Took most of these pictures a few years back and most of the better ones are lost from the demise of Photopoint. Still have enough to show the results of cleaning and painting.
Removed,
can do a better job of vacuuming, shampooing, and if needed easier to dye. There are 4 each 14 mm bolts (one at each
corner), and a plug on front floor for the headrest speakers. For a first time removal will probably find
those bolts very snug. Suggest using a
breaker bar or box wrench to break the bolts loose.
Did
these seats one at a time just to show the comparison pictures. The one on the right is shampooed and dry. Went back over the headrest area a second
time. The little Bissell did a good job
on this.
A
view from the top. When you peel back
the flap from the zipper, is very clear to see what is faded from the Georgia
top down sun and what is dirty. Seat now on
left is just shampooed, and is very little trace of any sun fade. Will use a little layer of fabric dye anyway,
but primarily to cover over some worn spots where padding is starting to show
through the fabric.
The
one on the left has been sprayed with a little fabric dye after the
shampoo. It will be a bit shiny at first
and the fabric will be a little stiffer after drying. That will go away when completely dry and
with a little wear. None of these rub
off on clothing
Over time have used 3 different dyes on various vehicles. Duplicolor, Marhyde, and Plasti-Kote. Found no difference between the three. One can of spray should be more than enough to do both seats provided you shampoo well. Found little point in dying dirt! Use remainder of can for wear on carpet, mats, and inside of top if needed.
Few
years later, decided it was just time to do something else. Picked up these seat Duo-Tonez covers, made
by CalTrend and distributed by NOPI.
Reversed one seat back to view the padding inside. Appear to be very well constructed and made
from vinyl. Is completely padded inside
except for the piece behind the seats.
Vinyl is sort of like knotty-pine. Both are warm, enduring, and cheap. At any rate they match the car color.
Are
two pieces to the seat cover. The seat
back is a nice fit. It slides down over
the seat back, and secured with a covered zipper at the bottom.
The seat portion is held in place by two adjustable straps from underneath.
Both seats have large map pockets in back. The drawback for some is muffling the headrest speakers. There is padding inside, so not be as easy as a simple seat perforation. The headrest speakers are not an issue for me.
No real reason to remove the seats for install. Just may be a little easier to remove seats to fasten and adjust the buckles underneath.
Everything
all installed and am happy with the result.
How long they will look like this or hold up is unknown. Have to ask again in 14 years when I can
compare them to the stock seat fabrics.