78 Midget Seat Upholstry Install

[Blueghost]

Moss kit w/ new bottom foam & diaphragm. Tips for better installation. Due to time limitations, want to do driver bottom 1st, and follow up a month or two later with back. Moss instruction sheet shows seat back 1st. Question 1; Is this really necessary??? Don't see why, but will do back 1st if necessary.

Seat bottom removed. Seems like after install of new foam and cover that it would be good to put 1/4 inch plywood sheet over seat bottom and pull down/compress slightly (1/2-3/4 inch) with straps before gluing to rails and installing clippy-dippys. This should make bottom snug/tight. Don't see any suggestions to that regard in 'seat upholstery' search. Don't find any step-by-step on seat upholstery. I am not an upholstery guy, and don't want want to reinvent the wheel on this job. Upholstery people have lots of secrets that make them do the job better than the rest of us wrenches. Question 2; any help on seat upholstery stet-by-stem late model midget???

Driver seat back doesn't get a lot of abuse as compared to seat bottom. Did not buy back foam. Without removal, I now think back foam may be lumpy/marginal. Back foam is about $100, 2 1/2 times price of bottom. Question 3; Is back normally OK?? (105K miles) Happy to spend $100 if really makes a difference.

Passenger seat no cracks/tears and foam feels OK. Question 4, after 35 years are you supposed to just bite the bullet and spend the money, or is passenger seat bottom and back foam usually not necessary???

 

[Jim_Gruber]

With BE Seats trick is to slip a plastic garbage bag over seat back to make back easier to slip on. Remnants of back easily torn away later I'm told.

I went with new foam for the seat base along with a new diaphragm when I fixed the original High Back Seats in Bugsy I. Replacing diaphragm and foam in base really made a big difference in comfort. Still wasn't happy with comfort though and instead of new vinyl I got a set of Miata Seats for $150. Sooooo much more comfortable and supportive. I sat in the seat rather than perched atop an over stuffed cushion.

 

[Blackjokr]

Jim,

I did mine years ago..full strip down with te same kit. If I remember correctly, the reason for it had something to do with the clips maybe? They do come on and off but its vinyl and if I remember correctly runs the risk of damage upon removing after installation. Mine were actually pretty simple and to be honest after I de-rusted the frames and the new black paint dried, the installation was pretty simple. Was a full tear down with new webbing, foam and vinyl. it took me less than 2 hours if I remember correctly to do the whole seat and they looked FABULOUS and this was my first try ever with no upholstery skills. Many compliments.

 

[Blackjokr]

oh and one last suggestion!! if you can find a materials store that sells large pieces of foam, buy it there and cut it yourself!! teh prices for a piece of foam from the big guys is ridiculous and its nothing more than a quick cut. I could hav saved tons if i knew that in advance