Auto vinyl repair methods? - ‘69 Chevy C10 Seat

[Pullstart 63,113]

I fired up my old ‘69 Chevy last night, for the first time in forever.  Fresh rec. fuel and a battery.  Love it!  I keep saying I want to get it back on the road.  New rubbers on the ground and under the hood, and a clutch for that beloved three on the tree.  Since we’ve owned it, maybe 9 years, this tear hasn’t gotten any worse.

 

Does anyone have experience with doing a repair?  It doesn’t even need to be perfect, just back together.  I even thought about a Mexican blanket for a seat cover, but I’d like to close it up first.

 

 

[WHX?? 49,194]

For you I would select the green & yellow flavors..... 

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/nashua-3940020000-394-2-sil-2-x-60-yards-silver-premium-duct-tape/328BER394002.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt-6LBhDlARIsAIPRQcIe0M3up-pgBeGtWkAc_p3cASQLag8IZ57_PjHSpHbJ4XbKSmqkefAaAqHFEALw_wcB

Edited October 29, 2021 by WHX??

[Skwerl58 727]

For vinyl that old it usually will not hold up to a restitching. Pulling it tight and using tape for the repair and then a pull on cover. Factory style replacements are available but can be pricey.

[Pullstart 63,113]

5 minutes ago, Skwerl58 said:

For vinyl that old it usually will not hold up to a restitching. Pulling it tight and using tape for the repair and then a pull on cover. Factory style replacements are available but can be pricey.

I’m gonna go ahead and believe you better than Uncle Jim’s mambo jumbo…. What style tape?  Could I reinforce the edges of the tear somehow then stitch it?

[ri702bill 8,526]

I have had marginal sucess over the years by removing the seat, undoing the hog rings and removing the vinyl material off of the cushion and seat frame. Turn it over (or inside out if needed), lay it flat and use 2 inch wide or wider mending tape, holding the tear closed as you go. Best done slowly with 2 people. Let it sit awhile for the tape to get a good bond before restretching the material- best done also by 2 people. Again - marginal success.

To digress - you are lucky it's a 69 C10, not a 69 G10 flat nosed van like I used to drive for work. Yours has swing pedals for the clutch & brake that mount under the dash - the 60 G10 was the last of the last to use the awful 1940's design where the pedals swung in a long arc thru the floor - had to clutch to the floor to shift, then lift your entire left leg to let the clutch out. Total PIA when stuck in stop & go traffic .....

Bill

[SylvanLakeWH 26,002]

Vinyl is cheap by the sheet. Pull seat off and go right over the top. Secure underneath…

 

[pacer 3,174]

25 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

reinforce the edges of the tear somehow then stitch it?

 

That would my best....guess? Get some of those little brass 'eyelets' and move over 1-1/2-2" with 4-5-6 if them on each side and use a heavy duty thread and pull it together  - course then you really would need the 'Indian blanket' --- or equivilent. There has been a lot of talk about some of the 'new' type tapes that just might do.....

[Pullstart 63,113]

Thanks everyone!  As mentioned, It needs all new rubbers to drive safely, tires and hoses.  The warmed up 350 is healthy enough to have fun, mild enough to enjoy the 4 wheel drum brakes still!  The seat is just the start.

[ACman 7,621]

If you use duct tape the tap starts moving around under heat leaving sticky residue. Even gorilla tape but it is better than the cheap stuff . I loved my Saddle blanket seat cover.

https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-chevy-gmc/seats/new-saddle-blanket-seat-covers . 

Edited October 29, 2021 by ACman

[ri702bill 8,526]

Ah, yes. The thrill ride of 4 wheel drums when they get wet. I have not had to ride the brake to dry them out after going thru a big puddle since about 1980 or so - don't miss it!!!

Bill

[Handy Don 12,481]

2 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Does anyone have experience with doing a repair?  It doesn’t even need to be perfect, just back together.  I even thought about a Mexican blanket for a seat cover, but I’d like to close it up first.

 

I've often wondered if the heat-activated tape used in carpet seaming plus Gorilla tape would work. Apply the carpet tape to the fabric backing of the vinyl cover. The tape is about 3" wide so it'd get grip over a wider area. Functionally, it'd be a bit stiffer than Gorilla tape. Then G-tape on the top to cover the split. 

[Pullstart 63,113]

8 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

I've often wondered if the heat-activated tape used in carpet seaming plus Gorilla tape would work. Apply the carpet tape to the fabric backing of the vinyl cover. The tape is about 3" wide so it'd get grip over a wider area. Functionally, it'd be a bit stiffer than Gorilla tape. Then G-tape on the top to cover the split. 

still all from the back, I’m assuming?

[953 nut 55,911]

48 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

It needs all new rubbers to drive safely, tires and hoses.

   Also, rebuild or replace the wheel cylinders, master cylinder, steel lines and rubber hoses. Don't need any surprises    .

[Handy Don 12,481]

4 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

still all from the back, I’m assuming?

I'd do fabric seam seal tape on the back and G-tape on the seating surface. Assumes that the seat's internal padding is against the seam seal tape so if that interface is too rough, then sure, g-tape that too.

[Pullstart 63,113]

13 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

   Also, rebuild or replace the wheel cylinders, master cylinder, steel lines and rubber hoses. Don't need any surprises    .

Surprise is my middle name!  

[AMC RULES 37,134]

https://www.lmctruck.com/interior/seats

[squonk 41,465]

You spend money on all kinds of stuff you don't need. That truck deserves a professional upholster job.

[Pullstart 63,113]

10 minutes ago, squonk said:

You spend money on all kinds of stuff you don't need. That truck deserves a professional upholster job.

For the most part, most of my hobbies are driven by things we don’t need.  Now that we purged ourselves of vehicle payments, we can focus on getting some of this stuff alive and well again.  I’m thinking it won’t receive a professional anything… especially a crack just perfectly under my own 

[lynnmor 7,356]

I would spend $200 and toss all of that spent vinyl.  Taping, gluing and covering will keep coming back at you.

[AMC RULES 37,134]

It's really not difficult to recover a seat.

[ACman 7,621]

….many places out there I’m not finding it in stock looking through the many retailers . LMC does have this in stock but only comes in black . They do carry dies and paint to change your other interior parts to match. https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-chevy-gmc/seats/cb-1971-72-super-value-reupholstery-front-bench-seat-kit

Edited October 29, 2021 by ACman

[JoeM 7,874]

A couple bucket seats out of a Chevelle would be cool!

 

 

[lynnmor 7,356]

1 hour ago, ACman said:

….many places out there just finding it in stock looking through the many retailers . LMC does have this in stock but only comes in black . They do carry dies and paint to change your other interior parts to match. https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-chevy-gmc/seats/cb-1971-72-super-value-reupholstery-front-bench-seat-kit

The $170 part is black only, the $200 one is available in 5 colors.

[varosd 1,185]

And more pictures!!

of the engine, etc etc…

👌

[Pullstart 63,113]

37 minutes ago, varosd said:

And more pictures!!

of the engine, etc etc…

👌

 

 

here’s the tail end of the engine…