Guys, I am thrilled to announce I have completely restored both seats. I stripped those rusty, moldy ^$&$@#^ seats down and derusted and built them up back from the ground up. They are beautiful (if I may so myself) and its really NOT that hard to do (this was my first time doing ANY kind of car upholstery in my life). Plus if you order the free manual from Victoria British it sure helps! Now, I just wanted to post some thoughts on the matter.
1. It's pretty easy but be prepared to get dirty
2. Take your time and REMOVE THAT RUST!!
3. Primer (Rustoleum car primer is nice) before you repaint the frames! Give them a protective rust coating (Phosporic Plus from Home Depot before the primer. Buy a spray bottle and spray liberally. ALLOW TO DRY!!
liberally)!!
4. Rustoleum Black gloss worked great on the frames. SPRAY EVERYTHING IN LIGHT COATS over and over until done. DO NOT RUSH IT!!! Make it neat and sweet. LET IT DRY OVERNIGHT!!
5. My under THE seat frame rails got bent when they removed them from the car. With a 2x4 block of wood, a mallet and some elbow grease they straightened right up and work nicely. I painted them black. Or you can opt for the $20/each replacements from Moss Motors.
6. Moss Motors has a 6 month return policy!! woo hoo! no need to rush!
7. Use a HAIRDRYER to heat new webbing! It will stretch much easier.
8. Also, if you wrinkle the vinyl, just get a hairdryer and apply heat to it. Watch that wrinkle disappear!
9. I bought my black vinyl covers from Moss Motors. they are nice but once on you can see the imperfections in the stitching. Not quite so straight all the time (I am a perfectionist) and it annoyed me. Anyway don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy it! All in all it cost me about 1/2-3/4 what a single brand new seat would cost so the effort was worth it. Side note, I called the auto restoration shop. They hope to have her completely dismantled and stripped for bodywork this weekend..KEEP YOUR PRAYERS FOR ME! The Pony has been in there since July!!
https://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/lmelogra/1979%20MG%20Midget/
1. It's pretty easy but be prepared to get dirty
2. Take your time and REMOVE THAT RUST!!
3. Primer (Rustoleum car primer is nice) before you repaint the frames! Give them a protective rust coating (Phosporic Plus from Home Depot before the primer. Buy a spray bottle and spray liberally. ALLOW TO DRY!!
liberally)!!
4. Rustoleum Black gloss worked great on the frames. SPRAY EVERYTHING IN LIGHT COATS over and over until done. DO NOT RUSH IT!!! Make it neat and sweet. LET IT DRY OVERNIGHT!!
5. My under THE seat frame rails got bent when they removed them from the car. With a 2x4 block of wood, a mallet and some elbow grease they straightened right up and work nicely. I painted them black. Or you can opt for the $20/each replacements from Moss Motors.
6. Moss Motors has a 6 month return policy!! woo hoo! no need to rush!
7. Use a HAIRDRYER to heat new webbing! It will stretch much easier.
8. Also, if you wrinkle the vinyl, just get a hairdryer and apply heat to it. Watch that wrinkle disappear!
9. I bought my black vinyl covers from Moss Motors. they are nice but once on you can see the imperfections in the stitching. Not quite so straight all the time (I am a perfectionist) and it annoyed me. Anyway don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy it! All in all it cost me about 1/2-3/4 what a single brand new seat would cost so the effort was worth it. Side note, I called the auto restoration shop. They hope to have her completely dismantled and stripped for bodywork this weekend..KEEP YOUR PRAYERS FOR ME! The Pony has been in there since July!!
https://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/lmelogra/1979%20MG%20Midget/