Reupholstering 412 seats - how to remove seat back upholstery?

[Stlywo]

Believe it or not, I got the seat back together and it is looking great! I’m about to start tackling the other one soon, hoping #2 will be a lot smooth now that I’ve been through this once. I’m planning to do it with a friend and we are going to document the endeavor, so the few out there who may want to follow suit at least have a few more bread crumbs to follow! Thanks again for the couple of folks who provided guidance, couldn’t have done it without your help and input.

Also, I’m moving the UK at the end of August and will need to find my 412 a nice new home. Anyone on this thread interested or know anyone in the market? Want her to end up in good hands.

[raygreenwood]

My apologies!. I have been traveling a lot. I will get pictures in the am. Ray

[Stlywo]

Yes! Still looking to find a way to attach it! No rush on getting over to your storage unit, whenever you have a chance! On the home stretch here, then just have to put all the pieces together! Slow but steady!

[raygreenwood]

[Stlywo]

Still plugging away at this, believe it or not. Slowly but surely!

Almost ready to reassemble everything (have taken pictures throughout and plan to post a complete entry on the process, when finished!) but have one quick question...

I’m having trouble with the J-hook on the bottom part of the seat! Is there a special tool for reattaching the J-hook to the bar?! I cannot seem to pull it over and get it to stay put! Any ideas?! Thanks!

[Stlywo]

These photos and instruction are amazingly helpful! Thanks for the thought and care you put into the reply! And sorry for the delay, had to move the seat out of the middle of my living room for some visitors and was able to return to it this weekend!

Very helpful to see everything laid out with the arrows. Pleased to report I am now 2/3rds of the way there. Have been able to get both sides off but the part along the top has me downright stumped still. It seems as if it won’t be a problem to just keep it attached while restoring the rest- as it’s not really in the way!

I’ll post photos as I progress, slowly but surely! Fingers crossed I can get it all back together!

Thanks again, really appreciate the thorough guidance and support!

Stacey!

[raygreenwood]

Ok...I hope these pics help some.

Ok the first part that Pbnjimages described as the "J-hook"....which is the inner plastic/rubber core that is sewn to the top flap of the seat cover that comes down the back right behind the head rest. Here is what it looks like:

Note the "J" hook in the upper right, the squeezable flexible nature of it...though its much harder with age...and note the threads where the cover was sewn to it on the right side.

Here is what it hooks to and where it goes:

Note the flat metal panel with the curled edge on the inside.

This is how the part is applied once the fabric is sewn to it.

Ok...the vertical part on each side...the "bullnose". I was not quite accurate from memory in its shape...but close!

The seat cover comes from the top left hand side.....wraps around the 6:00 position and you can see the threads where it was sewn at about 1:00 position.

This is standing behind the seat...this would be the orientation of the part when installed.

So...like the J-hook...you pull the cover backwards toward the back seat stretching it. Then hook the inside first all along the edge from top to bottom.....

Then.....do not fight it. Put your fingertips just on the inner side of the bull nose and PULL outward hard.....

and it will deform the plastic and it will pop over the tabs. Then you can slide it up and down to get it in the right position.

Ray

[Stlywo]

Thanks for the encouragement and also the further instructions, I wasn’t sure how I’d get it out!

Tap, tap, tap... boom, it fell out...

One step closer! Slow but steady!

Thank you!!

[pbnjimages]

Glad that worked out.

It's a big project, but I don't think you are over your head. I had never done upholstery before, except for pulling some seat covers on and hog ringing them 30 years earlier. Just go slow and take tons of pictures for your reference, and so you can help answer the next persons questions.

BTW, you can tap the hollow dowel out with a small Philips screw driver of you have nothing else.
_________________
1974 412 variant
1965 notchback S

[Stlywo]

I think you are right!!

Here’s a close up...

Sorry if I am asking silly questions, I am way over my head with this project...

Thank you!

[raygreenwood]

I tbibk you ard correct. I will know in the am. Ray

[pbnjimages]

are we looking at a hollow dowel pin maybe?

example below

_________________
1974 412 variant
1965 notchback S

[Stlywo]

Hmm... I can’t seem to find a screw anywhere. All I see in this little pin hole, can see right through it to the other side. What a puzzle. Any further hints?! I see the screw in the diagram but can’t actually see anything!

[raygreenwood]

[pbnjimages]

Ray, if you have an extra recline knob and chain, of love to concert my drivers seat.
_________________
1974 412 variant
1965 notchback S

[raygreenwood]

Yes there is a small set screw in the knob.

Also I found a few pieces I saved from dissecting one of these seats.

I have some close ups of the "bullnose" piece and the J-hook piece that Pbnjimages described. i will post in the am.

I will say one thing...you guys are brave working on these seats. They are nothing like any other VW seat ACVW. They are similar in many ways to some of the Dasher and quantum seats. Complex.

I have kept my seat frames. I have two sets. I have a good enough cover on one to make a pattern.

All of that being said and skill involved...and even though these are just about the most comfortable seats in any ACVW...I have been looking hard at putting Procar 90 seats....very close.....on the original seat slides and slaving on the original headrests.

The more you guys work the closer I get to probably restoring my own seats. Ray

[pbnjimages]

Okay the recliner knob. that rotates the chain, i am pretty sure that has a set screw or dowel. Like I said, my seats did not have the recline adjuster, but I have played with them on seats from a K40.

Before you get crazy pulling on that knob, check around the base.

Ray will be able to give the answer on this
_________________
1974 412 variant
1965 notchback S

[Stlywo]

Bingo! The headrest pulled right off, I was never going to get that in a million years! Thanks, one step closer!

And the knob is towards the base of the seat, you can see it in the photograph I posted (in the lower left corner!). I’ll keep pulling on it!

Best,

Stacey

[pbnjimages]

The sewing machine I used was a portable Consew. Strong machine, and it was cheap. If I had done more homework, I would have bought a Sailrite, virtually the exact machine, but with way better documentation.

Heres a terrible picture with my thumbs on the release buttons

_________________
1974 412 variant
1965 notchback S

[pbnjimages]

On the readreast, theres a button on each side, about where the zipper holds the cover on. They face the inside. Push these both in, pull up.

If you knob on the side you are referring to is the one towards the top that lets the seat fold forward, this just muscles off.
If you are referring to the recline angle adjuster, my seats did not have that.
_________________
1974 412 variant
1965 notchback S