Redoing seats, Cessna Cardinal

TulsaWeather

TulsaWeather

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Tips on seat repadding/reupholstery are greatly appreciated.

Padding: Soft or firm?
Bolsters: Seat? Back? High or low bolsters?
Material: Vinyl? Leather? Fabric? A mix?

What is your experience, and would you do it again?

Lastly, Thank you!
 
weigh and record each seat assembly before and after.

I'd do fabric seats over again. Too hot for leather/vinyl IMHO.
 
TulsaWeather said:
Padding: Soft or firm?
Bolsters: Seat? Back? High or low bolsters?
Material: Vinyl? Leather? Fabric? A mix?
Click to expand...
Most of my customers would copy OEM padding and style and would go with a material they would want to sell it with, then add seat covers. And if you have a willing mechanic to sign for the work, my go to was to take all the upholstery to the local master and have him perform the recover to include the use of flame resistant materials. But if your DIYing under prevent mx rock on, however, as noted mind the before/after weights of the seats to see if it affects the empty weight.
 
I went with Airtex cloth/vinyle material and did it myself.
It took some time and patience. I did one seat at a time and kept my plane flying.
Did the back seat first for practice and then the passenger seat. Then I put it on the pilots side and did the pilot seat last after some practice.
All of them came out great.
 
Just had our commander done.

Old seats. New foam with lumbar. New seats with commander logo headrest. We decided on the sheepskin instead of the typical fabric. It’s very comfortable especially with the lumbar support.


IMG_7039.jpegIMG_7050.jpegIMG_7077.jpeg
 
I just did my seats. I look at various options including Airtex (about $2000 for vinyl). Some quote around town reflected that they didn't want the work, others flat out told me they wouldn't touch an aircraft but I found a place for $3,000 in leather with burn certificates. He knew exactly what is needed as he does work for shops on the field.

I have yet to fly in the new seats as I'm redoing the rest of the interior.
 
I have used automotive upholstery shops. most fabric suppliers can supply required burn data, usually to a cert basis equivalent to faa. also, there's a AC devoted to simple burn test as well you can follow, or a few places that you can mail samples to for faa specific doc, either way A&P could use for for basis to sign it off. I think cost was about 1/3 for same job compared to aviation shop.

I know a few guys also that supplied faa certified materials to local car shop, and it worked out well, and put documents in log book in case someone asks. I expect already faa approved materials can be bought on line somewhere.
 
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