Seat pads

[Larry & Norma]

I have purchased some new seat and seat back pads from KHM in Germany, they are of excellent quality made
of dense foam and horsehair. I have managed to install the seat pads after a lot of effort bur I am really struggling
with the seat back pads, is there a method to doing this, maybe some sort of lubricant? or do I need to grow
muscles!!

[kampala]

There are probably more "professional" ways of doing this but this low-tech method has worked ...  If the covers are very tight, you can wrap the top of the pad with a slippery plastic bag.  Typically you wrap the bag from top to about 1/3 of the way down. I have not done the seat-backs on a Pagoda, but have done them on other cars with the plastic method.

best of luck ... photos would be great.

[Larry & Norma]

Thanks for that, sounds like it might work.
I have reinstalled the seats with the old pads for now but will try
the 'plastic bag' method at a later date and report here with
results.

[sandcrab59]

When I did my seats over with leather (which was in the box for 4 years) it did not shrink.
After getting the leather on as far as it would go, I used wratchet straps which pulled the seats tighter and gently put the leather in place around the seat.
You work around the seat you cannot do it all with one pull.
Tom

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Norm,

I'm thinking you may try and let Mother Nature give you a helping hand (thinking about co efficient of expansion) let it expand a bit in the sunlight then give it a try ... Might just work.

Then again I might be way out in left field here having dealt only with hard materials (steel, brass, aluminum etc.) all my life.

[Doug McAllister]

Hello Larry
I was reading your post from a couple of years ago. I am considering the KHM pads. They are much less expensive than the GAHH / World and others, and appear to be good quality as you stated.
Have yours held up? Would you buy them again?
How did you get the covers over them? Did you use the plastic bag as mentioned by kampala? Any recommendations?
Thanks
Doug

[Larry & Norma]

Hi Doug,
I did try again with the plastic bags but still found it a real struggle. So I have
reinstalled the old ones and decided they are not really that bad!
So anyone want to buy some seat back foams.................

[Doug McAllister]

Thanks Larry
Well now you're getting me a little concerned. I was about to buy the new pads and am now having second thoughts. I think I will wait until I pull the seats apart before I decide. The backs actually feel just fine, so...
I am also an upholstery amateur, but if I do decide to do it, how much do you want for your pads (backs only sounds like). Any idea how much shipping is to California (area code 94566)? KHM wants 180 Euros just for shipping for 4 pads- seems pretty high to me.
Thanks for the heads up.
Doug

[Larry & Norma]

Hi Doug,
My seat covers were changed to leather by a previous owner, this may make them
a little tighter maybe?

The bases definitely needed to be replaced so I decide to do the backs as well, on inspection
and my failure to install the new ones the backs are fine.

Although not that heavy they are in a large box which may explain the shipping cost. If you are still
interested after inspecting yours then I will dig them out (a little cold in the shed at the moment) and
give you details for shipping, value (can't remember what I paid, should have a receipt somewhere)
or just make an offer.

[Doug McAllister]

Hi Larry
Sorry it has taken me a while to get back. I just received my leather seat covers and door covers kit, so I'm getting ready. Still have not pulled the seats out of the car yet as really no place to store them once apart. I really do need to pull the drivers side out (most use) and take a look before I commit.
The quote I just got from KHM was 402 Euros for all 4 pads and 180 for shipping. I did write them back asking about alternate shipping methods but no response yet.
Doug

[Doug McAllister]

Hi Larry
I have the seats out now and apart. Like yours, the bottom pads are in need of replacement, but the backs look like new - no shedding, no anything - so I have decided to just order the bottom pads only.
Now that I have taken them apart, I'm not sure how a plastic bag could help? I just ordered two types of canvas & leather stretching pliers from Amazon which I hope will help me get the new leathers stretched correctly. I'll also try your ratchet strap idea. I bought two diameters of noodles, new rings, ring pliers and stainless steel zip ties.  Once I get the new bottom pads in and make progress, I'll post some pics.
Thanks
Doug

[Larry & Norma]

Ok Doug, Good luck the seat pads are not too bad to do. I used small nylon zip ties instead of
hog rings, seemed to work ok.

[JamesL]

Here you go...
Pics of what goes where...
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=21723.msg155004#msg155004

[cospinner]

Doug,
      Since you are one of the few people on the forum who has purchased products from KHM for delivery to the US, I had a quesiton for you.  I was also considering ordering seat pads from KHM, but the shipping is very steep.  Did you also have to pay 19% VAT or was that waived and how what your whole experience with them?

Thanks,
Chip Hodge

[Kevkeller]

This is not going to help much but I put new pads in my seats about 15 years ago with new leather.  I struggled to get the leather over the backpad and thought it would never fit.
I did eventually find a way to do it that made it very easy. I didn’t use plastic bags or anything else. Unfortunately it’s been so long I can’t remember what I did. I did take some slide photos to show the local Mercedes club. I’ll try to find them and see if I can jog my memory.
I just wanted you to know as tight as you think it will be, there is a method to do it fairly easy.
Kevin