Seat covers and colors

[gjones1967]

My car seems to have a mix of colors. Front seats are tan, headrests are camel, back seats and door cards are camel as is the console. I am presuming this did not come as a standard factory option although the contrast is good. Anyone seen this before?

Also has anyone used the replacement seat covers that are available? How do they look when installed?

Graeme.

[joelittel]

I have a set from AutoBerry and love them.

http://www.autoberry.com/fiat/124-spider

They sent me multiple sample swatches so I could make sure the seats matched everything else in the car just the way I wanted it to.

Very high quality product.

[wetminkey]

Thank you for the info on Autoberry and your opinion on their upholstery, joelittel!
I have not been able to find a vendor that had maroon upholstery available until now. And I would not have trusted an unknown vendor's upholstery without a positive opinion from a satisfied customer.
Most of the re-upholstery that I have done in the past was on American cars, so I've not run across Autoberry before,...
I was toying with the idea of finding someone local to sew upholstery for my car, but KNEW that would run into some dollars!
I'll have them send a swatch of the maroon soon. Thanks again for the GREAT tip! It will help me complete my Spider properly.
Todd.

[joelittel]

I have a maroon interior too which is why color matching was so important to me.

They also said they could make a convertible top cover (tableau?) in the same color leather which I find oh so tempting.

[gjones1967]

How easy (or hard) were they to fit?

[gchocevar]

Hi,

I had a local detailer purchase seat covers from World Upholstery after I had the seats welded to get the gangster lean out of it. I purchased new foam for the drivers seat. It was too difficult for me to install the covers. In fact, the detailer could not get the headrests fitted. I sprayed the beige headrests and door panels with Auto Color vinyl spray black. It's held up after 9 years without a respray. The seats are still tight and I get a lot of comments that they look like the originals. The have a maroon sample listed on their site also.
http://www.worlduph.com/fiat/124_spider/

[wetminkey]

Beautiful interior, gchocevar! Thanks for the info and details,...
I've got swatch requests out to both vendors mentioned in this thread. We'll see what their 'maroon' looks like next to the factory color. I'm sure I can seek out a spot on my factory upholstery that hasn't faded.
And, in all actuality, I only have to come close to the maroon on my Spider's factory door panels and top boot.
My factory carpet is a little faded, but looks just fine, and will look great with the new seatcovers.
The information provided here has moved this Spider project up from 'years down the road' to 'probably in the next year' for my car! THIS upholstery even I can afford! Thanks, guys!
More when swatches get here. All have a good day!
Todd.

[joelittel]

The AutoBerry seat covers were not difficult to fit, but it was a process. I watched a few YouTube videos on the subject first. I highly recommend watching a few videos before you begin,as there are a couple tricks to be aware of.

[wetminkey]

Wow. Autoberry sent off the swatch and emailed to let me know in less than 12 hours from request. They're motivated!
Nothing from Upholstery World yet,...
Todd.

[wetminkey]

Upholstery World responded today,...sending. 3-5 business days 'till arrival.

[spidernut]

I bought a set from World Upholstery. 8 out of 10 on fit. 9 out of 10 on quality. 6 out of 10 on installing them, 10 of 10 on delivery time and after-the-fact customer service.

I bought a set from Car Upholstery Guys, 7.5 out of 10 on fit. 7 out of 10 on quality, 5 out of 10 on installing them (due to fit problems), 1 out of 10 on delivery time. It took 11 weeks for them to show up.

Installing them takes some patience and finesse. As the original seat foam gets compressed and stretched, the kits don't fit perfectly. They may on new foam though. You'll get a set of horrible hog ring pliers with your kit - I recommend buying a real set of pliers. The seat bottoms are fairly easy to fit. The seat backs are harder since there are rubber straps that wrap around metal rods inside the foam. They require a bit of work to get everything aligned properly. Then there's the worst part: The headrest covers. I highly recommend putting a plastic bag over the head rest, vacuuming out the air to compress the foam, then sliding the head rest covers on. If you don't do it this way, you will tear the underside of the head rests.

All in all, expect 4-5 hours to get both seats done and fitting well.

[wetminkey]

Received the Maroon swatch from Autoberry the other day. I'm pleased. The color and 'grain' matches the factory red upholstery nicely. Seems to be vinyl of good quality.
On fine inspection, the method of coloration is different but certainly matches my vinyl well in both sunlight and artificial light.
I'll email to see if it is possible to get extra pieces of vinyl to re-upholster my rear side panels,...Autoberry's price is nice,...6 yr Warranty.
There is a learning curve with upholstery. As spidernut states, buy a good hog-ring applier! And, perhaps, extra hog-rings,...I also own a very nice heavy double-action pin cutter which makes hog-ring removal easier than pliers.
It is of great benefit to take pictures, or remember how hog-rings and fasteners were placed as the seat is stripped. Save the old upholstery, for now (for reference).
Upholstery is best done with warm material,...I warm my vinyl in the sun, turn it inside out like a sock, and 'roll' it onto the padded seatframe, carefully checking alignment as I apply it.
Sometimes buttons must be strung (either with string or wire) into place with the right tension, and it is common that there are heavy wires in sleeves (to pull upholstery down evenly, into the seatframe) that will need to be hog-ringed in place using proper tension.
Buttons must be done as the upholstery is applied. Hog-ring the heavy wires (in their sleeves),...in place before rolling the remainder of the cover into place. Then, when the entire seatframe is covered, with buttons and wires in place, smooth the upholstery material with your hand and apply hog-rings carefully (and sequentially) so as to not cause wrinkles. I've removed a lot of hog-rings and re-applied them to get things right, so don't be bashful! But think carefully, 'cause each one makes a hole in the upholstery edge,...
A bit of 'sweat equity' and it might make your fingers sore from working the vinyl, but the result is BEAUTIFUL!
I sure hope that this reduces the learning curve for everyone, and makes this an easy, fun, and rewarding project!
I'll look forward to attempting spidernut's vacuum idea for the headrests,...
Todd.

[wetminkey]

World Upholstery's vinyl swatch arrived today. Nice color and grain.
When the swatches I have received are compared, it is immediately evident that the Autoberry vinyl is noticeably thicker. It's color layer is as thick as the entire World Upholstery swatch,...
Autoberry responded to my query about extra material nearly immediately. They sell the vinyl for $65/yd. I think one yard will cover the rear side panels,...I'll need to measure.
I hope this information helps others in search of upholstery!
Todd.