Red Seat Reupholstery

[ajordan282]

squarebody wizards,

I need to re-cover the bench seat in my '83 GMC High Sierra K10. The seat is red velour and vinyl, like the ones in the pics linked below (I don't have a pic of my actual seat right now).

https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0511-107286/1983-gmc-sierra-3500-pickup/
http://www.2040-cars.com/gmc/sierra-1500/black-truck-gmc-chevy-stepside-1983-c10-552738/
http://www.1990suburban.com/facts/year_comparisons/1986_gmc_suburban/index.cfm

I want to recover it to look just like the original, but the cover I got from LMC (PN 38-2297-RD) is much darker. Maroon as opposed to RED.

Anyone got a lead on someone that sells *original* lookin' red seat covers?
Thanks!

 

[shiftpro]

Put it out in the sun, it will fade to red... or pink haha!

 

[bucket]

Reproduction seat covers for our trucks are just generic fits-all type. That's a bit of an exaggeration of course. But seriously, they are more to please the guys that just want their seat not ripped anymore.

If you want your seat the correct color for your year and/or a close to correct fabric, your best bet is taking your seat to an upholstery shop and having it recovered there.

 

[Blue Ox]

Here's a thought. How do you know your original upholstery hasn't faded? Maybe the replacement cover is the correct color. Everything in these trucks takes a beating over time and red is notoriously fade prone.

 

[ajordan282]

Thanks for the replies all!

Its definitely not faded...its a BRIGHT red just like the ones in the links i posted.

I may just go the route @bucket suggested. It does seem that they're simply selling generic covers, not OE repro quality stuff - other than the color, i believe the width of the stitching is wider (though I haven't measured yet). Its just not a match at all unfortunately

If anyone else has leads on repro quality seat covers for these big beautiful beasts...please chime in!!!

 

[bucket]

I have not found any restoration quality seat covers. Just the inaccurate fixer upper type covers.

And there were most certainly different shades of red used through the years. I know '82 was still a bright red, and by '84 it was more of a maroon. Then it brightened up again in '89 I think (Burbs).

Just like there were differrnt shades of tan and gray. But they just sell generic colors mostly.

 

[CSFJ]

Try USA1 Industries. This is the cover I ordered from them.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[bucket]

Try USA1 Industries. This is the cover I ordered from them.

You must be registered for see images attach

That's what I mean, the pattern is close on that one. But the material used is nothing like the original that GM used. The color looks good though.

 

[CSFJ]

That's what I mean, the pattern is close on that one. But the material used is nothing like the original that GM used. The color looks good though.

The velour that the grey cover is made from, feels and looks very much like the factory brown cover that was originally on that seat.

 

[donnieray]

Try USA1 Industries. This is the cover I ordered from them.

You must be registered for see images attach

My grey with vinyl from LMC. I was pleased with the quality and appearance.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[ajordan282]

@CSFJ i think that's basically the cover I have, but mine's in 'red' (actually maroon though, lol). yours looks really good!

maybe i'm being too picky.

i took another close look at mine last night and am feeling better about it. Its definitely a darker red than the '83 OE (probably meant to match the later model year per @bucket ).

maybe i'll settle. I was initially hooked on the serious POP of the OE bright red, but the deeper darker maroon may turn out looking ok.

guess i should call my upholstery guy and see what he'd charge me to make one that matches OE. can't imagine its going to be too cheap though...hmm

again thanks for all the help, folks.

 

[bucket]

Don't get me wrong, the aftermarket covers seem like good quality and fit good too. It's just that some folks would like OEM appearing fabrics and colors. There's a big big difference between 'similar' and 'correct'.