Torn seat covers not really torn...

[HikeSticks]

Maybe it's a guy thing... The seat cover for the front couch (gaucho?) was torn and dirty, and the rest were getting a bit grubby too, and I felt it was time for an upgrade and new covers. I sent an email to a person I understand makes them but didn't get a reply. I decided to remove the foam from the 'bad' one to see if I could sew it together enough to make it half presentable until I break down for a new set. Surprise... When I took the foam out and took a closer look... it turns out the zipper is sewn into a separate piece of material and that material is sewn to the main cover material. What I thought were tears are not. The thread used to sew the parts together has failed and just needs to be re-sewn. The material itself hasn't failed as I had suspected. After a stint in the washer they don't look too bad. I'll take them to the local seamstress and have her re-sew the zipper sections that came apart and ... try to squeeze the foam back in and I should be good to go. Just think.... how far can I go, and how long can I stay, with the money I save by not replacing the covers? Yahoo!! I guess I shouldn't jump to conclusions when... I really don't know.
Cheers,
Barrie

[rgrugg]

More money for your gas tank if you don't replace the covers.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Barrie Bochoff

Yahoo!! I guess I shouldn't jump to conclusions when... I really don't know.
Cheers,
Barrie

Good for you Barrie.

[Sharon G]

try to squeeze the foam back in

Barrie, if you wrap plastic trash bags around the foam, it will go in smoothly and easily, then when the foam is in position in the cover, you can just pull the trash bags out.

[HikeSticks]

It turns out putting the foam back into the covers was easy. The covers all have zippers along the long side amd half way down each short side. I have read so much about the challenges of putting the foam back I just assumed my situation would be the same; not so.
I am usually in Florida on my fall trip this time of year but I had too many things on my plate with family this year and haven't made it yet. Doing a few odds and ends in the trailer certainly reawakened the itch though. I can't wait to hit the road again... but when.
Barrie

[Bill and Jacquie G.]

Originally Posted by Barrie Bochoff

It turns out putting the foam back into the covers was easy. The covers all have zippers along the long side amd half way down each short side. I have read so much about the challenges of putting the foam back I just assumed my situation would be the same; not so.
I am usually in Florida on my fall trip this time of year but I had too many things on my plate with family this year and haven't made it yet. Doing a few odds and ends in the trailer certainly reawakened the itch though. I can't wait to hit the road again... but when.
Barrie

Hi Barrie ------- Bill here. Isn't it nice when when it all comes together?!!!
Jacquie has been a "Super-Zipper-Fixer" for thirty years and suggests while you are "servicing the cushions" you should grab that stub of the WHITE candle you have in the drawer and lube the teeth of the zipper. It's best if you open/expose the teeth. Go the full length and back once. No need to press hard on the teeth, a little goes a long way. Finnish up by running the pull the full length a couple of times. This also works well on tents, sleeping bags, jackets, sports bags, ect. (the pros use something that looks like a white crayola)

Get on-the-road-again soon!!!

[HikeSticks]

Originally Posted by Bill and Jacquie G.

Hi Barrie ------- Bill here. Isn't it nice when when it all comes together?!!!
Jacquie has been a "Super-Zipper-Fixer" for thirty years and suggests while you are "servicing the cushions" you should grab that stub of the WHITE candle you have in the drawer and lube the teeth of the zipper. It's best if you open/expose the teeth. Go the full length and back once. No need to press hard on the teeth, a little goes a long way. Finnish up by running the pull the full length a couple of times. This also works well on tents, sleeping bags, jackets, sports bags, ect. (the pros use something that looks like a white crayola)

Get on-the-road-again soon!!!

Thanks Bill! The zippers are the older metal type and a couple are stiff. I appreciate your suggestion.
Barrie