removing front seat covers (Some pictures added)

[dingovirgin]

Hi,
I have removed the cover from the seat back without much trouble but just not sure where to start with the base. Does the metal seat base come off the underside somehow?
Thanks
Tony

[CovKid]

Dingovirgin? Theres a name that even the witch Yoni would know.

Seat base is one piece. Usually seat covers on VWs are held on with metal rings underneath.You have removed seat I take it? You';ll need to,

[dingovirgin]

Yes mate, the seat is out. The base on bays has rings I think but there are none to be seen on these. On the back part there are 4 sharp barbs that hold the cover down at the bottom but on the base it seems to be tucked in all round the edge.

[dingovirgin]

I have figured it out now

[CovKid]

Hope you take photos! Don't figure it out and keep it to yourself.

[dingovirgin]

I have many photos

[BOXY]

I'd be intersted to see how it's done. My seats could do with a boil wash!

[CovKid]

Drastic though it might be, Marcus and I find that the best way to clean car seats is with a truck wash. You'd be amazed at just how long the water that comes out is dark brown before it finally runs clear. The sponge accumulates a LOT of dirt! Finish with a dehuimidifier on max and the job is a good un.

At some point I'll put together a WIKI on making the actual seat covers (I'm about to do that myself with heavy denim). Plan to give it a kind of Wrangler look complete with yellow stitching and small red labels that just say 'volkswagen' on them. The more worn they get, the more they'll look right! Easily thrown in the wash if need be too.

[Cruz]

Drastic though it might be, Marcus and I find that the best way to clean car seats is with a truck wash.

You mean just the standard do it yourself garage jetspray car wash with the seat covers still on?

[kevtherev]

no he means a truck wash...
powerful stuff

[CovKid]

Yep, different beast. Ones at garages are feeble things. Truck type are as much steam as water and coupled with truck wash fluid, it leaves them totally clean. I wouldn't have believed it until I saw it done. I'm totally convinced now. You won't get cleaner than that

Once done, all thats needed the next time is a VAX or similar.

[dingovirgin]

Here's how it all comes apart:

After seperating the 2 halves of the seat, take a look at the base of the seat back.
The hem at the bottom (front and back) has a piece of wire threaded through it and is stretched over 4 barbs of metal that pierce the material


Prise these up slightly and pull the cover free of the barbs.
You can then remove the wire


The seat back also has wire running along each side of the centre panel which is wrapped around the back of the frame. Remove these and the cover can be pulled up as far as the head rests


With the cover pulled up, remove the headrest, then the headrest guides by squeezing the end of the plastic tube together and pushing upwards. The cover can now be pulled free.

For the seat base, turn it upside-down and have a look at how the cover is tucked in all the way round the edge.


The cover has a strip of fibre-board sewn to the edge which is pressed into a groove that runs all round the seat base


Prise this out with a screw driver all the way round.


Lastly, the centre panel of the seat base has wire running down each side (on the underside of course). This is attaced with 3 steel rings to another piece of wire that is set into the foam base


Either pull out the wire from the cover or undo the steel rings and the cover is free.

Here's the wire set into the base