New leather going in!

Philo · Post by **Philo** » Nov 10, 2011 6:26 PM

OcCoupe wrote:
wkohler wrote:Hey Phil, you have to give the leather a couple of weeks to tighten up. It's not fair to criticize a freshly done job in those respects.
Chris is correct, I just had my seats refinished and I noticed that almost all surfaces had a little extra material, I went to the SoCal Vintage where the car sat in the sun for several hours and most all of the loose leather tightened up and now fits superbly. I think this was very intentional.

Maybe.... All I'm saying is I have smaller wrinkles on my headrests then what Chris shows in his pics and mine haven't smoothed out yet. The cause of the wrinkles is due to how the leather is cut/shaped and sewn. As a long time sail maker and awning manufacturer it was all about aesthetics. We chased visual flaws on a daily basis.

Loose leather in flat areas yes.., this will tighten up. Diagonal wrinkles and push-wrinkles caused by the way the leather is cut and sewn will not. Look at Chris' pic of the headrest in the lower corners. As the sewing operator made that radius turn, trying to sew a straight piece of leather to a curve, and with a welting strip sandwiched in the middle, it's really hard to keep it all in sync as you walk the needle around the radius.

Again.., the job looks great and considering having Jims do my rear seats since I don't have the time and the seat base has split. And if i take my seat to them I walk a no wrinkle guarantee

leadphut · Post by **leadphut** » Nov 10, 2011 7:19 PM

Just found this thread. Beautiful job done! Congrats!

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Nov 10, 2011 7:22 PM

I really don't understand why people bother sharing the things they do to their cars. There is always some turd in the punchbowl.

Philo · Post by **Philo** » Nov 10, 2011 7:30 PM

wkohler wrote:I really don't understand why people bother sharing the things they do to their cars. There is always some turd in the punchbowl.

So who/what is the "turd" in your statement ?

OcCoupe · Post by **OcCoupe** » Nov 10, 2011 7:46 PM

Philo wrote:
wkohler wrote:I really don't understand why people bother sharing the things they do to their cars. There is always some turd in the punchbowl.
So who/what is the "turd" in your statement ?

Chris you took the words right out of my mouth. Why rain on someone else's parade.

TSMacNeil · Post by **TSMacNeil** » Nov 10, 2011 7:51 PM

No shit, how incredibly inconsiderate. It's not even my car and it pissed me off.

oldskool · Post by **oldskool** » Nov 10, 2011 8:01 PM

Chris you took the words right out of my mouth. Why rain on someone else's parade.[/quote]

The man has an educated opinion. Granted, not overly welcome in this particular thread but an opinion I've learned from.
When I go buy a sandwich or have yard work done I can critique every action and know I'm right but why bother?

Philo · Post by **Philo** » Nov 10, 2011 8:11 PM

I thought so. Nice Kohler.., really nice

My comments are meant to be constructive as this is something I know quite a bit about. Knowing how much TurboChris paid for this job I felt I could post publicly, without retribution, and allow Chris to decide whether he should talk to Jims or not. Like I said., I'm thinking about taking my rear seat to Jims as I do like their work. But to pay $1500 and get workmanship blemishes in THE most visible part of the seat is not acceptable. At least not to me. It's a matter of getting what you pay for.

TurboChris.., I apologize for my comments. This is not a criticism of you or your ride. Although some here like to paint it that way. But now that Kohler did his typical dick maneuver and slammed another member for his comments, I'll lay it out for you. 90% of your recover project looks perfect .., the head rests do not. Go back to Jims and they will fix it for you no problem. As I said in my last post.., sewing that corner is very difficult and takes a great deal of skill. Maybe one of the less experienced employees sewed that piece, not sure. But everything else look amazing. I'd still like to see the underside of the headrest as I don't think Jims trimmed up correctly.

