Re-cover A Saddle Quick & Cheap.

[Drzdave58]

This saddle I recently recovered wasn’t quick but it was cheap.
I had some scrap leather laying around from a leather jacket I had cut up. I cut pieces into triangles and sewed them together by hand which took many hours. I then cut out this plastic shipping sponge into diamond shapes and glued them onto the back of the leather.
removed the old leather off the seat but left the foam covered in felt as it was still in excellent condition. I also polished the springs to make them pop. Turned out ok and is comfortable on my Ruff cruiser.

 

[STRADALITE]

Sanding the foam to get the right shape is a good start but the biggest problem everyone is having is caused by the leather. Not all leather is the same and by using a piece from a couch or old jacket or something else will typically not get great results.
The seat pan has a few tough contours that the odd piece of leather won’t stretch around. Hence all of the wrinkles everyone ends up with.
The right leather will get the best results.

 

[WetDogGraphix]

Sanding the foam to get the right shape is a good start but the biggest problem everyone is having is caused by the leather. Not all leather is the same and by using a piece from a couch or old jacket or something else will typically not get great results.
The seat pan has a few tough contours that the odd piece of leather won’t stretch around. Hence all of the wrinkles everyone ends up with.
The right leather will get the best results. View attachment 1684526

View attachment 1684527

 

[Miq]

@STRADALITE is there a name for the type of leather that is thin, durable, and somewhat stretchy to look for? The “light weight upholstery leather” I used was close, but it doesn’t look like the leather you use…

https://www.amazon.com/Upholstery-Leather-Cowhide-Weight-inches/dp/B003AP4CME

 

[WetDogGraphix]

@STRADALITE is there a name for the type of leather that is thin, durable, and somewhat stretchy to look for? The “light weight upholstery leather” I used was close, but it doesn’t look like the leather you use…

https://www.amazon.com/Upholstery-Leather-Cowhide-Weight-inches/dp/B003AP4CME

2-3oz English Bridle Leather....

ENGLISH BRIDLE – Wickett-Craig

wickett-craig.com

 

[STRADALITE]

2-3oz English Bridle Leather....

ENGLISH BRIDLE – Wickett-Craig

wickett-craig.com

I would agree.

 

[Miq]

Third saddle recover. Got this sweet 50s Troxel from @larock65.

Took it apart and cleaned the parts. Threw the metal ones in Evaporust for a while. Then treated everything with Rust Preventative Magic.

Reusing the OG covering and just recovering that.

Cut and spray glued the A1 Upholstery leather to to the top of the old covering and seat pan, forming it tightly to the pan.

Then I notched it out and spray glued the notches to the underside covering, always pulling them to the center of the pan.

I cut 3 notches just a hair too deep and the old covering shows through, but just on the underside. It’s not perfect but it’s the best I’ve done so far. The pinch pan makes it look really good.

 

[larock65]

Looks great!

 

[Drzdave58]

Third saddle recover. Got this sweet 50s Troxel from @larock65.
View attachment 1785443

View attachment 1785444
Took it apart and cleaned the parts. Threw the metal ones in Evaporust for a while. Then treated everything with Rust Preventative Magic.

View attachment 1785447

View attachment 1785449

Reusing the OG covering and just recovering that.
View attachment 1785450
Cut and spray glued the A1 Upholstery leather to to the top of the old covering and seat pan, forming it tightly to the pan.
View attachment 1785452

View attachment 1785453
Then I notched it out and spray glued the notches to the underside covering, always pulling them to the center of the pan.
View attachment 1785455

View attachment 1785456

View attachment 1785459I cut 3 notches just a hair too deep and the old covering shows through, but just on the underside. It’s not perfect but it’s the best I’ve done so far. The pinch pan makes it look really good.
View attachment 1785461

View attachment 1785462

View attachment 1785463

View attachment 1785465

View attachment 1785466

Very well done! Looks great!

 

[ian]

Third saddle recover. Got this sweet 50s Troxel from @larock65.
View attachment 1785443

View attachment 1785444
Took it apart and cleaned the parts. Threw the metal ones in Evaporust for a while. Then treated everything with Rust Preventative Magic.

View attachment 1785447

View attachment 1785449

Reusing the OG covering and just recovering that.
View attachment 1785450
Cut and spray glued the A1 Upholstery leather to to the top of the old covering and seat pan, forming it tightly to the pan.
View attachment 1785452

View attachment 1785453
Then I notched it out and spray glued the notches to the underside covering, always pulling them to the center of the pan.
View attachment 1785455

View attachment 1785456

View attachment 1785459I cut 3 notches just a hair too deep and the old covering shows through, but just on the underside. It’s not perfect but it’s the best I’ve done so far. The pinch pan makes it look really good.
View attachment 1785461

View attachment 1785462

View attachment 1785463

View attachment 1785465

View attachment 1785466

Looks great! It's kinda fun to do also. I've recovered 3 so far.