How to Reupholster a Truck Seat

Trucks are often used hard, for good reason. Sometimes the upholstered seat of a truck may take the worst beating of all. If that’s true for your truck seat, watch this video and learn how to reupholster your truck seat following this step by step video.
You can find most of the fabrics and supplies to upholster your truck or car seat at: www.sailrite.com
Chapter List of How to Reupholster a Truck Seat:
Intro -- 0:00
Patterning & Making Pleated Panels - 0:29
Patterning off Old Seat Cover - 5:25
Assembling Top Plate - 7:03
Patterning Rear Boxing - 10:04
Sewing Rear Boxing to Top Plate - 13:31
Patterning Forward Boxing - 18:59
Sewing & Finishing Forward Boxing - 24:15
Fitting Cover over Foam - 25:37
Materials List - 27:45
MATERIALS LIST:
Fabric Backed Sew Foam - www.sailrite.c...
3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive - www.sailrite.c...
Sunbrella Sling Fabric - www.sailrite.c...
V-92 Polyester Thread - www.sailrite.c...
Deluxe Vinyl Embossed Welting/Piping - www.sailrite.c...
Batting White 55" Wide - www.sailrite.c...
TOOLS LIST:
Sewing Machine, Yard stick, Marker, Scissors, Camera, Pen, Seam Ripper
Cording Foot for Sewing Machine
Tape Measure 120 Inch - www.sailrite.c...
Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas - www.sailrite.c...
Scratch Awl Yellow - www.sailrite.c...

[@scoutdogfsr]

Wow! She moves like a true pro. This lady makes it look easy. Most people have a hard time installing a new cover let alone fabricating a replacement with a terrible pile of scraps as a pattern.

[@ericgravelle4564]

I felt like I was watching an episode of the science channel's "How It's Made".... Well Done

[@tamaratamtammorris8151]

Cool! My hubby and I have a 1966 Chrysler Newport and while the upholstery on the seats isn't anywhere as bad as what was in this truck, it has definitely seen better days. It too has bench seats like this truck, so when the time comes and the upholstery needs to be redone, I have an idea of what to do. Thanks for the video! You guys have been a great source of information and inspiration!

[@SailriteDIY]

I am so glad you liked the video. Let us know if you have any questions.

[@kk4649k]

Was thinking of doing this myself but this video convinced me to just let a professional do it.

[@JimTMcDaniels1]

Thanks for the video! For making the foam more like new for FREE: Let me share what has worked very well for me for FREE!, much of which I've learned from my brother who is a professional upholster, with making a new bench or van bench seat or boosting old car seat foam: For car seats that need boosting, most often they just need more foam added to be like new again, I find used carpet pad foam often in a neighbor's trash or dumpster behind a carpet store. Remove the car seat fabric clips and carefully peel the front and sides of the fabric to gain access under the seat foam core, which often requires the seat be unbolted from the floor. Place a sheet of it or two under the seat foam core, right on top of the spring wire deck(carpet pad foam is tougher than the core so this also stops the spring wire deck from cutting into the seat foam core bottom). Your second sheet can be cut smaller just covering the area the butt sits on. Also inspect the top of the foam core and add carpet pad foam or regular foam where might be needed like by the door, worn from getting in and out over the years. Spray adhesive can be used to bond the foam to the foam but is not necessary except for any top foam added. Your seats will be firm and new like for many years now, it's like free magic! The seat back usually doesn't need a any foam because it's the seat that gets the body weight on it from gravity. If you seat back should need a boost, you can add polyfill batting on top of the foam for free-see below. These methods can also be used on sofa seat cushions. I'll share below where to find FREE used good foam below! To make a bench- where to get free foam: there is so much FREE foam and FREE polyfill - in many soft pillow backs and polyfill batting often wrapped around foam cushions for the taken in people's discarded sofa's and chairs found outside dumpsters at apartment complexes and the back of thrift stores. Even though it's used, it has been well protected covered inside the upholstery. Of course in the event it's a cat lady's furniture and the cats happened to piss all over it, you'll smell it and know to move on lol Most apartments don't allow pets or make it expensive to have a pet so a lot of furniture is pet free. Use a box cutter to open the old furniture to get at the free foam or poly as you need or use the zipper you'll find on some pieces. Some foam in old sofas contain like a 1" thick panel of foam on top of other foam that is perfect thickness to add to your sofa foam to give it the new boost again. Foam can be cut to size using a hack saw loose blade only in your hand holding the end making a sawing motion. New foam looses some of it's firmness over a break in period, say after 5 years depending on how much it's sat on. But then the broken in foam lasts a very very long time at that softer level firmness before it really starts to break down. You might be able to buy complete new expensive foam cushion cores but they will sag after the break in period as well. This is why so often we love a new firm piece of furniture but then it gets soft and saggy on us. Now the sofa companies could to put super firm more expensive foam in their sofa's when new that might be a perfect firmness for us when broken after the 5 years break in period, but then we wouldn't buy the sofa if it's not nice to sit on from the beginning in the show room, so there's the dilemma when you fabric is still in great shape after 5 years but the foam is now sagging. The free fix: So just add more foam if you can firms it up to make it like new again, unzip and compress the foam as you slowly peel off your fabric from the cushion core. Then either add more foam to the top or bottom or hack blade saw through the center horizontal line of the foam core all the way from the back to almost through the front but not through, so you leave a good hinge of foam in the front. Then place about a 1" thick of used foam in the sandwich and holding it closed peel the fabric back over the foam cushion. You can also add more polyfill pad to the cushion core on it's outside to add more softness and support but adding more foam is the big boost. Spray adhesive is optional to bond the foam to the foam. People often think that when the seat sags that the springs under the cushions, have weakened but no, it's the foam, the springs are metal and strong, the foam is just foam. Discarded trash at a dumpster is free for the taking and your reducing what goes to our planet's landfill. This is win win, real free hard core recycling, helping to save our environment as well! Take care!

