7 replies to this topic

[drlava]

Did a search and it didn't come up with anything, so I thought I'd bring this up. Seats are finally wearing out up front, apparently the much lauded 'florida' history of this car means the seats are dried and cracking and unfortunately so are some of the hoses and seals... I checked the local (cleveland) upholsterer and they said 1 hide per seat at 400 ea and 350 labor!! that totals 1500 for the two front seats!
Now, being a do-it-yourselfer, I figure that I might be able to take the leathers off, open them up, cut them apart at the seams, and use the panels as a pattern for new that I cut out of hides. My honey loves to sew SO, does anyone know where would be a good place to buy new hides? My interior is light tan, a pretty common color I would think. If I could get hides (auto-quality, UV treated) at 100-200 ea that would save a ton of money. Or if there's a reasonable upholsterer someone could reccommend that would be great too.

[PyROZen]

any fabric store near you should be able to order leather skins for you. Not sure about the cost but expect to pay a nice chunk of change. Also, you shoulda posted this in comestics, not maintience. Fill out your location info and maybe someone who lives near oyu could recommened a good upholstry shop.

also, if you drive an 850, you could redo the leather door inserts like i did:
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=14258&hl=
super easy mod that took only 2 days and $40.

pyro

[beachnut]

Well, since you're a DIY'er and you're already comfortable with $200 each side (that would be $400 for the front), why not spend another $400 and get all new front and rear seat skins, including headrests and rear bolsters from Classic Soft Trim ? They make a kit for the '98 S70 that will fit in our 850 sedans. Then your DW wouldn't have to sew

[drlava]

Hey, thanks for the suggestion. I called them up and they quoted 900 for the leathers and 1200 installed. still quite a bit more than cutting and sewing (and 400), but getting there. not bad for all new interior I guess, but all I really need is the seat bottoms and the drivers left bucketback (don't we all!) I wish they had a kit like that for half the price. That would make a lot of owners very happy I think.

[beachnut]

$900 sounds right for the kit ... I forgot, they did tell me $895. The labor is all on you though, so you'll save there. The way I look at piece-meal repairs is that nothing will ever match, i.e. just doing the seat bottoms or a panel here and there.

[jwmerrill]

Well, since you're a DIY'er and you're already comfortable with $200 each side (that would be $400 for the front), why not spend another $400 and get all new front and rear seat skins, including headrests and rear bolsters from Classic Soft Trim ? They make a kit for the '98 S70 that will fit in our 850 sedans. Then your DW wouldn't have to sew 

Beachnut.

Thanks for posting that link! I've been thinking about custom seats for my C70, and they have a location here in town. I'll be calling them today.

jwm

[mykidsarebrats123]

check out www.autoleathers.com they can make you a nice 2 tone set of your choice of colors and stiching. For my sho it was $1050 front and back seats and door panel inserts

[beachnut]

Beachnut.

Thanks for posting that link! I've been thinking about custom seats for my C70, and they have a location here in town. I'll be calling them today.

jwm

No problem Jim. I've had that mod on my list since day one I got a kit last year for my Mazda van and the product looked very nice. Unfortunately I got it from a 3rd party installer on eBay and it didn't fit correctly since I didn't have side-impact bags. Luckily he took it back. As soon as I get my turbo upgrade out of the way I'll be looking at doing the leather in the Volvo, probably a two-tone light tan/dark tan combo.

You thinking about having them install it?