i know this varies area to area... BUT, im thinking of redoing my interior.. tryin to figure out if i wanna go stock, or custom.. i can get a decent deal on all new stock stuff, and i can put that all in myself, with the exception of seat covers.. my front seat needs new foam and maybe some spring repair, idk for sure, just know its saggy... how much are you guys paying for something like this if i supply the covers themselves? basically paying for labor for the repairs and foam etc... im thikning of diong stock cause i love the stock colors (64 galaxie 2 tone blue), but also thinking of custom depending on how much i think stock will cost
It totally depends on what your seats need. Good foam is super expensive. Could be $100 or more for the front seat for good foam. As far as just installing seat covers you supply, $100 per seat isn't really out of line. But it's a lot easier than you think to do it. Get yourself a set of hog ring pliers and some hog rings for less than $30 and go at it. There's plenty of info on the netz for how to do it.
If you like the stock and don't realy care to have custom I would just do it your self. Your seats prpbably do not have foam, they are probably just springs. You would have to remove the existing covers and make sure no springs are broken and if they are just fix them. There is a ton here on the HAMB, try these http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=174&pp=20&page=3 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=4165
I've put repop seat upholstery on seats several times, and I've rebuilt seat frames by replacing bad springs with ones from a donor (usually a 4 door). This is something that you can do yourself. There is a Tex Smith book on doing your own upholstery, it's a worthwhile read, even just to learn how to stretch seat covers on. I've also learned that if your old seat foams are getting flattened out, you can add some batting to get the seat tight again, cut up old comforters work great for that (no loose fill). Also not a bad idea to put some wire mesh (think screen door) on your seat springs before you put the padding back on, keeps mice from chewing it up from underneath.
There is an auto upholstery group here...you might ask there... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=174
wow you guys have some really great ideas here.... now I know where these seats come from when I'm tearing down some of this **** !!
No with that out of the way . Touchdowntodd... A real interior shop will look at your project as whats needed to do the job correctly. If you bring in a broken down ripped up piece of junk thats been laying out in the yeard for a few years... you're gonna expect to pay some big bucks for new stuff. if you're going with a pair of buckets say out of a 70 chevelle and you're doing new seat foams and covers expect to pay 100-150 per seat to install the kit. Now thats installed correctly with warrenty on workmanship also !!!
wow, so its that easy ? they dont make replacement foam that I know of (correct me here if there is premade stuff for a 64 galaxie BENCH, i see a LOT for buckets)... but i wouldnt mind doing it myself if it wasnt for that... im a little put off by the idea of buying the right foam and making sure i make a good decision that way..
Stock upholstery sets have become a coin toss. An expected 8hr job can easily double by the time you tie it all down and find that it needs to come off and be re-tailored to fit. Even the more reknowned suppliers are slippin here n there. Some foam sets are genaric but not impossible. An old electric carving knife works well for that. Saying it's easy is a relative term. Doable and easy are different animals. Interiors are where you'll spend your time in the car. You can't escape it. Get the best work and mat'l you can afford and you'll never be sorry.
highlander is correct in saying that the stock kits have become a coin toss. Most of them have become a little more ... economy minded if you will !! If I were you and not knowing ... I would hit some Galaxie and Ford forum site's (Galaxie club is one I found in my first search) sounds like a strip club from the 70's !! and ask around to those guys who's done what and who they have used. most will be more than happy to share there both good and bad experience's . This thread can go on and on about the pro's and con's of self install versus shops and suppliers quality and there materials.....
So much of it depends on the shop. You get places that live off recon work for a handful of car/boat/RV dealers, and they tend to gouge the walk ins. Or you get old timey wizards who do excellent work and price the labor like it's 1990. And everything in between. If you're at the right shop, custom will cost less than stock if you don't spiral the cost thru material choice. And like all hired jobs, the most expensive way sometimes involves picking based on low price, being unsatisfied, then redoing. So ask around and see what's going on locally, and if you can afford that shop...........don't worry bout what the others cost. good luck
i can get about everything i need from dearborn for $1200-1400 i need (carpet, dash cover, door panels, seat covers, a few new handles) .... plus figuring $500 for someone to refoam and put the new upholstery on the seats im still in under $2k and that seems like i cant get custom for that much from what ive seen.. i can for sure do everything but the seats by myself, i mean who couldnt... so i can save a lot on labor there vs just dropping the car off at a shop... its a coin toss i guess.. my issue is whenever i see a car with a nice clean stock interior, i just figure the guy started with a nice stock car.. but for 60s cars i REALLY like the stock interiors.. how do you improve on a few shades of blue and silver trim?
By following the stock themes & colors with slightly different materials. Sort of like stock turned up to eleven good luck
CJSteak here on the HAMB had the seat in his '62 Willys pickup redone professionally here in Austin. It was a total overhaul replacing all but the frame and springs, which he made some repairs to beforehand. New, modern foam was used with a very nice simulated leather. S***ch work was very basic, piping only, stock for the truck. $600 I have seen the before and after, ridden in the truck in both conditions, he got his money's worth. Not cheap but certainly good. PM him for pics if you care to see it.
scottybaccus, that's prety much right. We did a 2 tone yellow seat for a 50s Ford, no major foam work, pleated center panels, and it was $550 mat'ls and labor. Took about a day and the customer left with a bolt-in seat. Also earlier this year we did front and rears for an early Rambler with the customer's mat'ls and some front seat foam repair, had to sew up correct replacement covers in a simple OEM pattern. That was around $1600. Just under 30hrs. On the other hand we also did a Packard with correct wool broadcloth and Bedford Cord ($85yd!!) and wool carpets for just over $15K, 2 complete seat builds, 4 door panels, headliner, all related panels, wireon and weltings to OEM specs. It looks like garndma's forbidden sofa and the customer couldn't be happier. So as has been said, it go from one extreme to the other. If you want a nod toward the stock seats, there's a higher resale value to a car with new stock interior. That doesn't matter now but...
Todd, you are going in the right direction for your money saving project. do it yourself till you know your limitations.... if you get in and find you can't do the covers .. stop (BEFORE IT'S A TOTAL BASKET CASE) find a reputable shop and spend some important trickledown economy money and get it done right the first time... thats what real retailshops are for .... I did say Real didn't I
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