TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:04 pm

I have an og int. 56 bug. The beading has separated from the seats in various places where the thread or stitching is torn or worn away. There are no tears in the stitch holes or seats. I went to 3 upholstery shops and they were all afraid the process of removing and turning the covers inside out to sew would just keep tearing and make it worse. I want to keep the orig. Has anyone dealt with this? thanks

Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:29 pm

Stover wrote: I have an og int. 56 bug. The beading has separated from the seats in various places where the thread or stitching is torn or worn away. There are no tears in the stitch holes or seats. I went to 3 upholstery shops and they were all afraid the process of removing and turning the covers inside out to sew would just keep tearing and make it worse. I want to keep the orig. Has anyone dealt with this? thanks

I have the same problem with my 56 passenger seat (was the driver seat). I look forward to seeing some replies.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:49 pm

I did this on my '57. It still has the original upholstery. My drivers seat was split. I honestly can't remember if I stitched it myself, or took it somewhere (its been about 10 years).

I would recommend taking the covers off yourself. You can see some detail on this at my site thebugshop.org as well as a thread in the split forum called "Zarwerks spy cam" where I have been posting a series of pics about an interior re-do on my '50.

Take you time and take the cover off the seat yourself. You can then either take it to an upholstery shop or stitch it yourself. The sites and pics above will give you some idea how the cover comes off if you don't know already. You can hand stitch the edges including the vinyl piping with a large "upholstery" needle.

I don't see why a good upholstery shop wouldn't be able to make the needed backside repairs once your covers are off... unless you find that that splitting is more than just stitching let loose....

Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:04 pm

Well my father owns a interior shop in Ca and regarding this issue he can usually stitch them up if the vinyl is not too crisp due to age or sun. Don't forget you have to run the cover under a heavy duty sewing machine so thats why most guys don't want to risk damaging the cover more than is may already be....you could always hand stich it. I know most shops don't like to take care of this kind of repair becuase of the risk of it ripping more or the fact that to sew a seam is only a few bucks for them.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:56 am

Hi,
I also recommend doing the task yourself. It isn't hard, just be careful and take your time in the removal and installation of the covers.

As already mentioned the area of most concern is rot along the existing seam and that your stitching didn't so much wear out as the vinyl rotted out allowing the stitching to come loose.

I wouldn't machine sew it if the stitching has truly rotted away. I'd carefully hand stitch it using the same holes that were originally made. That vinyl is old and punching new holes into it could very well weaken it further with so many more piercings.

Get some good heavy duty needles and heavy duty upholstery thread, not what you find in Kmart of Walmart but proper heavy thread.

Take your time and you'll be proud of what you were able to do! You might want to order new padding to put in when you reassemble the seats, it will help comfort and smell.

Dave

Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:58 am

Thanx for replies. dj keev and beetleluvr, i plan to d.y.i. just need to learn how to make stitch and tie off. Will go to any upholstery shop and ask questions.Hardest part will be removing covers.
I've pulled out most of carpet and have cleaned it up w/o much damage. ask how if int.
johnshenry- your're the 2nd guy I know that's done it. I meet a really cool old retired vw mech at a show-he does it -and everything- total old school too bad he's 200+ miles away around San Diego
my03yellowv- you are right- too much risk, too little dinero
Call me crazy but I like the old smell and look of og int.,more soulful. It has orig big M radio which I had repaired too.I just wish the rest of damn car was orig!

Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:03 pm

where abouts in torrance are you? I just bought a 57 ragtop with orginal rear seat covers.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:50 pm

I took a '66 Pontiac Lemans (Not VW I know) to Raul's Auto Trim in Ontario, CA and had the same issue. The drivers' seat had 2 bad panels (Top and Side). He found a match in one of his catalogs and told me to leave the car.

I picked it up a few days later and I swear you couldn't tell there was ever an issue. They unstitched the bad panels and replaced them with new panels, leaving the seat with it's good original material.

It looked like new, and nobody ever knew that the two panels were replaced.