[EVL_54SunValley]

Hi everyone,

I want to reupholster my 54 Merc back to original, which looks something like the picture below. These cars have two bench seats and the door-panels look like they’ll be pretty straightforward. So, I’m up for the challenge.

I’ve read quite a few of the user posts and knowledge base discussions, and still have a few questions.

The tuck and roll seats – isn’t this simply sewing panels of material to one another, then backing with foam with grooves cut into it? Bear with me, the materials that go into interiors are a complete mystery to me.

Also, on the seats now is an old button-tuft upholstery done some time in the '70s. My concern is that once I take off the old material, I wont’ be able to use it as a template because once I flatten out all the button-tufts, the seat material will be bigger. But, there is welting on the edges of the seats also, so maybe it will be OK?

As for securing the material to the seat frame; I know seat material needs tied down to seat frames to stop if from moving and sagging etc.... On the old button tuft, I assume there will be one tie down for each button, but where would the “tie down points” be for the seat material as shown in the picture?

Thanks in advance,
Ed

[willys36@aol.com]

Here is what they use for that. It is 1/2" thick open cell foam with a bonded cloth back. Simply glue the upholstery fabric to the side of the foam opposite the cloth and sew your pleats into the fabric. Once the whole seat cover is sewn it is slipped (hopefully snuggly) over the seat and attached to the under seat using steel "C" clips called "hog rings". They are like huge staples. They are stuck through the upholstery and crimped to wires under the seat with a special hog ring plier.

[EVL_54SunValley]

Thanks for pointing me to these. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I get into this a little more.

Thanks again,
Ed