Replacing Skins on seats- Hog Rings & Pliers- Coupla questions

[CMG]

I have finally gotten around to tackling this project. I bought some vintage reupholstering tools to properly position and seat the oem hog rings. This is for e30 m3 but the hog rings bmw used were real small and I ended up having to just use good wire cutters to cut them then needle nose to remove them. The foam is pretty sturdy but still be aware to not scrape, bend or cut stuff if you do this. Also, it appears that the contours of the seats are held down by hog rings on bars across the foam. That's the point where I am at now is cutting those hogrings. And before I talk about my experience removing the seat belt buckle trim piece please share if you've done that before.

[tomstin]

Link any other job on these cars, the right tool goes a long way to making the job easier. There are many ways to get this job done but professionals use hog rings and hog ring pliers for a reason. To each his own.

[CMG]

The special pliers come into play to accurately tighten the hog rings to various degrees of tightness, and to round in the sharp edges of the end of the hog rings so it doesn't poke stuff.

I reskinned some cloth iS seats and just used some offset needle nose pliers to twist the hog rings open, then closed them again afterward. Was really easy, not sure how special pliers could make it any easier, although a few spare rings would be nice if you have rusty seats, or you break any.

[TrentW]

Zip ties.

No one sees them.

But you know they're there.

[Northern]

I reskinned some cloth iS seats and just used some offset needle nose pliers to twist the hog rings open, then closed them again afterward. Was really easy, not sure how special pliers could make it any easier, although a few spare rings would be nice if you have rusty seats, or you break any.

[CMG]

It's not that difficult, we're all DIYers right?. I'm not rich and I don't like to dump needless money into a car. I just like to know what to expect and have proper tools to save time. I have a plan now just need to find the time to do it, got a bag of oem hog rings and various pliers and got some advice on how to prep and install. I'm normally not that anal about my cars but this car is hopefully an investment car so only genuine bmw will do. But as for an e36 alcantara hurricane rear seat that I am going to recover the zip tie trick is great advise.

[Old city bimmer]

was starting to experiment on some old seats and this some good info on the hog rings.

[jeffnhiscars]

I'm just saying, if I bought an e30 m3 and went to redo the seats and found zip ties instead of hog rings, I would be livid.

If I had an M3 and was thinking about pulling the seats apart, I'd either know about hog rings or I'd take it to a shop...but that's just me

[Das Delfin]

I'm just saying, if I bought an e30 m3 and went to redo the seats and found zip ties instead of hog rings, I would be livid.

[BMWManiac]

Umm, yeah but this is an e30 m3 we're talking about so don't think zip ties will do.

So? No one sees it, gets the job done?

[tomstin]

I used the Eastwood hog rings and pliers, both straight and curved pliers. Only used the curve a few times but having both came in handy. Buy yourself a good pair of cutters to cut the old hog rings. Also, patience, patience, patience on the first seat. Its not hard like rocket science, but it is tough on your hands and wrists. Have a few band-aids handy. Also, take a lot of pictures of the seats before you start. Try to keep your hands as clean as possible on the installation.

[CMG]

Umm, yeah but this is an e30 m3 we're talking about so don't think zip ties will do. I looked into a shop doing it and they were talking bout a couple hundred dollars so going to do it myself but reading up a little to make sure I do it right. I'm also searching about ways to possibly soften the old leather on the natur covers I'm pulling off to see if I can also sew the top splits back together before I pull it off.

[Big swifty]

I've always just used zip ties. Have done numerous vehicles without issue over 20+ years.

[CMG]

Sweet, thanks for the tips and the link.

[TrentW]

I got the OEM hog rings from BMW so I should have what I need to do it. Is there a process to getting it on nice and tight? Like do I put on just the corners then work in a x pattern back and forth. I've never used hog rings before so don't know if they are squeezed into one size or if you have to squeeze them to just the appropriate tension

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPc50t8AdCw

Start by first attaching the sections that pull the material into the curves on the mid-section of top and bottom seat foams. (If you're doing the rear seat). I used two hog rings attached to each other for this.

Then start in the middle and work your way out. Heat gun on low setting is your friend here. Be careful!