Seat cover patterns-The black vinyl is HOT

[hollycanon]

I have the origional seats in my '73. The origional black vinyl is in really good condition, but man do they get HOT in the sun. Has anyone made "custom" seat covers or bought them. I'm handy with a sewing machine, so I'm thinking of making some that will slip over the orrigional upholstery.

[Captain Spalding]

[man130]

Had same problem with the wifes bug convertable. She said the seats get to hot in summer sun. So before I put new seat covers on I tried the white upholtry paint on just bottom half of rear seat, from pep boys.It looks good from about 5 feet, but not great .My seats were orig. it had that sort of plastic" weave". If your seats are smooth material I think it would come out really good.Might be worth a try

[hollycanon]

Captain Spalding-
Which fit (universal, semi-custon, or custom) did you get for your seat covers.
I agree that sheepkin would be nice, but I'm leaning toward tweed for ease of cleaning. Uor thing is going to spend lots of time in the desert and beach so washable fabric is my preference, the wetsuit material is also an option.

[kubelmann]

I have a set of new, very high quality, front seat covers that are off white. I wonder how they would fight heat? Herr K has racecraft suspension seat that have blue tweed. They never get hot..

[Captain Spalding]

[man130]

Maybe I'm wrong but I think Hollycanon is looking for seat covers like the ones they sell when you restore the seat w/ foam and hook clips thingy's. Not just the slip on local auto store covers. If I'm right Hollycanon TMI makes alot of covers.I dont know if they have wet suit ones but you can check. Capt. , your seats look great,love the color.

[kubelmann]

Exactly. The off white front sets I have are off white TMI Very good quality.

[surfarii]

Mine dont get hot. I got them from the thing shop and had a friend help install them

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[Ferretkona]

I've just always used beach towels over the seats.
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74 181 Thing
2008 Ford Sport Trac V8 4x4
2008 Ford Escape V6

[Pierre G]

Black vinyl is indeed too hot for a convertible car. My seats are beige (as is the top), but they're showing age. I'm thinking of having them reupholstered in black denim, as my future top will be black. Still hot in the sun, but much less than vinyl...
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1976 181/Thing, 1967 fastback, 1973 squareback, 1964 microbus, 1967 Double Cab, 1969 westfalia (currently under resto), 1972 LM1C dune buggy, 1974 jean's bug, 1974 1303 (super beetle, currently under reassembly after new paint).

[hollycanon]

I like the ones from the thing shop except for the price. I need to keep this to about $15o or less for the whole car. Has anyone bought some good slip on covers? I've tried a few and they are very slick over the vinyl. Hence the idea of makeing them myself.

[dborell]

[Ian Epperson]

[man130]

www.drivingcompany.com have some very nice ones real nice made from sheep pelts .They are custom made to your year car and model as you order. But get this $500 pair I hope you get what you pay for, they sure do look comfortable. But $500 they better be real comfy

[carterzest]

Pics of mine.

They appear to have been done in the spirit of Plush comfort and I always keep them covered up and miss the ability to not give a shit when it rains a bit and the top is off. Got some ol' concert t-shirts and a beach towel? If the seats are in OK shape, roll with them and do the other necessaries.
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Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror!

[Ian Epperson]

[Ian Epperson]

[hollycanon]

Ian-I'm liking the neoprene seat covers you found but ouch on the price.

[Emeritusx]