Some questions about recovering seats

[justfun13]

Anyone out there that can give me some advice on recovering my 280z seats? Should I replace the foam or just add foam to some of the damaged areas? I live in a cold area during this time of the year and was wondering if it would be better to do the recovering in the late spring or early summer to let the sun warm up the vinyl?

Thanks for your help,

Dan

[MikeW]

It's definitely easier with warm vinyl. I even used a heat gun on mine. As I recall I did most of the work in my living room so the outside temperature shouldn't matter that much.

As for the foam I suppose it depends on what shape yours is in. I replaced mine completely. It's not because it was really damaged anywhere but rather because it gets compressed over the years and doesn't provide enough support. I noticed a big different in ride height after replacing the foam.

[justfun13]

Thanks Mike.

The foam isn't in too bad of shape, but if I'm going to spend the time to recover, it might be wise to spend the $90 extra.

[madkaw]

Plus the covers will fit better on the new foam ! I did mine in the winter but I did them in front of the fireplace and got the covers just about hot. You definetly will want to warm the covers up for new foam.

[xray]

I just recovered my seats back in the fall. I can say from experience that hot vinyl is the best way to stretch it over the frame, particularly the steel back. Get new foam--your butt will never believe how great it can be!

I used the foam and vinyl from Classic Datsun. It fits perfectly for my 240Z. Not sure about 280Z applications--call and find out!

Good luck,

Steve

[bobs77]

I bought a seat cover set (basket weave centers) and foam for one seat from CD. Les didn't have foam specifically for a 280 so I used foam for a 240; he wasn't sure if there was a difference, and neither was anyone on this site.

One surprise was that the new foam did raise the seat bottom up (new, dense foam vs 29 year old foam?); when I sat in the reupholstered seat my head touched the ceiling, even after reclining the seat back more than usual. I ended up using the original foam from the passenger seat for the drivers seat, and the new foam in the passenger seat. The old passenger seat foam was in much better condition that the original drivers seat so I still get better support, and actually have a little space between my head and the ceiling.

[Justice]

I have a 1983 with burgandy interior, does anyone have suggestions on where to get a new seat cover kit. I am also looking for a new carpet, dash and a few other interior parts, any hints on where to get this stuff.

[DRBall]

Black Dragon , MSA etc....BTW bobs77 could'nt you remove the spacer on the seat frame and the nut...