Author Topic: Reupholster Seats - Don Taylor DIY (Read 8587 times)

JP 91iS · « **on:** July 16, 2009, 01:54:20 PM »

So the upholstery shop wanted way too much money to recover my seats, so I bought this book from Amazon to use as a guide when I do them myself.

Automotive Upholstery Handbook by Don Taylor
published by California Bills Automotive Handbooks
ISBN: 1-931128-00-6

It had good reviews on Amazon. But the best part is that Chapter 7 deals with recovering late model seats and for their example seat they use a comfort seat from an E30! Sport seats will differ but the basics are all here for someone interested in doing their own upholstery.

I don't want to infringe on any copyrights so I won't post the whole chapter, but I thought I'd share the info. As you can tell they are very detailed and use plenty of photos. They cover disassembly, reassembly and earlier chapters cover how to sew up new covers. As far as I can see it's all I will need (besides a sewing machine) to do this job myself. I feel a little bit like those kids on Reading Rainbow, but I would recommend this book.

monty23psk · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2009, 02:01:23 PM »

Excellent find!!!

keflaman · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2009, 04:26:57 PM »

Are there any suggestions regarding what type of sewing machine? I have an old Singer treadle sewing machine that I was told some years ago would be great for doing upholstery.

Great job on bringing your car back from the dead. I enjoy the pictures and narratives.

JP 91iS · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2009, 01:52:45 AM »

Quote from: keflaman;75377

Are there any suggestions regarding what type of sewing machine? I have an old Singer treadle sewing machine that I was told some years ago would be great for doing upholstery.

Great job on bringing your car back from the dead. I enjoy the pictures and narratives.

I'll check to see if he recommends any particular sewing machine, I haven't read the book in detail yet. But I bet the one you have would work just fine.

Thanks for the comments

HATER-PROOF · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2009, 02:45:14 AM »

JP91is-when it comes time to purchase the material if you haven't already, google Denver Fabrics---cheap as hell, as far as money goes.

JP 91iS · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2009, 10:45:02 PM »

Quote from: HATER-PROOF;75439

JP91is-when it comes time to purchase the material if you haven't already, google Denver Fabrics---cheap as hell, as far as money goes.

Thanks for the tip

BlackBMWs · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2009, 09:14:53 AM »

Nice info, thanks! Just picked up a copy of the book as I'm working on my seats... :cool:

JP 91iS · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2009, 08:30:55 PM »

Quote from: BlackBMWs;75589

Nice info, thanks! Just picked up a copy of the book as I'm working on my seats... :cool:

Nice, post up some pictures

BlackBMWs · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:49:02 AM »

Quote from: JP 91iS;75635

Nice, post up some pictures

Will do. Mine are the cloth two tone sport seats that look like they've been reupholstered once already as they are in great shape, but the seat mechanicals need to be renewed. They all need a good cleaning... Drivers seat does not recline and it's missing the seat height adjuster lever.

Minor fixes. I'll add in new struts on the drivers side after I finish up the engine compartment renewal I'm working now... :cool:

bmwman91 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2009, 05:24:51 PM »

Quote from: BlackBMWs;75683

Will do. Mine are the cloth two tone sport seats that look like they've been reupholstered once already as they are in great shape, but the seat mechanicals need to be renewed. They all need a good cleaning... Drivers seat does not recline and it's missing the seat height adjuster lever.

Minor fixes. I'll add in new struts on the drivers side after I finish up the engine compartment renewal I'm working now... :cool:

http://bmw.e30tuner.com/articles_seatfix.php
You might find some helpful hints in my DIY for fixing up a seat. They are actually pretty easy to work on.

BlackBMWs · « **Reply #10 on:** August 09, 2009, 11:56:12 PM »

Quote from: bmwman91;76510

http://bmw.e30tuner.com/articles_seatfix.php
You might find some helpful hints in my DIY for fixing up a seat. They are actually pretty easy to work on.

What a great DIY, thanks for putting that together! I did pull the drivers side last week and had it apart. it was fairly gummed up and could use some new pistons, but after getting it apart, giving the hinge and release mechanisms a good cleaning and lube, and getting it back together, it operates just fine now.

I also hot shampooed the seats about six times and pulled years of imbedded dirt out. Probably a few more years of imbedded dirt in there, but they look way better.

Thanks for the link and info! :cool:

BlackBMWs · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2009, 12:37:40 AM »

Sorry for the double post... I wasn't trying to emphasize my pics...

Quote from: bmwman91;76510

http://bmw.e30tuner.com/articles_seatfix.php
You might find some helpful hints in my DIY for fixing up a seat. They are actually pretty easy to work on.

What a great DIY, thanks for putting that together! I did pull the drivers side last week and had it apart. it was fairly gummed up and could use some new pistons, but after getting it apart, giving the hinge and release mechanisms a good cleaning and lube, and getting it back together, it operates just fine now.

I also hot shampooed the seats about six times and pulled years of imbedded dirt out. Probably a few more years of imbedded dirt in there, but they look way better.

Thanks for the link and info! :cool:

keflaman · « **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2009, 01:25:43 AM »

Quote from: bmwman91;76510

http://bmw.e30tuner.com/articles_seatfix.php
You might find some helpful hints in my DIY for fixing up a seat. They are actually pretty easy to work on.

I found your writeup last summer while researching seat repairs. After disassembly I found numberous cracks around the pivot points of the lower seat bottom frame as well as broken spring tabs. With those discrepancies repaired the seat was much more comfortable to sit on and the seat back functioned perfectly.

Thanks for your help!