Removing seat covers.

[ENEMY_]

I'd like to take them off to clean the nastyness that're on them. Any tips on how to take them off and install them back

[TominMO]

Only tip I'd give is that after you remove the ten hog rings that hold the seat bottom cover on, replace them with zip ties when reinstalling.

[lanemeyer14]

Only tip I'd give is that after you remove the ten hog rings that hold the seat bottom cover on, replace them with zip ties when reinstalling.

x2. I've taken multiple seat covers off to wash them and always install them back with zip ties since I didn't have new hog rings or hog ring pliers

[wybnrml]

^Yep, Zip Ties work good and they don't rust. I used Hog Rings, but I had some already.

You will need some diagonal pliers or some regular pliers. Use the diagonal pliers to cut the hog rings so you can pull them out, or you can just use some regular pliers to twist and pull them out. The back seat is very easy. There is one thing to watch out for with the front seats. The reclining part of the front seats uses a Hex or Allen head screw, make sure you use the correct size Allen wrench or socket because it is easy to round out the inside of the screw with to small of a wrench. But other than that is is pretty much straight forward.

Here is DJ's writeup. Alot of good info that applies to taking them off.http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3854

[89newb]

id like to do this too. tried to search but found no "how to" anybody got pics?

[TominMO]

id like to do this too. tried to search but found no "how to" anybody got pics?

It isn't hard; it's a learn-by-doing thing. Just go for it.

The needed Allen socket or wrench is 8mm BTW. A 5/16" should work too.

[89newb]

awesome....what did everyone do to wah them with the best result? i was just think color safe bleech and oxy cleen, then re washing it with tide?


and does the back bench cover come off too?

[Safety Guy]

Yes, the back bench seat covers also come off in much the same way.

As for washing, some have done it in washers with regular detergent, and others have laid them flat and used pressure washers outside after spraying with cleaner.

The only thing remotely similar that I washed was my old carpet. I used some kind of cleaner (I forget) and sprayed it off with a garden hose and let it dry outside. Worked fine.

Karl

[89newb]

cool ill try it

[wybnrml]

I have washed seat covers two different ways. The first way was washing them with hot water in my bath tub with just some Tide Detergent and using a sponge to clean the back vinyl and a scrub brush to scrub them and hung them out to dry. And the second time I used some Resolve Spray and Wash, scrubed them, rinsed them with the hose and then washed them in my laundry machine and then dried them in the drier. Its all about your own personal preference though.

[bravekozak]

I use Knipex shears. They cut hog rings in tight places like butter.
I prefer GM hog rings. I use Blue Point hog ring pliers.

If you don't want rusty hog rings, buy some copper hog rings instead.

I remove all the wires from inside the covers before washing. Just remember, you have to turn them inside out to get them off.

I also normally do a pre-wash with detergent, since the water will be absolutely filthy black.

Never force any Phillips head screws. You do not want to strip the screw that holds the plastic pivot wheel. Tap the screwdriver with a hammer while turning.

Good luck.