Topic: 72 Trans Am restoration 1/9/08

[Gunner]

Pat

Just sent a PM to Hitman about restoring the pictures at the front of this thread, and making it a sticky in the restoration section. This is THE thread that one restoring a car (ANY car, not just a T/A) should refer to when they want to do it RIGHT.

Gunner

[KeePat]

Pat

Just sent a PM to Hitman about restoring the pictures at the front of this thread, and making it a sticky in the restoration section. This is THE thread that one restoring a car (ANY car, not just a T/A) should refer to when they want to do it RIGHT.

Gunner

Gunner,

Thank You! I hope others checking this thread out find something that helps them with their project as I have in reading other members threads. It’s nice returning the favor.

Pat   

[Gunner]

To be quite honest, I didn't even know there was such an animal as a plastic welding kit. Wish I would have known about it a few years ago.

Gunner

[KeePat]

I started recovering the right rear seat bottom and I added a decking fabric to take the place of the rusty steel rod, I used the same decking on my 68 Charger and it helps firm up the seat.
Pat




Sand blasted and painted


1st layer of burlap without the steel rods


2nd layer of burlap ½” foam & decking fabric stitched together
As you can see by my stitching job that I’m still learning how to use the sewing machine


2nd layer of foam  


3/4" cotton pad

[Anderson0741]

I think it looks great

[78ta]

I noticed that you just used two layers of 1/2" foam along with the burlap, decking material and cotton but I didn't see any foam bun..

I've seen pics of early Firebirds interiors and thought the seat bottoms looked kind of flat. I thought the person that restored it just used the old crushed foam but now I'm wondering if they even used foam buns in the early birds like they did for the 76 or so and up.  I know my 78 has them.

Did they use specific seat bottom(or seat back) foam buns in the 72's? If so, I assume that no one reproduces them or you'd have used those.  Just curious/learning.....Looks great.

I've done springs, foam and covers before. It's not as hard as a lot of people perceive it to be. With the presewn upholstery kits available now, it's actually pretty easy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to take away from what you've done. As I said, it looks great. I'm just suggesting that more guys should try it themselves. You've set a good example here. It could easily save them $500 by doing it themselves instead of paying an upholstery shop to do it. And most of us are looking for ways to trim costs in our restos.

[kentuckyyeti]

The early cars had no foam in backs or bottoms.

[KeePat]

I noticed that you just used two layers of 1/2" foam along with the burlap, decking material and cotton but I didn't see any foam bun..

I've seen pics of early Firebirds interiors and thought the seat bottoms looked kind of flat. I thought the person that restored it just used the old crushed foam but now I'm wondering if they even used foam buns in the early birds like they did for the 76 or so and up.  I know my 78 has them.

Did they use specific seat bottom(or seat back) foam buns in the 72's? If so, I assume that no one reproduces them or you'd have used those.  Just curious/learning.....Looks great.

I've done springs, foam and covers before. It's not as hard as a lot of people perceive it to be. With the presewn upholstery kits available now, it's actually pretty easy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to take away from what you've done. As I said, it looks great. I'm just suggesting that more guys should try it themselves. You've set a good example here. It could easily save them $500 by doing it themselves instead of paying an upholstery shop to do it. And most of us are looking for ways to trim costs in our restos.

Randy,

No foam buns in the back seats on a 72 T/A, just a lot of the cotton stuff that the mice like to eat. I’m not sure when they started putting foam buns in the back seats?

I agree, recovering seats is easy & a great way to save some $$! This will my 4th car interior and I always do one seat at a time so I can use the other seat as a reference.
The only tool you need is a good spring loaded hog ring pliers. I also have a steamer that help with the winkles and the foam. With a few tools, some commonsense, and a lot of patients anyone can do it! 
Thanks!
Pat         

[rad400]

Very nice work on the seats Pat, is there any thing you can't do?

[BACnBLK]

Was thinking the same thing....

[kentuckyyeti]

Very nice work on the seats Pat, is there any thing you can't do?

Obviously he can't do a bad job    Everything is simply fantastic on that car!

[4speed76]

I am speechless,  is there anything that you cant do Pat???

[KeePat]

I am speechless,  is there anything that you cant do Pat???

If you ask my wife she would say, cook, wash dishes, & laundry!:)
Thanks!
Pat

[brian c]

Well at least we know Pat's limits now

Great job on the interior Pat!

[4speed76]

If you ask my wife she would say, cook, wash dishes, & laundry!:)
Thanks!
Pat

I think that if you ask all our wives they would all say the same thing. I know mine would.