KillerPM · Post by **KillerPM** » Nov 10, 2011 8:15 PM

Philo wrote:I thought so. Nice Kohler.., really nice

My comments are meant to be constructive as this is something I know quite a bit about. Knowing how much TurboChris paid for this job I felt I could post publicly, without retribution, and allow Chris to decide whether he should talk to Jims or not. Like I said., I'm thinking about taking my rear seat to Jims as I do like their work. But to pay $1500 and get workmanship blemishes in THE most visible part of the seat is not acceptable. At least not to me. It's a matter of getting what you pay for.

TurboChris.., I apologize for my comments. This is not a criticism of you or your ride. Although some here like to paint it that way. But now that Kohler did his typical dick maneuver and slammed another member for his comments, I'll lay it out for you. 90% of your recover project looks perfect .., the head rests do not. Go back to Jims and they will fix it for you no problem. As I said in my last post.., sewing that corner is very difficult and takes a great deal of skill. Maybe one of the less experienced employees sewed that piece, not sure. But everything else look amazing. I'd still like to see the underside of the headrest as I don't think Jims trimmed up correctly.

I think this belongs in Tech Talk now...

Philo · Post by **Philo** » Nov 10, 2011 8:23 PM

KillerPM wrote:
Philo wrote:I thought so. Nice Kohler.., really nice

My comments are meant to be constructive as this is something I know quite a bit about. Knowing how much TurboChris paid for this job I felt I could post publicly, without retribution, and allow Chris to decide whether he should talk to Jims or not. Like I said., I'm thinking about taking my rear seat to Jims as I do like their work. But to pay $1500 and get workmanship blemishes in THE most visible part of the seat is not acceptable. At least not to me. It's a matter of getting what you pay for.

TurboChris.., I apologize for my comments. This is not a criticism of you or your ride. Although some here like to paint it that way. But now that Kohler did his typical dick maneuver and slammed another member for his comments, I'll lay it out for you. 90% of your recover project looks perfect .., the head rests do not. Go back to Jims and they will fix it for you no problem. As I said in my last post.., sewing that corner is very difficult and takes a great deal of skill. Maybe one of the less experienced employees sewed that piece, not sure. But everything else look amazing. I'd still like to see the underside of the headrest as I don't think Jims trimmed up correctly.
I think this belongs in Tech Talk now...

I agree .... NICE !! I'll never live that one down., hence my sig.

TSMacNeil · Post by **TSMacNeil** » Nov 10, 2011 8:37 PM

Just a few thoughts on this. First, the backlash about your post is not precipitated by Kohler, it's precipitated by your comments. You wrote what you wrote, knowing full well that it for every compliment you offered, you countered with a criticism. All of this following dozens of compliments from other posters...the "tall grass" as it were.
Even in your post to TurboChris above, you apologize and say it looks nice...but you want to see the underside of his headrests as you believe they are cut wrong.
You may be a skilled sailmaker, or even upholsterer, but shitting in the guys thread is just BS. There is a difference between being hyper-critical of your own car, and tossing somebody under the bus when they are clearly proud of theirs.

I'm just leaving that here, food for thought.

Philo · Post by **Philo** » Nov 10, 2011 8:55 PM

TSMacNeil wrote:Just a few thoughts on this. First, the backlash about your post is not precipitated by Kohler, it's precipitated by your comments. You wrote what you wrote, knowing full well that it for every compliment you offered, you countered with a criticism. All of this following dozens of compliments from other posters...the "tall grass" as it were.
Even in your post to TurboChris above, you apologize and say it looks nice...but you want to see the underside of his headrests as you believe they are cut wrong.
You may be a skilled sailmaker, or even upholsterer, but shitting in the guys thread is just BS. There is a difference between being hyper-critical of your own car, and tossing somebody under the bus when they are clearly proud of theirs.

I'm just leaving that here, food for thought.

No it's not.... Kohler is just simply a dick and you and everyone else are opportunists and jumped right in. Chicken shit if you ask me. To clarify.., I said all along that the project looked great except for the headrests. And I didn't agree with Chris.., then disagree for personal gain (throwing someone under the bus).

