How to Remove Factory Seat Covers?

Factory seat covers refer to the original seat covers installed for your car. Depending on your car's model, they can be made of cloth, vinyl, or leather. Many Americans consider upgrading factory seat covers to give their cars a new look.

However, removing the factory seat covers also poses the risk of damaging the car seat's original look, hindering your vehicle's warranty, and incurring additional costs, which include professional removal and purchasing new factory seat covers.

In this blog, We will walk you through the step-by-step process of safely removing factory seat covers. It also includes the tools you'll need and common challenges you might face. Understanding these steps is crucial for car owners or DIY enthusiasts looking to customize their cars without costly mistakes.

Let’s dive in and make your car’s transformation easy and hassle-free.

Rather than removing your factory seat covers, opting for an alternative approach to protect the car's original aesthetics is advisable. Thus, choosing a semi-universal fit car seat cover customized to your vehicle’s interiors (make, model, and year) can be a smart solution.

Seat Cover Solutions, one of the best online seat cover sellers in the U.S.A., offers semi-universal fit covers made from eco-friendly leather. Designed with advanced technology, these covers ensure quick installation within 60 minutes and hassle-free maintenance.

Step by Step Instructions to Remove Factory Seat Covers

Adopting the right approach for removing the original factory seat covers is important to prevent any significant damage. Here's a step-wise guide on how to remove the factory seat covers:

Step 1- Opting for an Ideal Location for Factory Seat Cover Removal

Since removing the factory seat cover involves removing the original upholstery, you must opt for a spacious area. It can be a garage or a workshop to ensure you have proper access to tools and space.
Ensure the selected area is well-lit through natural lighting or installed lights for better visibility.
Prepare an area to lay out and organize the tools, like using a pegboard or toolboxes, and remove parts sequentially. This helps avoid unnecessary confusion and makes the process of removing the original seat cover smoother.

Step 2 - Gathering Necessary Tools and Materials

Major tools required for factory seat cover removal are

Trim removal tools
Screwdrivers
Pliers
Socket wrenches
Hog ring pliers

Also, get materials like zip-tie bags for organizing loose parts, shop towels for cleaning up, cameras, and flashlights.

It is also essential to keep safety materials around, like safety glasses and gloves. This ensures that you have quick first aid in case of any minor accident while handling seat covers and tools.

Step 3- Safely Preparing and Removing Car Seats

Disconnecting the Battery: The first step while removing the car seat is disconnecting the battery. This helps to avoid the risk of electrical short circuits. You can check the manual to understand the battery is location and disconnect it properly. You should always wear gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from accidental sparks when handling the battery.
Locating and Removing Seat Fasteners: Different car seat mounting parts are fastened in different places. Locate all the mounting points, which are often hidden under plastic covers or seat trims. Use a trim removal tool to uncover these fasteners, then loosen them using the appropriate tools.
Detaching Electrical Connectors: The wires may be connected to the seats. Disconnect all the electrical connectors by pressing and gently removing the switch. However, ensure where they are located so you can install them back. Take photos of the connectors before disconnecting them to ensure proper reattachment later.
Removing the Seat from the Vehicle: After completing the above steps, carefully lift the seat to remove it. However, it can be heavy, so be careful with its weight. If the seat is too heavy, consider getting help to avoid injury.

Step 4 - Removing the Factory Seat Covers

Procedure for Front Seats: The steps to remove covers from front seats are as follows:

Tilt the seat slightly towards the back to get access to the cover.
Using a trim removal tool, remove any trimmed plastics that may appear.
Use pliers and hogs to locate the screws and clips and remove them carefully.
Some seats have zipped sections. Make sure to unzip and uncover it. Do not adopt aggressive methods, as they can rip off the fabric.
After detaching the fasteners, slightly slip off the covers.

Procedure for Rear Seats: The base steps for removing the factory seat covers will be the same as those for the front seats. However, the rear seats may have additional folding mechanisms (60:40 or others), requiring an advanced removal process and professional assistance.
Procedure for Bucket and Bench Seats: For bucket seats, you must remove the trim pieces and detach the fasteners. Keep track of which trim pieces belong where for reassembly However, for bench seats, you only need to be careful when removing the covers while handling the moving parts and hinges.

Common Challenges Faced When Removing Factory Seat Covers & Tips to Overcome Them

Removing factory seat covers is challenging, considering it requires the expertise of professionals. Some of the major hindrances one is likely to face while removing the factory seat covers include:

Dealing with Stubborn Fasteners and Clips: Factory seats have hidden clips, screws, and fasteners to keep them attached. However, removing them requires extra patience as you don't even want to break it. A little heat from a hairdryer can help loosen stubborn clips.
Handling Electronic Components and Airbags: Removing the electrical components involved in the factory seats is difficult. Moreover, not being cautious around these and the airbags can lead to malfunctions. Always disconnect the battery first and consult your car’s manual for specific instructions on handling these components safely.
Preserving the Integrity of the Seat Material: Removing the covers can lead to significant tears in the original upholstery. Use specialized tools and work slowly to minimize damage. Cover any sharp edges with tape to prevent tearing.
Reattaching Everything Correctly: Since these factory covers have numerous screws and clips, all these materials and panels need to be disassembled and then assembled properly. However, sometimes, it can take time to assemble these components completely. You can take photos before disassembly and label parts as you go. Keep screws and clips in labeled bags.
Adjusting to Unusual Seat Designs: Different seats have different folding mechanisms. As a result, these can be extremely difficult to integrate, adding complexity to the removal process. Check your car's manual or online forums for specific guidance on your seat design.
Managing Seats with Integrated Heating or Cooling Systems: Extra wiring is attached to the seatings for heating and cooling purposes. These, however, need to be handled carefully to prevent system damage. For this, disconnect all wiring harnesses carefully and mark them for easy reattachment.
Working in Tight Spaces: If there’s limited space between the seats, it will prevent movement, which can hinder seat removal. Move seats to their maximum positions to create more space and use small, specialized tools to maneuver in tight areas.
Avoiding Damage to Other Interior Components: Not being mindful of factory seat cover removal can lead to aggressive techniques. This may result in trimmed carpeting and car seating pieces. It also tends to damage the plastic components of the vehicle's interior. Therefore, you should use gentle techniques and protective coverings where necessary.

