[CDavis724]

This weekend I'll be changing the standard upholstery in my 66 to the pony upholstery with the reproduction foam as well. Besides laying the upholstery in the sun before I start, do you guys have any tips for me before I start? Thanks alot.

[snaranjo]

1) Take lots of pictures as you remove the old upholstery so you can remember how it goes back together. 2) Cut short slots in the foam where it contacts the listing wires so you are not searching for those wires through 1 inch of solid compressed foam 3) be patient when pulling the corners down around the frame - its easy to be too aggressive and rip the covers 4) use a spray bottle with water and a hair dryer to smooth out any wrinkles - they tend to develop in the pleated areas at the tops of the seats. Good luck!

[CDavis724]

yeah the listing wires are the only thing im worried about but hopefully it'll turn out good...i'll just take my time and hope it comes out good

[gordie]

You have spent a lot of money on those Pony seats and they are probably the hardest part of the conversion to do. A professional upholsterer would not charge much to install them perfectly while you wait. Good luck!

[drummingrocks]

Good luck with it. I've upholstered several vintage Mustang seats, and new foam makes the job MUCH more difficult.

In addition to laying the covers out in the sun, you might also want to buy a can of silicone spray. It's an aerosol-based lubricant we use at our shop; spray it on, it stays slick for about 20 seconds, and once it evaporates, all traces of it are gone.

Also, Eastwood sells special upholstery pliers; these are meant to equally distribute the pulling/stretching capacity of the cover. I've bought a pair and they're definitely a handy addition.

Other than that, go slow, and try not to force anything within reason. It's the easiest thing in the world to split a new cover at the seam by applying too much pressure in one area.

[CDavis724]

got my rear seats finished and they look great. No wrinkles and very tight so very pleased with those. Got started on my passenger seat and almost done with it but ran out of light. One thing I've realized is that it sure is frustrating trying to hog ring the listing wires because they hog ring right under the set frame so it's hard getting the hog ring pliers in there at the right angle to catch them through the foam.

[snaranjo]

Great to hear the project is moving along. I did the rear seats first too and that helped me gain confidence for the more difficult front seats. I know what you mean about the listing wires. The listing wires should be solidly attached to the frame and so all you need to do is connect with the wire - not the frame underneath.

[CDavis724]

yeah i knew the rear seats would be pretty easy since its just hog ringing the outer perimiter so I also did it that way to gain confidence heading into the front seats. Hopefully I can finish my passenger seat tom. and get started on my driver seat.

[drummingrocks]

I know it's probably too late now, but they make a special pair of curved hog ring pliers. I've had mine for a few years now, and they make life much easier, especially in hard to reach spots!

[Cobra6]

Where can I get some decent Hog-ring pliers? (including the curved ones)

Mustangs Unlimited sells these - I know they are bette rthan the basic straight ones - has anyone used them????

[CDavis724]

those are the kind that im using and they work great...i got those and a bag of 520 hog rings for really cheap from mustangs unlimited...they were the lowest price out of virginia classic and mustangs plus and im very happy with what i got.

[drummingrocks]

Originally Posted by Cobra6

Where can I get some decent Hog-ring pliers? (including the curved ones)

Eastwood Company: Auto Tools, Body Repair, Classic Car Restoration, House of Kolor Paint, Powder Coating

Be prepared to become an addict to this site. All sorts of restoration/speciality tools.