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Author
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Topic: 71 Mach Interior Install?
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MrXerox
Gearhead Posts: 241
From: Oklahoma, Oklahoma, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 02-02-2003 07:22 PM
   
I have been saving up some cash to get the carpet and seats redone on my 71 Mach and after doing some research on old posts have decided to take a crack at doing this myself. I see as far as carpet goes, everyone seems to like Auto Custom Carpet the best. What vendor sells this brand? Also, what do you guys suggest in the way of upholstery vendor wise? I already have new door panels and headliner so all I will be buying is the buckets and rear seat. I am going to take the advice of an earlier post and buy a good set of hog ring pliers from Eastwood but need to know if I need the straight or bent pair or both? Also, Would it be a good idea to buy the stretching pliers as well or could I make do using something else? Thanks gang...
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cobravenom71
Gearhead Posts: 441
From: KIssimee, Fl USA
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 02-02-2003 07:52 PM
NPD has everything you need. The carpets from ACC are just like the originals, and if you are getting the 'Mach 1' carpets, which were part of the optional Mach 1 interior (even on Mach 1s!), you will be happy with the quality.
Make sure you also get the highest quality underlayment with the carpet. It will make the rug sit better, and the car will be quieter when you drive.
There are a couple of things to consider when you get the new seat covers. TMI makes a far superior, high-quality product, and that is the brand that NPD sells. Thicker vinyl, solid piping, and excellent fit. One problem however: On the 71-73 Mach 1 seat covers, the two accent stripes on each seat cover are made from a high quality piece of vinyl, but it is not in the right color or grain. The appearance of this stripe is very obviously different from an original seat. It doesn't look bad, it's just different. Normally, the factory stripes match in color with the mats that are sewed in to the Mach 1 carpets. The TMI seats will not match the carpet runners, so consider that.
Now there are seat covers availible from 'Distinctive Industries' that are a perfecr match for the original seats: correct color and grain. The only problem is the accent stripe has been painted the correct color instaed of being made in the correct color. The color of the stripe will wear off through normal use in a very short time, showing the white color underneath.And while these seats are of decent quality, they are not as good as the TMI's.
'John's Mustang' in Texas sells the 'DI' brand covers.
As far as you doiung the work yourself, it is very, very easy. The plier and hog-ring kit that NPD sells is perfectly adequate. I have used those pliers on 5 sets of seats with no problems.
A couple of tricks I use are this. I put 'Saran Wrap' around the seat foam and spray a tiny amount of WD-40 on it to make the seat covers easier to move around on the foam for a good fit. Even for a first timer, it's a piece of cake. Good Luck! Kit.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 29373
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 02-02-2003 08:04 PM
One thing I've been hearing by a person I know that's an uphosterer is that you should always use new seat buns if you want them the seat covers to look good and factory. It makes sense, even though it drives up the expense. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Please remember our sponsors,
Mustangs Plus, NPD, Osborn Reproductions, MyFordPerformance.com, and FordRamAir.com
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PONYMAN
Gearhead Posts: 219
From: Ardmore, Ok. USA
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 02-02-2003 09:36 PM
Amen get the new seat buns and the good ones. I recovered my seats orginally and used the old buns. When I did it the second time I used the new buns and what a diference in fit and FEEL. My covers are TMI, and they match the runner in my carpets. Ginger interior. Don't know about the other colors. Got them from NPD and ACC carpets. Can't tell you about installations tools. Got a shop that works cheap when they aren't rushed and they installed my front and back covers for $75. They also used spray glue on my carpets, and this really made them lay down and conform to the curves. Of course they are made to fit, but the glue down really made them look nice.
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PONYMAN
Gearhead Posts: 219
From: Ardmore, Ok. USA
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 02-02-2003 09:39 PM
Hey just noticed that you are from Oklahoma also. What part. I hope you aren't buying from Oklahoma Mustang. They are higher than everybody else and I don't feel that they give very good service. Only stuff that I bought was a few odds and ends when I happened to be in OKC for other reasons.
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skips69
Gearhead Posts: 176
From: Catlin, IL USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 02-03-2003 08:32 AM
All good advice here on this subject, so you can see many of us have re-upholstered our own seats and it can be done by anyone. Get the better set of hog ring pliers, if your foam is bad, replace it, or at the very least build it up some with duct tape and cover any tears (hey. it works when you're on a budget). Also make sure to lay the new covers out in the sun for awhile, or place near a heat source to get the wrinkles out from packing and also make them more pliable and easier to work with and stretch. I personally used wax paper to help get mine on, so that is something I would have on hand as well. Can't tell you about re-attaching the Mach 1 seat emblems as they were already missing from the set I did for my dad's 73', so hopefully they are pretty staright forward, or someone on here will chime in with that information for your installation.
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PONYMAN
Gearhead Posts: 219
From: Ardmore, Ok. USA
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 02-03-2003 09:04 AM
On the subject of the metal seat emblems. They are bradded onto a metal strip which goes behind the seat covers. You have to grind the brad off to get them loose from the old covers. The upholstery shop didn't really want to put them back on. They said that after grinding the brad off they weren't long enoughto go back through the upholstery and the metal strip and be bradded back down. I insisted, and they actualy welded mine back to the metal strip instead of being bradded. They completely covered the new uphohlstery in heavy duty aluminumn foil before doig this, so as not to burn the new covers.
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cobravenom71
Gearhead Posts: 441
From: KIssimee, Fl USA
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 02-03-2003 09:21 AM
Yeah, those seat buttons are a real pain to attach, but it sure makes the seats look better.
On the black w/ gray stripe Mach 1 seats from TMI, the gray stripe is very light in color whereas the originals were dark gray. Also, the grain on the originals (in all colors) was a tight pebble-grain type finish, and the TMI has a smooth, very lightly grained finish. Personally, I think the TMI version looks better than the originals due to the greater contrasting colors, but it most definately not original.
I never thought of the wax paper idea...Sounds like a great idea!
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