PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

Richard Wooldridge · #4 07-07-2006, 11:20 AM

I watched while the shop reupholstered my seats and replaced the carpeting, and it's not an easy job. They removed the top for access, then removed both seats and stripped out the old carpeting. Then they spent 1/2 hr or so vacuuming and cleaning the car. The new carpeting was an OEM match with stitched edge material, and they sprayed it and the location it was going on with glue, let it dry, then sprayed the carpeting again, let it dry, then applied it. The seats were a bear to do - it took them over 1/2 hr to disassemble each seat. Then they had to repair the frames (straightened the frames back to new specs), repair the screw hole for the rear cover, fix the seat latching mechanisms, springs, etc. The seat pads are made of horsehair, and they had new ones on hand "just in case". My pads were ok, so they reinforced them with some extra foam underneath, then installed the new leather covers. Believe me, they don't "just slide on"! I'd say they spent at least 2 hours on each seat getting the leather "just right", and these were people that do this on Mercedes SLs for a living! They also spent some time on the slider racks for the seats, cleaning and lubing. I took the car in at 8AM, and two people worked on it all day, they finished it at around 7:30PM. It looks fantastic, just like new now! After watching them, I'm not sure I would have been able to do the job nearly as well. Also, they had a large supply of seat parts, pads, etc on hand and replaced everything that wasn't up to new standards. So, keep in mind that when you get the seat covers off there may be things to fix or replace! The newer seats have a better type of spring than the earlier seats do, and last better. Mine didn't need the springs replaced, but a common problem is that the springs break. Another very common problem is that the driver's seat back bends out of shape on the armrest side.
Good luck with it!