I just destroyed brand new replacement seat cover

I had heard these replacement seat covers (Travelcade in this case) were tough to put on.

Well I just ruined my new cover trying to get it on the stock foam and pan.

So I'm asking for help, since I have to buy another new seat cover (or maybe just an
entire f-ing seat, dammit).

How do people get these new covers on without ripping? Heat them in an oven and get them
hot so they will stretch? Sheesh, $100 down the f-ing drain. It is an LTD-style seat.

i almost ripped one too bad to use but i stopped...i heard set em out in the sun on a hot day and then get one end all pinned and mounted and work your way back with a helper and a blow dryer...going slow and stopping if it is getting too soft...waiting like i did and then tackling it again with some thought and a blow dryer.....

bummer about the seat...contact them and see what they say.....maybe they will work with you on knocking some off and some helpful hints....i bet they want you happy and will help with the price maybe towards a new one...let us know what they say...

I've done 2 of those recently, last 1 1/2. Go to the auto parts store and get some black plastic door edge molding, very close to the same size as the Kaw OEM. This will go on the pan edge to take away the sharp surface. Cost about $6-7. I also buy a bit of foam from the fabric sore and some spray glue to build it up a little more. They seem to go on OK although a bit tight, just watch those triangle shaped teeth as they break easily. Sometimes a bit of careful gas welding to repair those before trying to mount anything back on the pan.
Be patient and a spare set of hands would be a good help, put you knee into the pan when upside down and stretch till even then attach with the teeth. Good luck, and I've gotten them for $60.

newOld_kz1000 wrote: I had heard these replacement seat covers (Travelcade in this case) were tough to put on.

Well I just ruined my new cover trying to get it on the stock foam and pan.

So I'm asking for help, since I have to buy another new seat cover (or maybe just an
entire f-ing seat, dammit).

How do people get these new covers on without ripping?

The first time I went to JC Whitney and they sold new covers complete with attached foam. Very easy to install.

This time I hauled the seat over to a local upholstery shop in the part of town you would not want to leave your car and the old guy did a fantastic job of recovering it and installing some new foam.

.

I vote for the old upholstery guy too. Many seats and the result is 100% every time. Cost is often less than a replacement cover and no headaches. Usually a free coffee and some good stories too. Your experience may differ slightly but worth a try after reading this. You get to pick your material too!

I used to do uphostery for about 20 years, the guys that worked for me ripped a few occasionally.

Take your time use a heat gun to soften the the cover pay attention to the boxing (the sides) if you dont have a heat gun lay it in the sun to soften it and use a hair dryer. (not as effective)

and make double sure you use the door edge gaurd as suggested earlieer. at the very least duct tape the hell out of the redges.

with really bad fitting covers I have had to use contact adhesive on the seat part and warm and stretch the boxing fold it over and even pop rivet it to the pan.

Quick procedure
lay cover on seat fold boxing up (indise out) work from eith the front or back dependeing on cover manufacturer. keeipng seat pad in postion heat the boxing pull front or back over pad. secure the cover in two spots. Push vynly through triangles on corners now heating and stretching the other end pull vinly over and secure it in 2 spots

If every thing was done correctly the sides will be a little taught you should be able to just work your way around securing the vinyl through the tabs.