Cockpit seating cover options

[bluetooth]

My seating covers are about 5 years old and are more than functional and are the classic appearance with the thin pipping slits.
Fairline T40



Problem is, as you all know, they need cleaning frequently to get grime and mould out.
Im going to cost up new ones and will sit down when it arrives but wondered if the piping section could be removed and replaced with smooth white material put in its place and thus keep the rest of the material as it is ?



Appreciate there might be slight colour match issue but in principle could this be done ?
Obviously decision needs to be balanced between doing this vs costs to fully replace and upgarde or continue cleaning.

As I said they are otherwise fine.
Many thanks, Simon

 

[petem]

Do you mean 'piping section'? The piping is the blue (piping) bit.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

It would be cheaper to get Tockfield to make new seat covers for you with new fabric than it would be to take the old covers apart and try and reuse the non-piped part of the fabric with a new piece of fabric to replace the piped fabric. That all said, when I had new seat covers made for my T40 they still had piping, albeit same colour as the main fabric.

 

[bluetooth]

Do you mean 'piping section'? The piping is the blue (piping) bit.

P. Couldn't think of best words but hoped the 3rd picture would clarify what I wanted.
Just the slitted white areas
S

 

[bluetooth]

It would be cheaper to get Tockfield to make new seat covers for you with new fabric than it would be to take the old covers apart and try and reuse the non-piped part of the fabric with a new piece of fabric to replace the piped fabric. That all said, when I had new seat covers made for my T40 they still had piping, albeit same colour as the main fabric.

Wouldn't surprise me but then im not sure how they make them and stitch them.
Gonna struggle to justify costs tbh (once i see a quote) but wanted to explore options
Cleaning is a bout a hours job but with 3 crew that's only 15 mins and a hand full of baby wipes !
Im not against manual work !!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Wouldn't surprise me but then im not sure how they make them and stitch them.
Gonna struggle to justify costs tbh (once i see a quote) but wanted to explore options
Cleaning is a bout a hours job but with 3 crew that's only 15 mins and a hand full of baby wipes !
Im not against manual work !!

Aha I see from your reply to Pete that you didn't mean replacing the piping, you mean replacing the fluted panels. Ok, being blunt - that's a crazy idea. Just get the whole lot redone (in Silvertex - looks waaay nicer than the oe vinyl).

 

[petem]

Incidentally, I do find it hard to get the ingrained grubbiness out of mine. I've been using Armoral Protectant that seems to be a good job of protecting the material but doesn't bring them up as cleanly as I'd like. I'm going to try https://august-race.com/collections/for-power-boats/products/vinyl-bright next season.

 

[petem]

Aha I see from your reply to Pete that you didn't mean replacing the piping, you mean replacing the fluted panels.

That's the word I was looking for :encouragement:

 

[BruceK]

My limited understanding of those fluted sections are they are not just decorative but functional. You will need to speak to a upholsterer but I believe they are there so the material can remain taught and not stretch and become flabby with age use.

Yes, mine are a bugbear as the kids get sand in the flutes and I cant imagine that does anything to help stitching longevity.

If you find an equitable solution I'd be interested in the outcome. :encouragement:

 

[TK Blue MAX]

Hi, we had a late Targa 40, 2007 ,if i remember correctly it had non fluted material,possibly silvertex, but still had the piping, it looked far more modern than a previous targa that had your type of covers.
If i can find a decent photo ,i will post it.

 

[bluetooth]

Aha I see from your reply to Pete that you didn't mean replacing the piping, you mean replacing the fluted panels. Ok, being blunt - that's a crazy idea. Just get the whole lot redone (in Silvertex - looks waaay nicer than the oe vinyl).

As per Pete yes "fluting" is the word
As for crazy - I thought i'd be considered for changing them !!!
BruceK's thoughts are interesting but i'd have thought the modern day material would overcome sagging

I'll brace myself for a new quote and then decide (and probably try Pete's recipe)
Cheers for feedback
Simon