[@FranciscoGonzalez-ro7ht]

If you really want to help, make a video and post it on KZbin, it's easier for me who cannot understand English very well.

[@JustAboutAnything66]

Angela is a treasure. You can try to explain what she is doing but the truth is, she is the only one that really knows!

[@Good-Enuff-Garage]

awesome video, LOVE YOUR VOICE, so confident, and the lady is jammin at knocking this stuff out, two PROs fer sure!!!!

[@JustAboutAnything66]

We'll leave the light on for ya!

[@FSAUDIOGUY]

Angela is one skilled lady! WOW! Great Video Folks :)

[@SailriteDIY]

Thanks!

[@joeyalfaro2323]

Heat gun and Pam cooking spray helps slide cover on grab both sides of seam were it trends to rip pull down. Sometimes rear goes on first sometimes front depends.

[@joeyalfaro2323]

When pattering put weights down even cans of beans will work so piece don't move on you. It can move then your screwed.

[@waltertrejo2534]

This is the best instructional video around in this category. Thank you so much for posting!

[@octaviogarcia9895]

I drive a f 150 90's and that sit look's just like mine. You gave me a good idea thank's.

[@SailriteDIY]

You are welcome!

[@JustAboutAnything66]

I've watched this again and again. I learn a little each time. Thanks!

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

The seat came out beautifull. Thanks for sharing.

[@paulputnam2305]

I really enjoyed this very detailed video. Thank You for sharing.

[@joeyalfaro2323]

We seem rip with razer blade not to sharp not to dull.

[@carolynekeeler]

Good to know!

[@ACHVPEAK]

great work and thanks for the insight on reupholstering a dentside bench seat.

[@cm5838]

I just did the seat on my 1980 f250 yesterday, I like my singer 400w106, but the reverse feature on that machine in the video sure would have made my life easier, the accurate speed control would have been nice too, need to save up and buy a new machine I guess.

[@HaxPotato]

a simple suggestion. don't use a pen to mark your vinyl or fabric. The ink can bleed through over the years, always use chalk or pencil. Also, make sure to be very modest when using glue on the scrim foam and material. When you put the cover on, the glue can cause permanent wrinkles to show through on the fabric.

[@monybony8807]

I love your videos, also I love Angela skills, she is a pro!

[@SailriteDIY]

Thanks!

[@daledow2278]

Love the idea with the floss and the yard stick. I will use that on my next bench seat.

[@joeyalfaro2323]

Here's what I do I mark all intersections if you want save peice mark it on back side. Like cross streets were ever piping ends mark it mark every four inches. We're two panels end mark it with black marker. Arrows going forward. Every panel that meets another mark both with same mark so when you unstitch you can put cover back together with ez if you get confused. No marks are for dumb asses. I flip flop side peices. Mark them 1st and flip saves time makes you faster. Foam you graft in new piece just glue it in shave turkey knife or 36 grit Rolla lock.

[@lapisthehuman]

Going to use this video to make custom seats 😤 very informative you covered all the bases

[@SailriteDIY]

Thanks!!! Hope they come out great!

[@BTUPHOLSTERY]

Well done for this. i will make car seats on my next vlog..

[@MrJaespun]

Angela is bad ass! Great work!

[@stanzomanny]

I plan on reupholster the same truck seat, ford supercab

[@SailriteDIY]

+stanzomanny I hope it goes very well!

