Seat treatment: ay or nay?

[jcristus]

When my wife bought in 2003 our now totaled Corolla, the dealer sold her some kind of a seat treatment package. She has no idea if it did her her seats any good and if was worth $600. Now she's buying a Prius and the dealer is offering the same thing. We do have a couple of kids and a couple of dogs that sometimes ride w/ her. An alternative would be to buy seat covers for much less than $600.

What do you, guys, think?

[tedroberts]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jcristus @ Nov 26 2007, 11:18 PM) [snapback]544524[/snapback]</div>

When my wife bought in 2003 our now totaled Corolla, the dealer sold her some kind of a seat treatment package. She has no idea if it did her her seats any good and if was worth $600. Now she's buying a Prius and the dealer is offering the same thing. We do have a couple of kids and a couple of dogs that sometimes ride w/ her. An alternative would be to buy seat covers for much less than $600.

What do you, guys, think?
[/b]

I found that a can of Scotch Guard works great and is a lot less than $600.00 I have been able to clean
all kinds of dirt and grime off of my light tan interior easily with a wet rag and carpet cleaner (may be overkill with the carpet cleaner).

[efusco]

Another vote for the $5 can of scotch guard

[Beryl Octet]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jcristus @ Nov 26 2007, 11:18 PM) [snapback]544524[/snapback]</div>

When my wife bought in 2003 our now totaled Corolla, the dealer sold her some kind of a seat treatment package. She has no idea if it did her her seats any good and if was worth $600. Now she's buying a Prius and the dealer is offering the same thing. We do have a couple of kids and a couple of dogs that sometimes ride w/ her. An alternative would be to buy seat covers for much less than $600.

What do you, guys, think?
[/b]

I'm a big fan of keeping the $600. I usually Scotch Guard the seats and carpet and any other fabric, such as door panels, in every car I buy. With a dog, I'd suggest some seat covers, mainly because I think their claws could rip the fabric, an old quilt would work just as well. Happy Motoring!

[Boo]

Under no circumstances whatsoever would I pay $600 for the dealer fabric protection:

* The stock microfiber fabric cleans pretty easily on its own.

* Especially if you get the gray fabric.

* I vote for the $5 Scotch Guard.


And if you decide to get seat covers, these seem to be popular or good options:

* Seat covers for $59 from the ebay vendor "exactseatcovers":

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-7-TOYO...1QQcmdZViewItem

* Seat covers from GT Covers for around $340.

* Seat covers from Wet Okole for around $500 - $600.

* OEM seat covers are also frequently available on ebay for $29 - $89. I bought a new condition 2008 set for $49. These OEM seat covers are purportedly taken off of Prii whose owners opted for aftermarket leather covers. Note that unlike the above seat covers that go over the existing fabric, these OEM seat covers replace the seat covers that come on the car. And therefore, you would probably best have a professional auto upholsterer install them if and when you need to. I don't know how much a professional upholsterer would charge. But if you can find a good set on ebay at the price you're willing to pay, then you can just order them and keep them as backup in the event that your original seat covers ever become irreparably soiled or damaged.

[Dminor]

Not to hijack the topic, but can anyone share their technique on spraying their interior with Scotch Guard?

Did you have to put down any sort of "drop cloth" over the dash, etc. to prevent from over spray or anything of that nature?

I'm real interested, since my last car (with grey interior) could have used a dusting of Scotch Guard, and so I figured I'd do some preventative protection of my brand new interior.

Thanks!

[priusincc]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dminor @ Nov 26 2007, 08:59 PM) [snapback]544568[/snapback]</div>

Not to hijack the topic, but can anyone share their technique on spraying their interior with Scotch Guard?

Did you have to put down any sort of "drop cloth" over the dash, etc. to prevent from over spray or anything of that nature?

I'm real interested, since my last car (with grey interior) could have used a dusting of Scotch Guard, and so I figured I'd do some preventative protection of my brand new interior.

Thanks!
[/b]

I used two cans of regular Scotch Guard to do all of the interrior fabric on mine. I usually do this to all of my purchased cars. There wasn't enough overspray to warrant protecting the dash. I did use an old towel to prevent hitting areas ajacent to seats, etc. I also removed all of the carpeted floor mats (including rear) and treated them with carpet Scotch Guard. I did it when it was still warm and let everything dry overnight. Whole thing came to less than $12; beats $600.

[hill]

I think I paid about $600 for aftermarket leather (not an option on the 04' ... only aftermarket) a couple years ago. I was hoping you were gona be talking about leather treatment. Don't know if scotchguard works on leather :P

[paprius4030]

For $600 I bring over my can of scotchguard and do it PERSONALLY LOL

[daniel]

Definitely do not throw away $600 on dealer anything. But I don't think you even need the Scotchguard. The fabric is already treated with something Toyota uses at the factory, which is basically the same sort of thing. It cleans up very well. No treatment is needed.