Paint this any way you want. TurboChris should still go back to Jims and have that fixed. I mean really, look at the headrest pic.., are you guys really satisfied with the way it looks ? Would you accept that on your own car ? I wouldn't. I'm doing TurboChris a favor, being helpful, looking out for his best interest and pocketbook. If TurboChris feels differently I'll apologize and take it all back. No problem.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Nov 10, 2011 9:13 PM

My opinion, as stated earlier, is that the overall appearance is outstanding, and money well spent.

However I think the attack on Philo's comments are a bit harsh.
My $0.02.

oldskool · Post by **oldskool** » Nov 10, 2011 9:21 PM

I'm occupying MyE28.com until we can all get along.
Anyone have any food or blankets?

Karl Grau · Post by **Karl Grau** » Nov 10, 2011 9:27 PM

1st 5er wrote:However I think the attack on Philo's comments are a bit harsh.
My $0.02.

x10

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Nov 10, 2011 9:41 PM

Yep. I'm a dick. That's all there it is to it. I've only had to stand there while two shitheads nitpicked my freshly finished interior not more than 10 minutes after shelling out the cash for it. I don't care what other people think, but it's just plain bad form. I have no problem being the guy that will call you out on it.

I don't care if anyone agrees with me, either.

TurboChris · Post by **TurboChris** » Nov 10, 2011 10:49 PM

Hmmmm, and I'm smack dab in the middle.

To be honest, I don't find Philo's criticism insulting. I guess if I wasn't "thick skinned" maybe I would, but I didn't take it in a mean spirited kind of way. Apparently some of you did. But for me... when someone points out an imperfection...well, if it's there, you can't deny it. My brothers the exact same way. If theres a new ding or scratch on one of my cars, rest assured he'll be the first to notice and point it out to me, haha

After I took the pics I too noticed the headrests. I will even go as far as to say I think they "stand out' more in the pics then they do in person. At least I didn't notice them till I got home.

I tried to check over everything but I was in a bit of a hurry and had a two hour drive ahead of me.

Anyway...so yeah, I didn't notice the head rests and even after I did, I just figured I'd not worry about it. I'm really not a perfectionist and I don't find that it really detracts from the overall appearance of the work.

That said, since now I know that some feel strongly enough that it absolutely wouldn't be acceptable.... I think maybe my standards aren't high enough! I'll call Jims tomorrow and see if I can't arrange to have them corrected.

I appreciate those that felt I was being slighted saying so.... but again, I don't take it personally. In my opinion Philo has before and up to this only expressed concern that I get the best job for my money.

Here's the pics as promised

front seat headrest (looking from behind)

And back headrests (looking from behind)

TurboChris · Post by **TurboChris** » Nov 11, 2011 11:16 AM

Hmmmm, I walked out this morning and looked at the headrests, and I think Kohler may be right and over time they are "tightening" up a little......seems to me there is already some improvement......especially on the passenger side head rest.....snapped a couple pics with the phone..

Drivers side

Passenger side

Mab1957 · Post by **Mab1957** » Nov 11, 2011 11:57 AM

Original seat backs or recovered?

Looks nice!

TurboChris · Post by **TurboChris** » Nov 11, 2011 2:32 PM

recovered

nateK · Post by **nateK** » Feb 23, 2012 1:05 PM

looks fantastic!!! is that armrest aftermarket?

My528e.awesome · Post by **My528e.awesome** » Feb 23, 2012 1:55 PM

Oh my..... That is so damn nice. I hope I can afford to do this one day.

fulanorock · Post by **fulanorock** » Feb 29, 2012 5:53 PM

Hey Chris!
Thanks for being so helpful and thorough! I'll post pic soon.
Danny

TurboChris · Post by **TurboChris** » Mar 01, 2012 1:39 AM

No problem Danny, good talking to you. I'll look forward to meeting up sometime and checking out your car.