[@PauloLandau_]

Thank you ALL Sealrite team! You very help me here in Brazil! I had watched several videos and learned a lot!

[@SailriteDIY]

Great! Thanks for your comment.

[@HaxPotato]

this has been a great instructional video for the aspiring trimmers

[@alejandrocampos6029]

makes me want to buy sewing machine lol its a very detailed video. Thank you for this video thought me alot

[@SailriteDIY]

+alejandro campos You are welcome! We do sell sewing machines at: www.sailrite.com

[@MohammedAslamtit-bitsoflife]

WOW I am amazed it's wonderful video and all concerned in this video have done an excellent job. Thank you.....

[@SailriteDIY]

+Mohammed Aslam You are welcome!

[@malikasaki1477]

Sailrite i

[@dany2705]

Video drôle

[@danbolton3180]

I was having trouble getting to sleep. Thanks for the video! Anybody know how to get the dried drool off the phone screen?

[@deathcloan]

You guys ever hear the term work smarter not harder? Learning from a master upholsterer there is a lot I would change

[@gregbotlin4446]

At 1:42, my head exploded

[@rebeccaa9109]

That was a very inspiring video. Thank you!

[@dirkdiggler4843]

Wish my wife would use her expensive ass machine for something useful like this. She makes great Halloween costumes for the lil monsters. I can’t sell those though

[@jamesbyzik4860]

Dirk Diggler lol

[@carolynekeeler]

You can learn how to sew too :)

[@joeyalfaro2323]

Middle piece just glue quarter foam and it's faster

[@brandonk7949]

Ok I'm confused at the start how much does it cost to have it done.

[@porsche9144uify]

Question. The holes cut in cover i assume for the seat belts, is just a single layer of vinyl. What would be best to reinforce that opening so belt pull or wear and tear wouldn't rip that edge of the opening? Do they make a matching U- channel (opposite of cord) for edges?

[@SailriteDIY]

On the underside you could sew on a layer of a heavy vinyl fabric called Shleter Rite. That would reinforce the hole opening when it is cut away.

[@kbtube8125]

to many times I see when sighting the back, the horizontal seams don't line up. when a contrasting color is used, it can really look bad. more care has to be used during layout.

[@ricardochavez5900]

Muchas gracias por compartir maestra y maestro dios los bendiga desde tala jalisco mexico reciban bendiciones

[@osmohammed1]

شكرا جزيلا على الشرح الرائع جدا

[@timcynth76]

so awesome great job very clean made and 100% perfect 😀😁😊

[@navedkj1115]

F

[@fakiirification]

Is it just me or is this guy saying "Sayorite" instead of Sailrite! great videos though, keep it up!

[@JustAboutAnything66]

No

[@opalbarker6597]

I enjoyed these videos. Please tell me what size needle to use when sewing with denim fabric.

[@SailriteDIY]

Size #20 is what I recommend.

[@framboisier06]

Bravo!!! Superbe réalisation. Merci pour le partage des savoirs faire...

[@daledow2278]

Ya, what he said...

[@christypoos9728]

Awesome job.

[@adrianpietraru]

Thank you for posting this!

[@SailriteDIY]

+harap white You are welcome!!!

[@joeyalfaro2323]

I rip panel pieces apart with razor blade. you just cut string. that piping can be made from fabric they just sandwich over plastic plastic piping straw

[@patrickmccune5929]

Nice nails, That was a great job as well.

[@thesergeant3524]

Awesome video, yet again, thank you!!!

[@cmscms123456]

Cool tip. For pulling new vinyl skins on your old seat buns... Get some of that very thin plastic sheeting that your dry cleaning comes back to you in, or a thin trash bag, cut to shape, and lay on the foam padding, THEN pull your new vinyl skins on... slick as snot... Otherwise, its like pulling a pair of pantyhose on a 600 pound woman, quite a workout, and not always a good outcome.

[@jnetwork7159]

Great narration! Video was sew sew.. 😉

[@armandocontrerasgalarza]

Love this machine, is this Machine made in the USA or assembled in the USA or have parts of RPC Thanks Armando

[@SailriteDIY]

The Sailrite 111 is now called the Sailrite Fabricator Sewing Machine, it is built in collaboration between the United States, Taiwan and China. The subassembly of our exclusive, cast-iron machine frame is done in China. The final assembly and tuning of each machine is done in the United States at Sailrite. Additionally, several critical parts and components for the Fabricator are made in the United States exclusively for Sailrite. All content and support are produced and/or provided by Sailrite.

