the T was a handle and at the foot of the T was a little J hook to grab the wire so you could pull it. Seemed pretty simple.

I just wish I could remember where I saw it....