FTO Seat Covers

[foxy]

Ive had a good look round but cant seem to find my answer. Does anyone know what material the standard car seat covers are made of?

[colm_mcm]

Some sort of polyester, it's machine washable anyway.

[foxy]

I ask because I was wondering if it was possible to use a machine dye to dye the seat covers black. There is a spray on fabric dye that comes in an aerosol but after some research the results didnt look so great it looked all patchy if it was possible to machine dye the covers it would look so much better

[CJ]

Synthetic fibres such as polyester don't take standard dye too well, you'll need a disperse dye. The fabric needs to be boiled for anywhere up to an hour i.e. a suitably sized receptacle required.

[goz_83]

Indeed. But they are a pain to remove and put back in.

[CJ]

Indeed. But they are a pain to remove and put back in.

Having done this a few times, I concur. Theres a days work in removing / dying / refitting (not including drying time).

[colm_mcm]

I found them handy enough to replace. They're so nice when they're machine washed

[StewyD32]

Is there any pics of the fabric dyed anywhere.?
I'd be interested in going this if it looks good.

[foxy]

Is there any pics of the fabric dyed anywhere.?
I'd be interested in going this if it looks good.

It can't look any worse than the standard patterned seats. I think they are awful why they didnt have them plain in the first place I dont know. Rather than paying stupid amounts for replacement seat covers some disperse dye and a days work this seems like a do-able alternative

Where is the best place to get this disperse dye from?

[StewyD32]

Will the pattern not show up?

[colm_mcm]

Will the pattern not show up?

It shouldnt show.

Would putting the seat covers into a pot of boiling water damage them though, I've only had mine up to 60 degrees.

[StewyD32]

I might give it a go so.
Was looking up dyeshop.ie and can get the stuff for €8 but don't know how much you need to do the front and rear seats. Anyone know.

[colm_mcm]

I'd just use loads of it. I can't imagine you can have too much black dye....

Lets say you needed one pack for one dress, the FTO seats would be maybe 4 dresses?


I'm sure people have old seats lying around for you to practice on?

[StewyD32]

Do ya know how roughly much you used.
Will be a good time to add a little extra padding as well to the seats if I can get a hold of some.

[foxy]

Right its taken me a very long time but I have finally found an inexpensive solution to the horrible standard seat covers check this ebay auction out

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Car ... 0834685293

Item Name - Universal Car Seat Cover gray & black bucket front seat

Member ID covercenter

They com from America and I had to wait about 3 weeks for them to be delivered but its well worth it they only took me half an hour to fit and they look so much better check out the pics





They do all different colors to suit your car so just thought id share it with you guys

Fox

[CJ]

Not bad at all considering the price. Do they move around much over the original covers?

[foxy]

No they don't move around much at all they kinda stick in place it's a strange material and they have pull straps that go underneath to stop the movement