The information in this article comes courtesy of LeBaron Bonney Co., makers of interior kits, and covers the process for installing the company’s kits. This method featured here is the manner LeBaron Bonney Co. has found to be best; there are other ways to pad springs, and these instructions can be modified to fit other makes and models. The seat spring pictured here goes into a 1930-’31 Ford Model A coupe.
When purchasing a padding kit from LeBaron Bonney Co., a customer will receive:
– Burlap
– 7⁄8-inch jute seat padding
– Cotton padding
– Hog Ring pliers
– Hog rings
An installation also requires:
– Shears for cutting the burlap and jute seat padding
– Staple gun and staples or tack hammer and tacks
– To easily pad a seat or backrest spring, follow these step-by-step instructions:
Material preparation
First, separate the cotton padding, the jute underpad and the burlap, which often come rolled together. Put the cotton padding and jute underpad aside, as you will be using the burlap first.
Step 1: Burlap
On your workbench, lay burlap over your spring. You may find the burlap is bigger than the spring, as LeBaron Bonney Co. produces each padding kit to fit many different models of vehicles. Using a pair of shears, trim the burlap to get closer to the size of the spring, leaving approximately 2 inches of extra burlap hanging down beyond all edges of the spring (photo A).
Photo A
Photo B
Photo C
Next, use hog ring pliers and hog rings to attach the burlap to the springs.
Starting on a center edge of the spring assembly, fold the burlap up and back on itself, and attach to the spring by crimping a hog ring around the fold and spring edge with the hog ring pliers. Using burlap on the spring is a key step, as it prevents the soft jute padding from sinking into the springs with use over time (B).
Continue attaching the burlap to the springs with hog rings, attaching at the center of each edge first, then each corner, then every 4 or 5 inches around the entire edge. The burlap should be taut on the springs without bumps or large wrinkles, but not so tight it compresses the springs.
Step 2: Jute padding
Attach the jute pad to the burlap-covered spring. Carefully remove the cotton from the jute pad and set the cotton aside.
There are two sides to the jute padding sold by LeBaron Bonney Co. The soft side should be facing out on the finished spring. With the soft side facing up on the burlap-covered spring, flip the spring and pad over on your workbench, so the pad is under the spring.
Most seat cushions have to slide under a backrest, so it is best to keep a square edge on the back or bottom of the spring as the jute padding is added. Position the burlap-wrapped spring so its back edge is flush with the edge of the jute pad material. Hold the pad in place by clamping with hog rings (C) along this side only.
Photo D
Trim excess padding off the remaining sides, leaving approximately 3 inches from the side of the spring for tucking into the coils. As you cut around a corner, follow the radius of the springs. The 3 inches of excess jute padding will be tucked between the spring coils closest to the burlap to hold the pad in place without the use of hog rings.
Push the jute pad between the coils (D), moving around the spring. When you get to the corner, remove a couple of triangular-shaped pieces from the jute padding to prevent bunching as the padding is pushed between the springs. When complete, you should have a nice, round, smooth corner. Your jute padded spring should be smooth, with no large wrinkles or bumps. For square corners, such as on backrests, use the same method (E).
Photo E
Photo F
Photo G
Step 3: Cotton
Lastly, the cotton padding goes onto the springs. With the springs facing up on your bench, drape cotton over the jute-padded spring, letting it hang evenly over the edges. Tear away excess cotton by hand, just below the edge of the spring. Continue tearing around the entire spring (F). The cotton padding is held in place by the cover. There is no need for attachments.
This completes the padding process (G). Everything on the spring at this point will be hidden by the final covering. Now you are ready to put the upholstery on the cushion.
View the video of padding a spring, as well as additional instructional videos, at www.lebaronbonney.com/instructions.
Doug Belinsky has worked in the antique auto upholstery industry for more than 37 years. He is the Senior Technical Advisor at LeBaron Bonney Co. in Amesbury, Mass.
LeBaron Bonney and its subsidiaries, Hampton Coach and ABC Auto Upholstery, have been providing antique auto enthusiasts with upholstery and top kits for nearly 50 years. The company produces interior upholstery kits and tops for more than 800 models and variations of models of Ford, Mercury, Chevrolet and Buick automobiles and trucks from 1916-’62. Visit www.lebaronbonney.com to learn more.
Photo H
Padding tip
Here’s a tip to save you time attaching the padded cushion or backrest to the wood frame:
Many seat cushion springs have metal tabs on the edge for securing to the wood frame. It can be very difficult to get to these tabs while holding the padded seat cushion, a hammer and a nail. LeBaron Bonney uses strips of excess topping material to attach the spring to the wood in the following manner (any sturdy material may be substituted for this usage):
Center the spring on the wood frame. Next, starting alongside one of the metal tabs, slide your attachment material under and around the base of the spring. Complete the wrap around the spring edge and staple it to the wood frame (H). Repeat this process around the spring, using three to four attachments on the front and rear edges, and one attachment on each side. Trim excess material so it does not interfere with your final seat covering.