PDA

View Full Version : seat cover installation



hogmuffin
08-02-2012, 09:27 AM
I have a few seats with torn up covers. and i've seen the great looking replacement seat covers on ebay. are there any tips or tricks to properly installing them? I'd like to get some info before i try to do one myself

dougspcs
08-02-2012, 10:18 AM
I personally got a guy for that..unless you can get your hands on an upholstery stapler then you are set. But I just walk in his door with the seat pan/foam and a cover bought online(you're right there are some beauty covers on Ebay)..and pay him $20 bucks. Then it looks like a pro did it and not some rookie job.

Or send your seat to the Mosh's..I hear they do a killer seat!

I'm sure there are lots of other ideas out there, but this works for me.

pipeline triker
08-02-2012, 10:21 AM
Take your time and get them tight. it makes A little differance on the shape of the seat and the pan. All the trikes you have listed in your sig I believe are plastic pans, that makes it alot easier. If your foam is needing repair you need to address that first. If you need to cut the seat foam find your self an electric brad knife, they cut foam great. We like to cover the entire old foam (once repaired if it was Damaged) with a thin sheet of new foam. The biggest thing with a cover is to find the centers, the first few I would make pen marks on the backs so you can make sure they are going on staight. Pull the vinyl as you put the cover on keeping it tight and wrinkle free. The vinyl should be warm also makes it alot easier, hair dryer or heat gun works great, careful not to burn them. It is not real hard just take your time, and keep flipping the seat over and checking it for wrinkles and making sure you are putting it on staight and centered front to back and side to side. Hope this helps.

dougspcs
08-02-2012, 10:24 AM
Take your time and get them tight. it makes A little differance on the shape of the seat and the pan. All the trikes you have listed in your sig I believe are plastic pans, that makes it alot easier. If your foam is needing repair you need to address that first. If you need to cut the seat foam find your self an electric brad knife, they cut foam great. We like to cover the entire old foam (once repaired if it was Damaged) with a thin sheet of new foam. The biggest thing with a cover is to find the centers, the first few I would make pen marks on the backs so you can make sure they are going on staight. Pull the vinyl as you put the cover on keeping it tight and wrinkle free. The vinyl should be warm also makes it alot easier, hair dryer or heat gun works great, careful not to burn them. It is not real hard just take your time, and keep flipping the seat over and checking it for wrinkles and making sure you are putting it on staight and centered front to back and side to side. Hope this helps.

How do you secure the cover?? You have a stapler or use another method?

Tri-Z 250
08-02-2012, 10:45 AM
It's not just a staple and a tug to get it to look factory. Seemless rounded corners require a bit more skill and tools. I've used CosmicQuads for some time now...VERY satisfied with the work. The cost and time on my end equates to a seat that doesn't look factory and wrinkels after a few rides. After sending in my frist seat, I haven't even begun to think I'll do this one myself. Tricks of the trade...sure you can ask from some do it yourselfers...but none of them do it as a profession.

pipeline triker
08-02-2012, 11:47 AM
You need a good stapler air or electric or some older dirt bikes are just contact cemented on, staples are much safer to do. Around me unless you get the cover made by the local shop they will not put it on. We buy our own vinyl and my mom has a great industrial sewing machine, she did it for a living for many years for a large company. She makes most of my covers and my wife installs them. This was my moms profession for many years her wrists just cannot install them like she used to, so my wife does it. We do lots of snowmobile seats also. But if you want a perfect factory looking cover the mosh's are the only way to go, there seats are great.

hogmuffin
08-02-2012, 01:27 PM
Who or what are these Mosh's you speak of?

MRSOUND
08-02-2012, 03:47 PM
Here is her website - http://www.cosmicquads.com/ She is also member on here. Look up her profile I believe there are more albums with the work she has done. When I'm ready to start on my KLT185 refurb that where mine will be going. SO many people on here can't be wrong when describing the quality of her work. If you put mrs.mosh in the search window above there will be lots of threads with testimonies and pics.