front upholstery installation

[Video Bob]

I'm restoring my front and rear seats. Started by removing old upholstery, repairing loose springs, sandblasting and painting the frame and springs. I bought seat upholster from the Thing Shop in Charlotte at the Kubeltreffen East, but soon discovered that I also needed the horse hair padding. When it came in, there is also other materials in the box that I don't know how to use. Is there a website that describe the process of installing new upholstery? I probably should have ordered the install video too.
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Ya can't have too many Vdubs!
1956 Oval
1966 Beetle
1974 Thing
1974 Super Beetle
1976 Westy P22

[sword181]

If you order their catalog (free) they also send you a current DVD that has instructions for the seats and the top, also free. You can order off their web site. Have fun.

[Ferretkona]

That other material is probably the vinyl sheet that you lay over the springs first. The video mentions how the springs tore up the horse hair, you could always see the loose hair in the carpet in my old bugs.
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74 181 Thing
2008 Ford Sport Trac V8 4x4
2008 Ford Escape V6

[Video Bob]

Yeah. There were 4 vinyl sheets, 4 wool or felt sheets and the 2 cardboard type seat backs. All seem to be of high quality.
_________________
Ya can't have too many Vdubs!
1956 Oval
1966 Beetle
1974 Thing
1974 Super Beetle
1976 Westy P22

[Ferretkona]

The vinyl goes over the springs.
The wool is the last piece before you roll the cover over.
The cardboard faces the passengers in the rear.

I had a couple of small wrinkles from the wool, they went away after a couple weeks.
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74 181 Thing
2008 Ford Sport Trac V8 4x4
2008 Ford Escape V6

[Hobug]

Bob, I've got the J-Bugs video I used when I did my Thing seats and I have the Thing Shop video. I haven't seen that info on the Thing Shop video, but when I sat to watch it all the way thru...I fell asleep.
You are welcome to borrow either or both.
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73 Thing (Typ481)
76 Westy
69 Squareback auto
72 Super
63 Bug

[Video Bob]

Thanks. The Thing shop is sending me a copy of their DVD. If it doesn't clear up my questions, I will get with you on JBUG DVD.
_________________
Ya can't have too many Vdubs!
1956 Oval
1966 Beetle
1974 Thing
1974 Super Beetle
1976 Westy P22

[Itzathing]

I found this thread to VERY helpful when I did my seats. Lots and lots of pics.

http://www.volksrods.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15111

[caseydenise]

I ordered the covers and rebuild kit from The Thing Shop.
My question is how to clean and prep these frames and springs? I want them to last forever. Is there a way to do this myself? I was thinking of sanding, wire brushing, then por15 everything. I'm not sure how that stuff will hold up on moving springs.

I hope these are not too worn out. Nothing seems to be broke

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Central Jersey Volkswagen Society - President

[Video Bob]

For rust, bead blasting of the springs and frames is the only way to get into the cracks and crevices. The back rest adjustment and the seat front to back adjustment needs to be dismantled, cleaned and lubricated. Not an easy job as the "nail" holding the backrest adjuster is nearly impossible to get out. (I never did) For coating, powder coating is the best followed by etching primer followed by a good quality paint or POR15. Last forever?? Not likely!! I redid mine this summer and found that the back rest springs were unsalvageable and cost $90 each and did not include the backrest frame. Buying a restored set from the Thing Shop is a bargain if your time is worth anything. If you want to say, "I did it myself" go for it.
_________________
Ya can't have too many Vdubs!
1956 Oval
1966 Beetle
1974 Thing
1974 Super Beetle
1976 Westy P22

[yellow73kubel]

As a slightly less expensive alternative to the bead blasting, Eastwood sells a "rust converter" that can be sprayed through a garden sprayer. That should get the majority of the stuff.

For coating the springs, your best bet (short of powder coating), is going to be a tough paint finish (maybe a chassis paint), preferably heat treated. You can do that for a reasonable price, and it should last for a pretty long time.

Your springs aren't that rusty, so you should be able to fix them up pretty easily. I wouldn't worry about spending too much on it, as nothing you do is going to last forever with the constant rubbing of the springs.

[bigbussur]

Burlap is a great material that I use to cover the springs with, it is very durable. Never had an issue using it. Anthony