DIY: seat reupholstering

[phenryiv1]

[D]o you know where good foam can be located so we can replace the worn crap in the car?

Best thing to do is to buy a spare passenger seat. The bolsters are the same, but the foam in the passenger left bolster(s) will most likely be in great shape, as will that in your existing driver's side right bolster(s). That should be the easiest way to get good foam for re-covering.

There is also a great article on e30tech or on here about using new foam to rebuild Recaro seats. The process will be the same for stock sport seats.

[nmlss2006]

I think yo u can buy them from BMW, actually. The only part #s I can't find are the backrest ones, the rest are on RealOEM.
I'd STRONGLY advise replacing any foam, after 20 years any foam you can harvest from old seats has nothing to do with the original shape or density.

[Tricked 323i]

I want to do this, too, but I'm not sure if a regular sewing machine can handle the leather. My grandmother was a seamstress so I have learned to sew over the years.. just never worked with leather.

Anyone's thoughts on leather thru a less-than-industrial machine?

You will have difficulties putting leather through a non industrial machine. You can do vinyl and cloth though.
Kevin

[barry]

Spray glue

Spray glue is iffy even when you spray both contact pieces. Get some 3m glue. Also preparation is important.
Good Luck
Barry

[ThreeTwentyFissel]

what about the stitching part?

[NV325i]

Trying this myself, but the middle sections of the sport seats are stapled to the foam. the staples flare out on the sides to prevent from being pulled out. Does any one know what kind of stapler does this...

[a2coupe2a]

post like this make my head hurt... The fit on these covers is terrible. I mean if the OP is happy with it thats all that matters but wow.. would really like to see the quality of this leather too since the price of cheap auto grade leather alone would be 3-400.

[NV325i]

The fit is real nice on the set I have. It's a vinyl/leather mix wasn't a cheap kit ($900). Other comparable kits out there are around $1100. Just curious what staper is used to attach to foam.

[IRON-E]

post like this make my head hurt... The fit on these covers is terrible. I mean if the OP is happy with it thats all that matters but wow.. would really like to see the quality of this leather too since the price of cheap auto grade leather alone would be 3-400.

Lol, dude lowballers gonna lowball!, they will never understand the price of quality work. Main reason why our economy, is in the shithole we are in.

[Eddie Haskell]

DanTwoLakes at this site is a professional and has taken his time to explain. His tutorials explain the craftmanship and construction very well. Heed his words when he states the proper equipment ie machine, speed, thread and such are your outcome will be questionable after a short length of time.

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/archive-interior-tutorials-209127.html

http://www.hotrodders.com/kb/interior-7/

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/truck-seat-upholstery-tutorial-118011.html

[NV325i]

So...back to the stapler. Any one know what kind of stapler BMW used to attach the center sections of the sport seats?

[humzak77]

Does anyone have a link on how to remove your drivers side seat from a 1991 318i. Its hard to get the back bolts out because i cant get my tools in there. The seat wont go any further and the bolts are still under the seats. PM me if you have any idea on how to do it.

[Silvertip]

My combo wrenches' box ends were narrow enough to fit inside the rails and do the job.

[Kershaw]

the seat should slide forward enough that you can easily use a 1/2" socket wrench with a 17mm socket. try some extensions possibly. when i removed my driver seat i used a lot of wd40 and a hand sledge to knock the rails back and forth until they slide smoothly.

as for the cheap products, i'd do it do. i dont care too much about the bends kinking too much or the quality of the vinyl. is it ripped? nope. ok, good to go.