Installing car seat covers may seem like a challenging task to do, but in reality it is not that hard. Installing seat covers is an affordable and easy way to add style and protection to your seats. Installing them correctly will ensure they stay on and prevent spills from being quite as obvious. Whether you are installing custom-made car seat covers or universal ones, the process remains the same. No matter what type of car you own — manual or automatic — you can install the new seat covers with a bit of guidance and determination. Keep reading below for a step by step guide on how to install car seat covers!
What tools do you need to install seat covers?
Before you start installing car seat covers, you need to make sure you have all the right tools on hand. A few basic tools you’ll need include scissors, a screwdriver and a hammer. When installing car seat covers, you will need to remove the existing seat covers if there are any. To get the existing covers off, you will need a screwdriver. Try to pry them from the edges first and then pull hard to get them out. You will probably also need scissors to cut off any excess material. Once the covers are off, you can begin installing the new ones. Before considering buying any seat covers, measure your seats from side to side excluding the gap between the seats and the doors. Then check the seat cover you want to buy and make sure they are compatible. Also check your headrest measurements and their shape as well. Make sure the seat covers you choose are long enough to cover your seats.
How to Install Car Seat Covers Step by Step Guide
- Start with the Back Seat - The back seat is usually the easiest place to start. It can be a bit more challenging to install the front seat covers, so it’s best to get that out of the way first. First, remove both seat covers. To do so you will need to remove the headrest, the seatbelts and the screws holding them in place if there are any. Next you want to make sure the seat covers are long enough to cover the entire seat. Finally, place the new seat cover over the seat and tuck it in place with the help of a screwdriver. If need be, you can also remove the entire backseat and install the seat covers first and then re-attach it to your car. If you are installing universal car seat covers, you will probably want to use a hammer to tap the seat cover in place. Always follow the manual that comes in the box.
- Move on to the Front Seat - The front seat will likely be a bit less challenging to cover. Fold the seat cover in half. Most seat covers come with a flap at the bottom to get them on like a t-shirt. Next, place the seat cover over the seat and secure it with a screwdriver by tucking it in. Remove the headrest if needed to get the seat cover in place. Once both seats have been covered, try to sit in the car and make sure nothing is visible or uncomfortable. Always follow the manual that comes in the box.
- Make sure the seat covers fit correctly
If your seat covers are too big or too small, they will not look good. They will also likely fall off at one point or another. Make sure they are the right size before you secure them in place. You can do this by placing the cover over the seat and checking if the edges are flush against the seat. If they are not, you can use scissors to cut off some of the material.
- Consider the material
The material of a car seat cover will play a large part in how it looks. If you are covering a fabric seat, you will want to find a seat cover made from fabric. The same applies if you are covering a leather seat. Make sure the material is similar to the one your seats are made from.
- Clean your seats
Cleaning your seats before installing seat covers is a good idea. This will make them easier to cover. If you have pets, you can also use a pet hair roller to remove the hair from your seats.
- Secure the seat covers
You do not want your new seat covers flying around. This can be a safety hazard and it can also ruin the covers. Make sure you secure the seat covers before you drive off. You can use staples or a glue gun to keep them in place.
How to Make Your Car Seats Last Longer
You may be tempted to get new car seats when they start to look shabby. However, you may be surprised to learn that you can clean and maintain your old seats.
- Regular cleaning
If your car seats are made from fabric, you will want to clean them regularly. You can do this by spraying the seats with a cleaning solution or a commercial fabric cleaner. Make sure you follow the directions on the bottle. You may also want to use a vacuum to get rid of any loose dirt and hair.
- Regular maintenance
You will also want to regularly maintain your car’s seats. This means cleaning them, but also keeping them dry. If you get caught in the rain, try to dry the seats as soon as possible. This will prevent them from rotting and staining.
Conclusion
Car seat covers are a great way to protect and add style to your vehicle’s seats. They are affordable and fairly easy to install. Make sure you choose the right seat covers for your car’s make and model and follow the installation steps outlined above to successfully install them. Keep in mind that seat covers will likely need to be replaced after a couple of years. If you take good care of them, though, they should last a bit longer.
