Re-upholstery

[wetminkey]

So,...I was going to provide an idea of what kind of costs I incurred in upholstering my Spider,...
Major driver's seatframe repairs + shipping came to about $475
Repair of the foam buns cost me about $70 in materials
And the pre-sewn upholstery was $420 to my door
Rear seat was easy. Front seat vinyl was sewn to fit over new foam buns (I believe), but can be altered to fit, as I did. The vinyl is of remarkable quality. The installation looks JUST like the factory did it. I'm quite pleased.
I will post pics of the seats/panels in the car when I can (I'm set to add color to my seatbelts with red dye tomorrow, and I'll wait to reinstall them first).
Best of luck with your re-upholstery project!
Todd Compton.

[PaulC]

Need to pull this all into one file for the library.
We also had to modify as we went to get our upholstery to fit.
Finally have up and brought the front seat backs and headrest to an upholstery shop for fitting.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I'm set to add color to my seatbelts with red dye tomorrow, and I'll wait to reinstall them first.

Todd, what type of dye are you using? I need to recolor the seatbelts in my truck (from brown to black), but my wife says the usual fabric dyes like Rit work only on "natural" fibers like cotton or wool, but not very well on synthetic fabrics. I'm guessing the Fiat seatbelts are some type of polyester webbing?

-Bryan

[wetminkey]

Researched and found:
https://www.dharmatrading.com/dyes/dhar ... =dyes.html
citric acid (or vinegar) activated fabric dye. Water and 1 tsp powdered dye + 1/2 tbs citric acid,...simmer for 30 min.
Still drying, but color seems even and is a nice ruby red,...#440 Oxblood Red matches Fiat's red.
Dharma has a black for that truck of your's, Bryan,...

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Thanks, Todd, I'll check it out. There's some chemistry going on here, which me being a chemist by occupation, gets me all excited (no jokes, please). Nothing like ketones and acid-catalyzed hydrolysis reactions to get the blood pumping!

-Bryan

[RRoller123]

Chemistry, love it! Been following Tyler Dewitt on YouTube, he has a real talent for explaining complicated things so they can be easily (sort of) understood.

[wetminkey]

Here's the page that you'll be interested in:
https://www.dharmatrading.com/home/did- ... works.html
I got tired of chemistry during pre-med,...you guys have fun!
Belts look good,...

[Frankd1]

Great job Todd!

were these the guys you got the seat covers from?
https://www.carupholsteryguys.com/categ ... w?cat=2424

[wetminkey]

That is correct, Frankd1. And thank you very much for the complement!
I bought the 1979 - 1985 covers for my car, of course: https://www.carupholsteryguys.com/categ ... w?cat=2038
But, because of my car's date of manufacture, and the differences that I have seen in the new upholstery, I wonder if the 1978 upholstery would have fit it better? Again, the rear seat and headrests fit fine, but the front seat bottoms seemed meant to fit a larger diameter seat. And my seatbelts have stickers dated 13 December '78, seats are stamped February '79. Is it possible that the '68 - '78 had a slightly larger seat bottom?
I also found it better to attach the front seat back upholstery in a way other than factory,...but that could be expected anyway. Odd factory attachments,...
My Spider is reassembled now, but it was cold and gray today, so I did not attempt a picture. I'll post one of the completed interior ASAP. I'm quite pleased.
Best of luck with your upholstery jobs, and please let me know if I can answer any questions or help. I always answer to Private Messaging on this site.
Todd.

[Frankd1]

Thanks Todd!
It could be a year thing, mine is a mid 78 with a manufacture date 05-78, so I'm in a transition year where things started to change over to the 79 model.
I should check my seats and belts and see what they are stamped with.
My interior is out as I continue with my restoration.

I'll send you a pm!

[wetminkey]

Since I can't even find my OWN link, in this thread, I'll re-post it here. Sierra Vinyl, available by the yard:
https://www.convertibletopguys.com/conv ... ries-Tools
Vinyl that matches Fiat's 1979: #5110 dark red Sierra vinyl
Also, about everything that you can think of for convertible top, and upholstery, installation,...
Their main page has tops:
https://www.convertibletopguys.com/
Upholstery:
https://www.carupholsteryguys.com/
Paint that matches Fiat's 1979 and the #5110 vinyl: Rust-Oleum satin Claret Wine (paint and primer, "Ultracover", 249083)

I found paper stickers on the back of each of the seatbelt return-mechanisms with printed dates, and a yellow paint-stamp on the bottom of the frame of each seat. I posted a pic of one of the stamps in my OTHER related thread, "Seat back repair" (also in this Restoration section). I also found dates on the seat buns - a pic of one is posted in this thread.
Thanks for the PM, Frankd1. Glad you mentioned it, so I could re-post the links. I found carupholsteryguys.com to be good people to work with, and they have very nice products at very nice prices!
Pic ASAP,...

[wetminkey]

It's too cold in the garage to lower the canvas top further, and install the cover for the top, so I put it down enough to get this pic:

Best I could do, today. Those are the original 1979 door panels and center console.
I'll post a better pic later,...

[Frankd1]

beautiful!