[@Lauquin-torino_380]

Me encanta el vídeo y tu trabajo,hago también upholtery,soy tapicero y hago restauración de tapicería automóvil,y tu video me gusto mucho muy instructivo práctico,y te quería preguntar,si conoces una tel q ivs en rl Chevrolet en los años 70en adelante,q se llama OJO de perdiz, blanco y negro con cuadros chiquitos,y te agrdecria de corazón si tienes información,te mandi un saludo y un sbrazo de argentina gracias,

[@MrJaespun]

Is it safe to use a steamer to loosen the vinyl so it fits easier over the foam?

[@Rottidad]

How would you Patten if you had no old fabric to go by?

[@alejandroaquiningoc6836]

That machine is freaking awesome. I've been wanting an industrial strength Juki but now I got my eyes on a Sailrite ! One question is this particular machine designed just for upholstery or could it be used to make denim jeans and thick jackets?

[@SailriteDIY]

+Alejandro Aquiningoc The Ultrafeed Sewing Machines can be used for Canvas, Upholstery, Leather and even home sewing. Yes, it will sew denim jeans and thick jackets easily.

[@candacerochford7097]

Awesome video! Thanks! As far as purchasing fabric.... how many yards did you use of the vinyl and sunbrella sling fabric?

[@SailriteDIY]

We used about 3 yards of each.

[@SuperDagod1]

I was thinking about buying a real colored cow leather hide on ebay and doing the two bottom sections of my jeep xj seats on my own? Your thoughts?

[@SailriteDIY]

I would love to use real cow leather for my seats. Go for it!!!!

[@SuperDagod1]

I think I will start with the passenger front lower and see how it goes. That way I can still drive to go get supplies.

[@Bjones675]

Very informative, Thank you!

[@SailriteDIY]

Glad we could help. Let us know if you have questions.

[@theocomer1]

Looks great. I can’t wait to post my DIY VIDEO. I posted a snippet teaser

[@siamese35]

You don’t reinforce the holes you cut for seatbelts? Is this machine before the fabricator?

[@SailriteDIY]

Good point! Yes, this is the Sailrite 111 which is now called the Sailrite Fabricator. Here is a link: www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Fabricator-Sewing-Machine-in-Power-Stand-with-Workhorse-Servo-Motor

[@cesaralexispresunk4747]

El molde se saca sobre el asiento. No sobre el material que ya tenía. El q ya teni esta deforme. Y por eso terminan rellenando la parte q les quedan flojas.

[@ronbz455]

She is hired!!!

[@sanya58530803]

Grat!Nice work!!Profi sewing machine.

[@user-ic9jt8nk9w]

Very good

[@amartinjoe]

awesome! thanks for posting!

[@SailriteDIY]

You're welcome!

[@starsoul_7]

Thank you

[@FclefRules]

Wondering why the edges of the replacement strap wasn't serge sewn like the original

[@SailriteDIY]

It could have been or a hot knife could have been used instead.

[@brianallen2466]

How much should something like this run??

[@williamkraft5574]

Very nice job and I'm very impressed. For a job like this video shows. How much would you charge.

[@SailriteDIY]

+William Kraft We specialize in making DIY instructional videos and we sell the supplies and tools for those to accomplish the task themselves, but if we were to charge the labor for a job like this it would cost about $500, not including the supplies used.

[@Steven-hg4cz]

Really nice video, very well done. I have a question though, how many yards of each fabric and foam did you use for the entire seat (seat and seat back)? I have found everything on your website, I just need to know know roughly how much of each I need to order. I am going to be redoing a bench seat for a '71 ford so it should need just about the same amount (I can order a bit more just to be safe). Thank you!

[@f1backstabber62]

I’ve never done a seat but I’ve done a lot of head liners if you order 3 yards it should move more than enough even with all the small weird pieces

[@rogeliorodriguez3129]

Kiero ver mas video de sailrite tapiceria very good

[@abdoudz8305]

Thank you so much 👍

[@SailriteDIY]

You are welcome!

[@emmanuelsanchez8049]

i love that work. . .in i wish hire me soon

[@nobodyspecial313]

Great video. Makes me want to buy a sewing machine haha

[@SailriteDIY]

+Sir Mutton Chops Thanks for the positive comment. When you are ready to buy a sewing machine here is a link: www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Sewing-Machines#!Sailrite-Sewing-Machines

[@bernisphilema7372]

@@SailriteDIY goof

[@idahogirlb]

Thanks for the video. Have you ever steamed the old foam. I have seen it do wonders. Not sure how long it last. On the front band I have seen 1/4 foam and 1/2 inch foam sew in gives a nice smoth finish. I just learning. Any thoughts welcome.

