TeamSwift

I currently only have the one turbo3 seat inside my Swift until I get the rust fixed. For the time being, has anyone messed with upholstery dying or the upholstery spray paint? I looked at how they material connected to the seats, bench, and side panels and I don't really want to pull it off the foam/panels fearing i'll never get it back on the same way. So pretty much wondering:

- bet method for cleaning upholstery
- best method for dying upholstery without pulling it off of the seats/bench/side panels
- any pics of upholstery that people have done this to

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Nick Manning

2006 Scion xB (fun-mobile)
1990/92 Suzuki Swift GTi TURBO (The GTiT)

I am about to embark on this endeavor . I have just gotten another 87 T3, and it came with a second set of interior. I plan on painting the interior , including dash, a darker color, maybe charcoal.

I'll take photos, and post. Feel free to PM me or reply here with questions.

Max.

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Current cars :
93 Metro w / 1.0
02 Jetta TDi
98 Blazer 4.3L
69 Camaro w/ I6 250
66 Chevy II 283 V8
52 Hudson Hornet

Miss my 87 Turbo Sprint ...BUT :I JUST GOT ANOTHER ONE!!!!!
Inliners forever!!

A stiff yet mildly soft bristle brush, a bucket, liquid Tide and a shop vac.
Make a detergent solution in the bucket, you want lots of suds.
Use the brush to apply suds only to the fabric and clean away.
Do not soak the seats, using the suds only will help.
Vacuum mostly dry with shop vac and let air dry. Voila!

Other methods require patience and skill.
Recovering requires a heavy duty sewing machine.
Lots of nice Vinyl fabric or other at Michaels for about 13.99 a yard.
Use the old cover as template and be creative.
Pull the new one on over a large garbage bag, it helps it slide
on nicely, then pull out the plastic bag.
You may have to replace some foam if it's worn out
when you have the old cover off.
Secure with hog rings in original location.

You could always just have an upholsterer recover them,
but for that price just buy a new set of seats.
Starting around $300 a pair plus mounting labor and hardware.
Again, you have to be creative.

Hello Nick,

You can follow these steps:-
1. Spray the mixture onto the upholstery, holding the bottle approximately 6-8 inches away.
2. Rub the upholstery gently with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse the area with warm water by using a clean rag.
3. Work on one seat or area at a time.
4. Use a microfiber cloth to dry the area.

I've done thus to 1 turbo mk2 seats and 3 gti seats:

1) remove seats
2) disassemble seat back from seat bottom
3) remove hog rings and steel rods that are holding fabric to metal seat frames and to foam bolsters
4) slide off fabric covers
5) take to commercial coin op laundromat
6) wash once or twice using liquid detergent. Done when rinse water looks clear.. Dont worry. Fabric can take it..
7) put in dryer.
reinstall... mmm fresh smelling seat covers.

Hi
This method is often call "Warm Water Extraction", "Hot Water Extraction" or "Steam Cleaning" and is the cleaning method nearly all carpet manufacturers and carpet fiber producers recommend.

This is the only cleaning method classified as "deep cleaning". All the others are considered "light surface cleaning" because they are incapable of removing soil deep in the pile. Also, all other methods leave large amounts of cleaning agent in the carpet after cleaning.

The maintenance brochure published by the world's largest carpet manufacturer, Shaw Industries, recommends this method, because its own research indicates that it provides the best capability for cleaning.

This method is frequently called "steam" cleaning due to the fine spray of water used to force dirt out of the carpet which is sucked up by the vacuum slot immediately in front of the spray. Seldom is real live steam used, however. This process consists of spraying a solution of water and detergent into the carpet pile and recovering the water and soil with a powerful vacuum into a holding tank. This can be done from a truck-mounted unit outside the home with only the hose and floor tool brought inside, or by a portable, system brought into the home or office.

I wish I had the time to do it myself. I had my interior detailed.