Cartouche Seat Kit
 

I just started the reupholster of my 1950 F1 bench seat using a Cartouche kit from MAC's. The kit only supplies the burlap layer for the seat back and not for the seat bottom. Is this the way the original seats were? My original seat material was completely gone so I have nothing to look at for reference. Any insight would be appreciated.

Doug, I just took a gander at the seat in Gertie, which is original, albeit pretty seedy. Indeed, there is burlap both in the seat bottom, and back. Call them and tell them you want the burlap for the bottom too.

They sent enough for both the back and the bottom for my 50. Actually i could double lap it on both. Sounds like an honest mistake, they'll send you some

And I'll tell you, when that burlap hits the 68 year old mark, it literally generates a cloud of small fibers in the air whenever you plop your arse down on the seat. Got to where I use a blow gun and compressed air instead of a whisk broom to sweep out the old truck. :D

One of these days, I intend to re-upholster that seat. I am going to have to of course, my sinuses can't take much more.

OK guys, thanks for the info!!

I was reading somewhere that using canvas instead of burlap on top of the springs provides better support and distributes weight more evenly over your springs. Instead of hog ringing the canvas they hand sewed the canvas to the seat frame.

On my DYI I used canvas hand sewn on the springs and burlap on top of the foam. I used a mattress topper from Costco for the foam as it is memory foam and it has held up well. Total cost including a $50 sewing machine from eBay is less tha $300 — front rear seats and all 4 doors. Not show quality but very serviceable.

I can attest to that as I was priveledged to ride in the Beast, both in the front and the back!

A story on burlap seat back. When I had my seat upholstered the guy put canvas on the back of the seat. I told him I wanted it in burlap as original and what we had agreed to. He said burlap would disintegrate over time and he put the burlap in. That was 20 years ago and the burlap has disintegrated into dust as he said it would.
Ed
near Philadelphia

But Ed - I will be dust in 20 years or less ! :-X24

help?
 

Cougar, how did the install go?

I just rec'd my Cartouche kit and am already a bit perplexed -- do you really have to remove the springs from the frame? They look to be pretty integrated, in that there are dozens of 'clips' which would have to be bent out in order to remove, and then presumably bent back in upon install, which means odds are pretty good that the 65yo metal would rather just snap off then bend.

The bottom isn't quite as bad (maybe) except that it goes in front and below the frame in the front.

I'm having a hard time envisioning the final product (which would help with the process), having never seen a finished seat. (Mine was just a rusty seat frame in a field.)

Got any pix or advice for me?

Thanks.
:-wink

so just found this photo in another thread...

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...a179505db2.jpg

...which makes me think you must leave the springs on the frame, since the vinyl goes over/around the bar on the seatback and also in front of the seat bottom??

It isn't necessary to remove the springs from the seat frame.

This video might help:
https://www.lebaronbonney.com/video-...lation-006.htm

No springs need to be removed. I had a helper which was nice to hold the seats while I stretched the covers over the springs and new cushioning. I have about 10 pictures of the seat in progress. Here are pictures of the completed back and bottom. Oh, the hog ring pliers that come with the kit do work but they could use longer handles with some cushions. An offset head would have been helpful as well. If this is the only seat you recover, they will do the trick. If more recovering is planned, buy some nicer pliers.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...37f32e75da.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...1e5f523151.jpg

thanks cougar
 

would love to see the "in progess" pix if it isn't too much of a hassle...

the video link shared above was helpful, except that it, too, has the springs separated from the frame. just looking for more clarity about where exactly everything goes when the frame is still involved.

:-drink