Is it a Good Idea to Remove the Factory Seat Covers?

No, removing factory seat covers is not usually suggested unless the car’s owner wants to change the vehicle’s interior completely. Removing factory seat covers can risk damaging the original upholstery and may void your vehicle’s warranty. Instead, opting for high-quality seat covers to prevent or hide the mess on the original upholstery is advised. Retaining the appearance of the car seat with covers is also proven to improve the resale value of the car.

A Better, Safe, and Affordable Alternative to Removing Factory Seat Covers by Seat Cover Solutions

If you are considering removing your factory seat covers, just give it one more thought! Instead of risking damage to your original upholstery, why not consider an easier and safer option? The high-quality car seat covers from Seat Cover Solutions can upgrade your car's look without risking damage to the original seats.

Priced at an affordable range of $190 to $390, car seat covers from Seat Cover Solutions are-

Crafted with high-quality eco-leather, a sustainable choice that mimics the properties of original leather.
It ensures full 360-degree coverage of all seat types (front, rear, back bench, and bucket).
Designed with a non-slip surface and breathable fabric, which ensures a safe and comfortable driving experience.
Comes with adjustable elements, making the installation process a breeze.
Water, stain, and UV resistance, making it an ideal option when traveling with pets or kids.
Semi-universal fit ensured integration with all the car seat features.

Each cover at Seat Cover Solutions is designed to protect the seats or elevate the vehicle’s aesthetics and provide car owners with a long-term, effective, and affordable option.

Explore our 5+ seat cover color options now to know more!

Conclusion

Upgrading your vehicle's interior doesn't have to involve removing old factory seat covers, which can be challenging and generally unnecessary. Opt for a simpler, equally effective alternative with Seat Cover Solutions' semi-universal seat covers. Not only are these covers designed to enhance your car's aesthetics, but they also protect your investment, potentially increasing your car's resale value.

Seat Cover Solutions takes pride in offering products made from eco-friendly materials, ensuring both sustainability and durability. If you're unfamiliar with the installation process, we have detailed installation video guides to assist you.

Visit our website now and find out the alternatives for factory seat removal!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove the seat covers myself, or should I hire a professional?

No, you cannot remove the seat covers yourself because it is a highly complex job. There are fasteners and screws whose position may be difficult to locate. Thus, letting professionals do it would be a feasible solution.

Will removing my factory seat covers void my vehicle warranty?

Usually, making a car's interior modifications will have a smaller impact on your vehicle's warranty. Nonetheless, if any wires or components are damaged due to alterations, that part may have warranty issues. Refer to the warranty manual for further details.

How do I safely handle electronic components and airbags when removing seat covers?

Make sure that all the electrical components are disconnected from the battery. This will help prevent electrical malfunctions during the removal process. In the case of airbags, identify where they are located (usually placed at the back) and try to remove the connectors. Then, you can remove the airbags. However, make sure to not make any cuts on the airbag components.

What should I do if the seat covers are difficult to remove due to stubborn clips or fasteners?

Start by gradually unfastening every screw and clip. It would be best to use a hairdryer on the fastener as it will help to loosen the glue.

Are there any tips for preserving the integrity of the seat material during removal?

Yes, you should be careful when handling the seat covers. You need to know where each component will be attached. Furthermore, try to remove the untrimmed edges to maintain aesthetics.

How do I ensure all parts are correctly reattached after removing the covers?

Take pictures of where the products are to be fastened or screwed. It is essential to know the placement of these elements to avoid major damage.

What are some common issues I might face when removing seat covers from different types of seats?

Some of the common challenges while removing the seat covers from different seat types include:

Bucket seats: These are slightly complex covers that may require some trimming for removal.
Bench seats: Since the seat cover is attached to a folding mechanism, expert intervention is required to remove it.
Front seats Need to be tilted and held onto its place to prevent damage to car interiors.
Rear seats: Some rear seats feature folding mechanisms requiring professionals' involvement for removal.

Can I replace the factory seat covers with aftermarket covers after removing them?

When trying to install the aftermarket covers, it is important to check if they are compatible with the car seats and perfectly fit. Installing the seat covers can be a good idea, but it is important to consider the installation guidelines and how it can protect the seats against potential damage.

How can removing factory seat covers impact the resale value of my vehicle?

Removing the factory seat covers as an amateur can damage the seat material. This may negatively impact the quality, thereby lowering the car's resale value.

How long does it typically take to remove factory seat covers?

The removal process can take anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the vehicle type and the complexity of the seat design.

Can removing factory seat covers affect the seat's comfort and functionality?

Insufficient removal can impact the seat’s padding and built-in features like heaters and side airbags.