Restitching Cockpit Seats

[Pointe of View]

My lounge cockpit seats have started to seperate in a couple of places, but the vinyl has not ripped yet. Has anyone ever had theirs restitched rather than replacing the entire vinyl seats? Thanks

 

[tigerark]

I would like to know this also.

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

From what I know about the seat cushions is that when they were made all of the sewing was done when the "skin" of the cushion was inside out. That is why you really can't see the thread in the seam. I would think to repair the cushion it would have to be disassembled and resewn and then reinstalled onto the plywood base. Also if there is piping (the little rib in the seam) that would be repaired the same way as it is sewn between the two pieces of vinyl. Hope this helps.

 

[johnsross3]

The above poster is correct, the cushion will have to be disassembled in order to be restitched. Any automotive upholstery shop should be able to do this for you. Just bear in mind that if one cushion's stitching is failing, the others are not far behind...

 

[nowakezone]

I can't speak about this with authority but I know a couple guys who have used a sewing awl to repair stitches and small tears here and there on their canvas covers and vinyl cushions. Apparently it's not too difficult. I just bought one on Amazon simply to make holes for installing snaps but after watching the video it looks pretty straight forward. It might be worth your time to search the web for instructions. Here's a link to the video on Sailrite describing repairing a leather shoe. Coincidently this is the same sewing awl I just bought.

http://video.sailrite.com/sewing-awl-with-thread/youtube.html

 

[Jeepguy]

For 10 years I sewed seats for Ford Motor Co. You guys are 100% correct. Seats are sewn up inside out, then flipped as they go on the cushions. I agree that the best way to repair it is to disassemble the seat. Also it is possible that an improper repair at the factory caused the one seam to fail prematurely.