I need to get my seats in my 1949 Pontiac redone and not sure what route is best. Should I just buy the kits from JC Whitney and rip off old and put new fabric on (my buddy did this with his 60 belair and it turned out pretty nice for around $200) or do I find a shop and spend more and have it done professionally? I just want a plain black vinyl pleated seat for front and back nothing fancy or exotic. Anyone have good source or idea what shops charge to do front and rear seats simple way? I am in Pittsburgh, PA would be willing to drive a little bit to get quality work too.
How nice is the car? If you're running primer on a daily driver, the JC whitney kit would probably look OK, nothing fancy for sure but if you put them on correctly there decent. Every once in a while an NOS set of replacement seat covers from the 50's comes up for sale on Ebay and they usually sell for about $50, I always watch for them. If this is a nice finished car with chrome and paint, or if you plan on it ever being nice and finished, have the upholstery professionally done. there's a local place here that does completes for $3K, including seats, door panels, carpet and headliner. If I'd ever dig out my sewing machine and do a little refresher practice, I'd do it for you way cheaper.
When i had my camaro seats redone it was 160$ not including the seatcovers, and the guy died some panels for me that were scratched up also included in that price. the seats came out great but he died my plastic an off color.
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