This one's probably a long shot, but does anybody out there have a pattern for the upholstery on the seats? I'm hoping to swap the ageing material on my seats for some vinyl/PVC, and I need to measure up to find some costs.

If anyone near Essex has got a set of doors, that would be nice too!

Don't go for plastic seat material!!

There aren't many of us on here old enough to remember the 60s and 70s cars with PVC seats, but believe me - they are terrible in hot weather.

If you have the time and skill to repair the seat covers, have a look at real upholstery cloth - consider something like "dylon" to colour the fabric the correct general shade before you fit it...

I remember vinyl seats - my dad had a 1960s VW Transporter and it wasn't fun to sit in there with shorts on in the summer! There's no way I can afford upholstery leather, but I thought I might try and price up PVC for the seats (It's around £7 per metre sq for the fire retardant stuff if I remember correctly).

I was also thinking of making some changes to the padding in the seats as I find myself sliding out of the seat if I attempt anything that looks like a corner!

Originally posted by twamgle
I was also thinking of making some changes to the padding in the seats as I find myself sliding out of the seat if I attempt anything that looks like a corner!

Click to expand...

It might be simpler to fit better shaped seats from something else.. depends if your metalwork skills are comparable with the upholstery skills

The basic Panda seats are OK, but...
the internal foam also suffers when they get old, and as you say - there isn't much lateral support to encourage enthusiastic cornering

In terms of support - the Lancia Y10 seats (which fit straight in without modification) are better in that respect, but they are probably rarer than half decent Panda seats.

The other thing with DIY upholstery is it doesn't need to be leather (you would slide out of leather faced seat even quicker than normal), and there are some fairly heavy guage fabrics about - depends what gets made in your part of the world what filters down into the market.
There are "interesting" materials in the "Rag Market" in Birmingham:I but it varies on an almost weekly basis.

'tis probably an horrendous idea to most people out there but,
... when the upholstery got tired and dirty in the old 4x4 Panda I gave it a quick coat of black gloss paint, straight over the fabric. I worked surprisingly well.

HHmmmmmmm

"IT" worked surprisingly well !!!! ,not I.:I

HHmmmmmmm

When the side windows on the car become dirty give them a coat of black gloss too. Cheap but effective 'privacy glass.'

Hmmmn.

Fix It Again Tony!
Would swap for X19, Montecarlo Spider or GT.i.e in average/poor condition! Scottish based would be nice.

Martiny !...what a brilliant idea. Will it effectively cover layers of dog-slobber ?

As for my suggestion...it really works[}]

HHmmmmmmm

Just find cheap seats in the scrappy somewhere it´s cheaper and easier the redoing the originals.

_____________________________________________________________
If you have any questions don´t be afraid, ask away. I´ll be glad to help.

Absolutely, watch the black paint take off the years slobber puts on.

Fix It Again Tony!
Would swap for X19, Montecarlo Spider or GT.i.e in average/poor condition! Scottish based would be nice.

Martiny...thank you.
I have the same philosophy with rear windows as with ashtrays.......I've got so many spares that when they get dirty; I replace them !

HHmmmmmmm

Originally posted by twamgle
This one's probably a long shot, but does anybody out there have a pattern for the upholstery on the seats? I'm hoping to swap the ageing material on my seats for some vinyl/PVC, and I need to measure up to find some costs.

Click to expand...

BTW - what pattern/colours are you after...

If your Panda is a late white painted CLX with that funny blue/green/yellow horizontal pattern which seems to wear through on the drivers seat - I <s>have</s> HAD a rear seat covered with quite a bit of that fabric.
<s>That seat will be going to meet its maker in the next few days.</s>



GONE.

I've got an '88 F reg Panda Super (999cc FIRE) which has really bland but not disgusting blue fabric, which is reproduced on the inside of the doors and the rear quarters. There's also annoying black trim down the outside of the car!

pandafan said:

'tis probably an horrendous idea to most people out there but,
... when the upholstery got tired and dirty in the old 4x4 Panda I gave it a quick coat of black gloss paint, straight over the fabric. I worked surprisingly well.

HHmmmmmmm

Click to expand...

I know this is an old thread, but I'm shocked!

i use this company for seat material...

http://www.worlduph.com/primo.htm

I know this is an old thread, but I'm shocked!

Why?

Sandra's Panda Panda is purely our 'dog-car'. It is now a two-seater with a rubber-lined rear, complete with drain-holes, so that we can hose it out,
Giving the upholstery a coat of gloss seemed like a good idea at the time and has proved itself over time.
The panda was designed as a utility vehicle ... we're just keeping the dream alive !

I know I've shown this before, but if any seats needed the black paint treatment it was Asbos!!!

pandafan, it just amused me that you painted your seats!

Jim, no arguement there!

I must admit it's pretty antisocial - but nice and clean, and close to the "fabric table" on the parts CD.

Attached is yours, and some of the alternatives...

you would have thought it being a blue car, the interior would have been 1S344. at least its not 1S121

thankfully my seats are the older multi coloured lines (look like cord).