Installing Heritage Seat Kit - Bottom Cushions

[Jersey]

I am stuck. I don't know how to attach the leather to the back of the metal seat pan. I have the clips for the front and sides, but I don't see how to attach the leather in the back.

There is a 2 inch gap between the seat foam and the back of the seat pan so I am wondering if I attach the leather to the inside of the seat pan (i.e. tack strip?).

If I take the leather over the back edge of the seat pan that will interefere with the 3 metal tabs that hold the seat pan in place.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Jersey

 

[Keoke]

I am stuck. I don't know how to attach the leather to the back of the metal seat pan. I have the clips for the front and sides, but I don't see how to attach the leather in the back.

There is a 2 inch gap between the seat foam and the back of the seat pan so I am wondering if I attach the leather to the inside of the seat pan (i.e. tack strip?).

If I take the leather over the back edge of the seat pan that will interefere with the 3 metal tabs that hold the seat pan in place.

----YEP and that is the way it is done. I have then seen the leather Pop Riveted to the bottom of the seat pan as well as anchored using the barbs stamped into the seat pan bottom.

Maybe someone has a piccy so you can see how it is done.--Keoke

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Jersey

 

[Jersey]

I have seen the pop rivet approach and can do it that way...I just worry that taking the leather over the back of the frame will gradually weaken and get torn under the pressure the 3 metal tabs that hold the seat pan in place.

Perhaps I should bend the tabs up or at least cover them so the don't cut into the leather.

Any thoughts?

Jersey

 

[Keoke]

I have seen the pop rivet approach and can do it that way...I just worry that taking the leather over the back of the frame will gradually weaken and get torn under the pressure the 3 metal tabs that hold the seat pan in place.

Perhaps I should bend the tabs up or at least cover them so the don't cut into the leather.----

Any thoughts? ---Yep it is a bugger of a way to do it but that's the way it is done be careful putting the seat in place and keep the leather well treated. Similarly, make sure the bottom seat fits well inside the bottom seat frame or you will cut the leather along the front of the frame and seat bottom too.-- --Keoke

Jersey

 

[davidb]

Hey Jersey

I recovered my BJ8 seat bottoms last spring, altho I used the Moss kit in vinyl. I also recovered my BT7 seat bottoms several years ago. Keoke is correct in that the leather/vinyl butts right up against the 3 metal tabs of the seat frame. As a suggestion, I wouldn't rivet the leather to the seat pan - it may tear. In fact I only used the toothed clips to secure the front of the seat cover to the front of the seat pan. Everwhere else I used contact cement - back and sides. I applied the cement to the vinyl, let it set up, and then applied a second coat. It may be a liitle more time consuming, but it's held up very nicely on both cars, with no signs of fatigue. You can always re-do it if it comes apart somewhere down the line, and you won't have to repair the rips and tears from the toothed clips. Make sure that you re-cover the edges of the seat frame to soften the effect of the seat pan rubbing up against the seat frame. This is typically where you might get a lot of wear.

Oh, and yes...you do cover the 3 metal tabs when you re-cover the edges of the seat frame.
And that's my 2 cents worth.

Cheers
Dave

 

[andybj8]

Cannot help with the back picture, but heres a few of my original leather seats being stripped:

https://www.austin-healey3000.com/apps/photos/album.jsp?albumID=482128&pagerOffset=2

it also shows details such as the bottom frame covered in vinyl, how the padding was built up etc. I do have more pics of the rear seats somewhere showing their padding, stitching etc

 

[Jersey]

Thanks for the advice from all...between the advice and a bottle of scotch, I think I can do this.

The pictures are invaluable...particularly because in am inheriting and restoration that was not done well ... they actually used floor carpet tacks to attach the leather to the seat bottom...bizarre.