How-To Install New Seat Upholstery

The next several captions show the cover being installed on the seat over the bun. First, the cover is stretched over the edge of the seat by hand.

The first corner is stretched onto the seat like this.

Then, the other side of the front is stretched into place.

The cover is then stretched and smoothed over the top before it is secured at the back of the seat bottom.

Now the cover can be attached at the back of the seat bottom.

Once the cover is stretched over the seat bun, the listing wire (from the old upholstery) is installed.

After a little more smoothing of the cover to ensure it's completely in place, it's held firmly in position with a series of hog rings around the bottom of the seat. At this point, the seat bottom is finished.

As with the bottom, the seatback has numerous small components that need to be removed. Then, removal of the old cover can begin, as shown here.

The headrests need to be removed. Use a screwdriver to release the catch that holds the headrest in place in the seat.

Once the headrest is out, remove the plastic sleeve in the seatback. This tab holds the sleeve in place; it's pressed in with a screwdriver to allow removal of the sleeve.

With the seatback dissembled, the old hog rings are pulled to allow removal of the old cover and seat bun.

After the seatback is taken down to the bare frame and new burlap is installed, the buns are given a coat of adhesive and set in place on the frame. The top of the new bun lines up directly with the smaller bun on the other side of the seatback.