Here are the 11 best DIY methods for installing new seat covers in your truck. Changing covers of seats gives a very fresh look to the vehicle.
How to Install Seat Covers in a Truck? You can install seat covers in a truck by measuring the size, buy seat covers, remove the headrests, clean the area, add seat covers, adjust and secure the corners.
Adding these can make your pickup look good and it also protects the seats and makes them comfortable. We have also added the overall cost of adding the seat covers at home and also from a workshop or a professional.
Many fellows get confused at this step, just follow this guide and you will be amazed by these easy and proven methods.
How to Install Seat Covers in a Truck?
In this article, we have explained fantastic techniques to install seat covers in a pickup truck. Before going into the details, let me explain the tools required for this procedure.
Tools required
- Vacuum pump
- Shampoo
- Brush
- Set of wrenches
- Screwdrivers
- Protective gloves
- Supplied fasteners
- Belts
- Clean cloth
- Hanger
- Non-permanent marker
- Elastic straps
Read Instructions manual
Reading the manual provides you a better comprehension of seats and their covers. Learn the instructions given by the manufacturer.
Understand the kind of covers that are suitable for your vehicle. You can also learn about the size and measurement of covers, which prevents you from ultimate losses.
All the techniques mentioned in this article will cover all the major brands, however, there can be small changes in a few vehicles.
Purchase seat covers
These come in various styles; some of them are custom fit, and some are regular. Buy universal seat covers from any auto store, they can save you a lot of cash and they are easily available everywhere. You can add decals on a truck tailgate, and match the colors.
Measure the size or take help from the manual, select the color according to your vehicle. This is essential, you must measure the length and width carefully with a measuring tape to prevent losses at the end.
They help in covering the area of airbags. Its fabric is right in quality and lighter on your budget. Custom-fit products are expensive, and that is why people prefer affordable and cheap products. Nowadays, the majority buy patterned sheets for their vehicles. You can choose the matching exhaust for your pickup.
Remove the headrests
First of all, remove the headrests from the automobile, many vehicles have headrests, but there are some odds as well.
This involves cutting of hoes for these headrests. The measurement of holes can be taken from the manuals of the pickup.
Moreover, remove the covers of headrests as well. Put the equipment on one side and discard its cover. If you want to reuse the cover, then save it for washing and further use, but it can be an expensive method.
Clean the seats
The new universal or custom fit covers are going to slide on your automobile. If these are moist or contaminated with dirt and dust, it can decay the fabric of new sheets. You should clean them properly and must dry it before starting the procedure.
First of all, remove all the unnecessary items like shoes, food bags, and other stuff from the top and bottom. Do not go hard on the surface; otherwise, they can be damaged.
Take a vacuum cleaner and remove all dust and dirt, clean them by using a mixture of shampoo and water. Dampen a soft and fiber-free cloth in this solution. It will enhance the look of your Ford.
Put new seat covers
It requires expertise and complete information about the type and interior of your vehicle. Learn about the loops and holes to complete this correctly.
These help you in sliding into the backward side, take a regular coat hanger for supporting the cover. You cannot place your hands and fingers in every corner.
Hold the cover on this hanger in a way that can easily slide all over, move the fabric slowly, starting from the uppermost side.
You can move to the backside of the pickup and cover it with the material in a way that you do not stick your hands inside it. The auto shops usually iron these; that is why try to save their appearance.
Pull the fabric with the help of a wired hanger from upside to the downward direction. Ultimately the cover reaches the underneath area and fits perfectly.
Drag it with your hands and fingers and adjust it appropriately. In this way, you can adequately fit the covers over all the loops and holes. You can add a car seat in the front truck seat.
Adjust with contours
Setting them in the middle area is not a big challenge, but adjusting them to the sides is a big deal. Move with the side and significant contours while doing this procedure.
The fabrics should be in the direction and shape of these contours. Universal covers have the utmost capacity to cover all of these without any tearing.
Secure the cloth by pulling one side at one time. It helps in the better adjustment of the covers. Tighten both sides by using fasteners that have a strong grip on holding the fabric.
Remove all the air bubbles from the fabric; otherwise, the cover can be damaged by slight pressure. These bubbles should be removed carefully and there must be no air or anything trapped in it. You can use a wooden scale and move it across the fabric to make it straight.
Put extra attention to the lower contours; most people neglect these areas, destroying the whole impression and look. It will make the truck seats comfortable.
Slightly pull the fabric to these areas without creating any space. Cover all sides in all dimensions and secure it permanently, this is a must part to prevent any damage.
Tucking with the crease
On both sides, the area is known as the crease of seats. Tuck the cover on it carefully, pull fabric by using fingers or small clips to this area.
Adjust it and rub your hand to remove air bubbles. Repeat this pulling and rubbing step at least three times. It settles smoothly without any artificial loop.
Tighten the hooks
Pull the cover tight; do not leave it loose at any point during the entire time. In this step, connect the loops, these are basically of plastic material. Mostly they are two in numbers. Join them with the hooks which provide security and protection to the equipment.
Attach the hooks and attach the cover in a snug manner. The straps are elastic and are very tough to carry the strength of pulling force.
If you find out that it is not setting up tightly, use these straps. Stretch the elastic straps and move the sheet all over it.
Secure the corner by using these flexible tools, grab both the straps towards yourself, and tie them together. In this way, you get maximum support, and the seat cover remains adjacent. You can also mount a dash cam near this place.
Cut excessive loops
In these steps, the cutting and marking of loopholes are carried out. Locate the loops and holes for the headrests.
Mark these holes by using a non-permanent marker for a further idea about measurement. Now cut here near the hole, it should be half of an inch in size.
Adjust and align this cut with the corners inside the pickup. The parallel adjustment helps prevent the widening of the hole, and headrest remains safe and sound.
The hole can get widen up by passengers’ movements. Fabric stretches by up and down movements of people, which can widen the gap, but the parallel adjustment reduces this danger. You can remove the dents from the roof of the truck for a better look.
Change headrests
Transfer the new headrest from the hole at its proper place, attach it in the hole firmly without any support. You can also use the old headrest and place it in the already existed hole.
It should be tightened in the hole so that it does not fall on jerks and other movements of gates and passengers.
Cost
The cost of the whole process depends on the type and quality of the products. If you are using standard products, they are economical while others are costly.
The universal seat covers are approximately $50 to $100 for a vehicle. Custom-fit seat covers cost you $150 to $200 per seat approximately.
These are big vehicles with multiple sitting capacity inside them. The average cost for installing front covers in a pickup is approximately $150 to $250 depending on the quality and type of pickup.
The rate can fluctuate according to pattern type and designs. You can change sheets at home, but the pickup is a big vehicle, you should hire a mechanic for this purpose.
A professional expert charges between $400 to $900 depending on your vehicle’s location and type, but there is no chance of mistake in such cases.
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