[Tigers] Mk 1A Seat Rebuild

[Jay]

I can tell you about when I did it on my SV Alpine, which I believe is the same.  I used the foam from SS and the diaphragm.  Wow, what a difference the seat was once it was correct.  I had previously replaced the original diaphragm with straps and clips I got at the local upholstery store.  Worked ok, but the correct foam and diaphragm was a revelation.

I have to tell you, I don’t remember right now what I did to stretch the rubber to put the clips in.  I do remember that getting the correct size clips was important - as I didn’t have all the originals.  I remember talking to Rick about it (It was about 25 years ago now).  I think I made some sort of grabber with a pliers.

I also had to remake the cardboard that went along the back of the frame, inside the seat covers.  That took a long time to get right.  I had to experiment with different thicknesses of cardboard and some steam to get it right.  

I spent a bunch of time cleaning off the metal and painting it.  Mine were not bad.  But on a non-Sunbeam that I redid the seats on, there was a bit of rust.  Almost made me wish I left them alone - but in the end, they are stronger now.

Also, when I cut the vinyl around the two bottom edges, I cut it wrong.  So it doesn’t cover exactly right down there.  Pissed me off.  It’s ok.  I don’t think anyone would ever notice.  But I’m usually pretty good at seeing how things are supposed to be cut.  So I guess I’m only suggesting you take time there to make sure it’s right before you cut.  Perhaps I just totally blew it and it would be obvious if I did it again.

I was careful to epoxy the center section of the seat bottom into the square hold in the foam before doing anything.  That’s still holding 25 years later and I’m glad I did it.  I see folks where their seat bottom vinyl just floats.  That’s not a good look, to me.

Oh, and I’ve also seen on some cars people say they cover the seat backs with a large plastic bag before pulling on the upholstery.  I never did that because I didn’t want it to make crinkly noises every time I moved.  It was hard to slide it down.  It took a lot of squeezing and pressing a little at a time.  I don’t know if it would have been smarter to do the bag trick.

That’s all I remember.  Hope this helps.

Jay



On Apr 1, 2021, at 4:52 PM, Stu via Tigers <tigers at autox.team.net> wrote:

I've seen the Parlanti article on Tigers United, about rebuilding the seats, but his seats were earlier than mine and had the straps.  My seats from my Mk 1A  have the rubber diaphragm.  Is there any info on line about restoring Mk 1A seats?  I want to be sure I know what I'm getting into before pulling the trigger on an order to SS, or ripping mine apart.

Stu
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