[@SailriteDIY]

We have not steamed the old foam. It sounds interesting. If anyone has done this let us know by leaving a comment.

[@jameslovering9158]

Steam works well to return foam well worth doing ! Not so keen on stuffing material up like shown. Get the foam right before putting the cover on the seat.

[@mmarti2x]

Amazing!

[@williamhall749]

The 1977 came with comfort weave how durable is this boating material ? is this a trim weight or thickness. thanks

[@williamhall749]

I will hire Anglia.

[@Angel626066]

William Hall ..sorry.. I own my own upholstery shop these days lol

[@jaimemar3531]

VERY GOOD...

[@TheUpholstery1]

The pleats would look fuller if you didn't sew on the backside of the sew foam and if you had used 1/4" sew foam for a backing on your boxing. You might not want to continue the pleats the pleats to the edge. You should always try to have a wider band on the side. The untrained eye wouldn't notice . Keep up the good effort.

[@aminaamouna5158]

شكرا

[@nezblass2805]

Nic work!!!

[@farasslabiad4163]

عمل جيد ومتقن 💓

[@joegonzalez84]

hi, is there a certain piping foot ? (like In size)

[@SailriteDIY]

+Barbie Hdz Yes, we have many different sized cording / piping feet to accommodate applications like this. Check some out here: www.sailrite.com/easearch#!-cording-foot&ea_a=Machine%3ASailrite-111

[@kbtube8125]

27:33, transition from white to blue horizontal seam on backs doesn't match so good. one straight, one curved, and not lined up.

[@stevenduering7155]

Are those OSHA approved flip flops?😂😂

[@carolynekeeler]

Hopefully company owners are exempt ;)

[@charlespartak2435]

nice!!

[@mixtkmix1462]

El delcroonn se aplasta en vestiduras para carro.. Eso no funciona

[@johansanchez9100]

Awesome but very difficult.

[@sergiodagnilli3602]

brava

[@spartanwolf0368]

Me: at 1:18 did i click on a mathematics video 😑

[@Onry1]

Why didn't they paint the seat frame, it's in the details when restoring something...

[@SailriteDIY]

Good suggestion!

[@filthbomb]

Because its a ridiculous waste of time and paint 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@danielgaughan4243]

She doesn't even have to wear shoes at her job. How cool is that. And she doesn't seem very stressed.

[@jimbob3708]

As someone that does this job outside of KZbin... realistically, you do need shoes lol.

[@danielgaughan4243]

@@jimbob3708 I guess so, especially with staples and nails and needles.

[@danielgaughan4243]

@@jimbob3708 I got a quote of one thousand dollars for the seat and seat back of a bench seat for a 1950 Power Wagon. Does that seem about right? And they're backed-up four months.

[@jimbob3708]

@@danielgaughan4243 Honestly.. that depends on how you want the seat done. Is it totally destroyed? It's a 50, that means lots of cotton, burlap, jute felt... that's a lot of work. Spring repairs, too. If it's a straight bench, I'd probably do it for more like 800 for a complete, springs/up rebuild with a basic cover.

[@danielgaughan4243]

@@jimbob3708 The fabric is destroyed, I'm not sure about the springs. They're "there" but I don't know how much spring they're supposed to have. It is a very basic bench seat.

[@rainbowpandasays8851]

Mack Maxidyne Sorry rings at 10 : 56 scream taken.

[@manuelcastellanos8707]

gfe

[@EvermontKing]

Who makes all this fabric and that machine?

[@SailriteDIY]

We sell the fabric and sewing machines at this link: www.sailrite.com/

[@torah57mitch]

Hay this is #torah57mitch I really like you how to videos

[@timcynth76]

do sell that seat cover you make

[@AndreysLife]

What color fabric is this?

[@SailriteDIY]

It was a Sunbrella Sling Fabric but I think the color is discontinued. Here is a link: www.sailrite.com/search?keywords=sunbrella%20sling For the vinyl we used Naugahyde Universal Dark Navy: www.sailrite.com/Naugahyde-Universal-Dark-Navy-54

[@carolynekeeler]

Audrey - I often order Sailrite's fabric samples if I am doing a custom job. The samples are only $2 :)

[@kristopherdb]

What’s it cost to have this done?

[@SailriteDIY]

This is about a 8 to 10 hour job and most canvas and upholstery shops charge about $65 per hour (this does not include the materials required).

[@stevenkryptonite1641]

Did you keep the patterns for that cover?

[@keeptrying_not2late2change]

Sailrite Isn't it cheaper sometimes to buy used seats? Sometimes they have likenew seats way cheaper than that.... Anyways, wish I could do what you guys do, looks awesome 👍