How To Reupholster Seats

Work outward and hog-ring along the sides as shown.

Rolling the vinyl over is the toughest aspect of seat bottom/cushion upholstery. We guarantee blisters and carpal tunnel syndrome. Lancaster Auto Interiors uses both silicone spray and plastic to ease installation. Use heat to make the vinyl flexible, but not too much heat.

Once you've overcome getting the vinyl wrinkle free and secure, hog-ring beginning down the sides as shown. You may have to pull out the hog rings and try again. The objective should be smooth vinyl and no creases.

Steam heat is the key to smoothness and flexibility. Get the vinyl good and warm, and then spank it to walk out those wrinkles.

Here, the Vinyl upholstery has been removed from the seat back and the foam is being removed. Because the burlap appears pretty solid, we're going to leave it intact.

Lancaster Auto Interiors uses the same heavy-duty cloth to provide support. Burlap was there originally to support the foam and quiet seat spring action. The cloth is hog-ringed to the frame as shown.

Foam is fitted to the frame with the same careful attention applied to the seat bottom because rolling vinyl over this foam takes a lot of determination. Spray the foam with silicone for lubrication and use a plastic trash bag as a slip-slider bearing between vinyl and foam. Slits are cut in the grooves to make way for hog rings.

Lancaster Auto Interiors marks a datum line, which is dead center in the foam as a reference point for vinyl installation. This is a good practice for all seat upholstery operations.

Seat back upholstery is hog ringed around the inside as shown, which is very stressful when you're using new foam. It's very challenging to penetrate the foam, which is why you must cut slits about every 3-4 inches in the grooves.

Rolling the vinyl over is the toughest stretch. Steam has been applied along with silicone and plastic. Caution must be applied to ensure you don't tear the vinyl.

It took two experienced people at Lancaster Auto Interiors to roll this vinyl over and get it secure. Use steam heat to work out the wrinkles.

Side by side, you can see the difference. If you're not up to doing this yourself, most upholstery shops charge anywhere from $250 to $400 to reupholster front buckets and rear seat.

Vinyl is hog ringed to the seat frame and spring structure.

Seat back installation involves prying the pivot arm out just enough to clear the pin. Cardboard washers go between the arm and seat to prevent chaffing.

Who Says You Won't Learn Something?
We found this tag inside the rear seat, which indicates the original supplier - Allen Industries in Compton, California, some 400 miles from Ford's Milpitas, California (San Jose) assembly plant where our Frost Turquoise hardtop was assembled. We looked up Allen Industries but it appears to be gone now or moved out of state. This tag indicates 10 pieces altogether, or 10 identical Mustang seat frames ordered under the same part number. Note the 1964 part number - Mustang rear seat frames didn't change through 1968.