Upholstery Suggestions?! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Peyton300TD · #1 10-08-2003, 10:58 AM

Being the vintage forum and all, I thought you may have experience with reupholstery and may be able to offer me some suggestions as to where to buy from.

I am looking at World Upholstery for new seat covers.

I was in an upholstery shop the other day and the guy told me the source he uses is meticulous about stitching and has a perfect product. I asked who they were, he told me "a shop in California" and wouldn't reveal who.

So does anyone have any suggestions or comments?

Eric

psfred · #2 10-08-2003, 08:39 PM

Adsit, WorldUphostery, and several other places sell OEM style covers. There is also a shop in California that specializes in them, mentioned on either this list or the W108 list at mbz.org, but I have no personal experience.

I posted some pics of the vinyl seat covers I made for the front seats of the 280 -- leather is almost done, will finish now that winter is here, and I have plans for the 300D W115 my brother has.

Peter

Peyton300TD · #3 10-08-2003, 09:52 PM

Peter, thanks for your tips!!!

Where did you post those pics?

Eric

psfred · #4 10-08-2003, 10:13 PM

Yikes, that was more than a week ago, man!

Somewhere on the vintage forum, search for "seat covers" ought to get it.

Peter

suginami · #5 10-09-2003, 01:19 AM

The place in California that makes the "perfect-fitting" seat hydes is probably GAHH. They have a website:

www.gahh.com

My local dealer recommends them highly.

300SDog · #6 10-09-2003, 01:41 AM

Let me guess, the problem with original seatcovers on your 123 wagon is tan MBtex faded to pale flesh color...... some folks believe this happens because the cars "want" to be human, resembling their owners. Quick solution that will put the car in its place is vinyl spray paint designed for vinyl, leather and fabric. You can buy this at many auto parts shops and its good stuff that never peels or cracks. I used it on an armrest and it never wore out after applying several coats before installing the armrest. Comes in many colors - unscrew the driver's door pull handle to match the color.

Peyton300TD · #7 10-09-2003, 10:15 AM

dieseldog,

thanks for the tip. you're right to some degree. the lips of the seat have faded to flesh color. and yea, it's becuase my car is beginning its transformation to a human.

BUT also, there are several cracks taking over the driver's seat. new upholstery isn't THAT expensive, it is expensive, but not too bad. i can get away with $600 on new headrest covers, seat covers and armrest cover. to me thats' worth it for the "new" feel and look. another BIG reason I want new ones is because im getting the piping on the seats in a dark brown. that will look sharp.

suginami! thank you! looks reputable. ill send them an email today, compare their garuntee with world upholstery and prices. i think i may go with gahh in the end.

cheers

eric

#8 10-09-2003, 12:32 PM

Eric, I would also budget for new seat pads, at least on the driver's seat. Be certain that your upholsterer takes a look at the seat frame once he pulls everything apart. I know you're not a sumo wrestler, but 240+K miles is a lot of wear and tear on the frame.

Make certain the foundation of the house is sound before installing a new roof.

Peyton300TD · #9 10-09-2003, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulC
I know you're not a sumo wrestler, but 240+K miles is a lot of wear and tear on the frame.

Make certain the foundation of the house is sound before installing a new roof.

LOL, hahahahaa. sounds like a good idea.

Peyton300TD · #10 10-09-2003, 01:56 PM

Okay, here's what i found out.

GAHH wants $638 for full seat covers, headrests, and armrest in the front. no extra charge for the dark piping.

World Upholstery wants $580 for the same.

Here is what is interesting:

GAHH wants $92 per rubberized horsehair replacement padding.
World Upholstery wants $132 for the same.

So now i have to decide where to get what!

Eric

Peyton300TD · #11 10-09-2003, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dieseldiehard
...importance, especially to one that drives a lot. my 2-cents!

thanks dieseldiehard!

guess what?! i am moving to SF in a month or so. perhaps we can get together at some point so i can see YOUR wagons.

did you buy upholstery from World Uph?

is it pretty straight forward replacing the upholstery?

I was shocked today to see that Perf Prod wants $150 for a new spring set. yikes!

Eric

psfred · #12 10-10-2003, 08:29 PM

One complaint I hear a lot about MB upholstery is that it is too hard. I fixed that in the 280 seats by using 1" polyurethane foam (not as firm as I wanted, but it worked out fine) rather than the cotton padding in the original seats. The cotton has gotten squashed over the roughly 200,000 miles on the car.

The original horsehair is fine, and I like the support, but I've found the seats in the W124 ar nicer to ride in for long periods since they have foam in them -- less pressure on the bones in my behind (not that there isn't way to much "other" padding back there...).

The foam in the 280 seats simply lets me "float" over the nice firm pads, much like I remember german seats of that vintage sitting 30 years ago when they were new.

Always an option with the original style leather with deep pleats. The MB Tex by 1975 was either heat or sonic welded with thin foam, not nearly as nice as the earlier (72) seats.

Peter

pj67coll · #13 10-10-2003, 09:32 PM

Dieseldiehard.

I agree with you. I prefer the older, firmer, seats. My 108's seats were more comfortable than my 123's (84 model) and I would even consider replacing the later style with the older one.

- Peter.

sublettd · #14 10-11-2003, 01:49 PM

I'll cast my vote with GAHH for interior materials. I ordered black velour OE carpet for my SL from them...at what I thought was a very reasonable price...and received it promptly. What was interesting is the OE carpet I received was far superior to the factory installed OE carpet.

I'll use GAHH for any future interior materials.

Peyton300TD · #15 10-11-2003, 02:01 PM

hey thanks for your opinions, it makes me even more pleased i picked GAHH to make my covers. ill keep you posted!!

eric