Recovering damaged leather on a cabrio sport seat

[parkerbink]

I have collected the leather I need to fix my damaged seats and am ready to r&r them.

I'm not feeling confidant, how should it fit?

IMG_9287 by phled1, on Flickr

IMG_9286 by phled1, on Flickr

IMG_9285 by phled1, on Flickr

IMG_9284 by phled1, on Flickr

[robrez]

I'm not sure what you're asking. But my seat project involved taking bolster leather from donor seats. The first time I fitted the donor leather to the foam from my seats. But I ran into fitment issues because of differences in shrinkage. Luckily I had kept the foam from the donor leather bolsters. All told, it worked out better that way. Hope that makes sense. Cliff notes, use the donor leather and foam, not just the leather.

[parkerbink]

This is the driver upper bolster, I got the leather without the foam, the foam is from a seat I got separately because my foam is horribly damaged.

I'm looking for how the seam is supposed to sit on the foam as well as what the best way to keep the metal frame work intact in the seat. I did not care about the old seat and just cut the metal "rods" which I need to reuse in the seat it is going on.

Thanks

This is why it needs to be replaced:
IMG_9074 by phled1, on Flickr

[jeffnhiscars]

Put the foam on the frame first, then fit all the tabs and bend them in place to hold one side of the leather. From there you can get the leather to sit right by pushing and shoving it. then use hog rings or zip ties to secure the other edge of the bolstermto the frame. If the wire you cut is the one that slides in to the bolster pocket, you'll want to fab one perhaps out of a coat hanger or welding rod. Bend the ends around to form a loop so you don't puncture your hide. The rods are a couple inches shorter than the pocket

My upholstery guy said he steamed the foam to "fluff" it up. I'd play with a worthless piece of foam if you decide to try this

[parkerbink]

The seats in the car are unmolested, I will take them apart uninvasively so I can reuse the parts.

Thanks as always you have the answers!