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Maintaing and caring for SofTex seats

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Frank Castle, May 1, 2013.

  1. Frank Castle

    Frank Castle Junior Member

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    I'm new to the forum and have recently purchased a 2012 Prius. It's a model five with the SofTex trimmed seats. I was curious to know how you maintain and care for the seats. Do you use the typical leather moisturizer or something else? I know the seats aren't leather so I'm wondering how the rest of you do so. My previous car had leather seats and they looked worn out within a year of owning it. I'm not a big guy either, 180 pounds. I'm trying to keep them as nice looking as I can for as long as possible.

    Thanks in advance for your responses, I do appreciate it. Take care and safe driving.
     
    #1 Frank Castle, May 1, 2013
  2. Muzzman1

    Muzzman1 Member

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    It's been over a yr for me. I keep my car garaged, and have never done anything with my Softex other than a moist towel to wipe down when necessary. Seats still pretty much look new.
     
    #2 Muzzman1, May 1, 2013
  3. bullet875

    bullet875 Junior Member

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    I don't think you should have to do anything to the seats other than what Muzzman said. They are "pleather' which is a type of cloth so they should be Ok.

    I'm worried about ripping mine with a key, backpack hook , or something. How durable are they?
     
    #3 bullet875, May 1, 2013
  4. Jamesb93612

    Jamesb93612 Member

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    You really don't have to do much with the SofTex seats. Just wipe them down once and a while. Just watch out with the bolsters (sides) of the seat. Mine was already like this when I got my '08 used a couple of years ago. I am not sure if the previous owner was heavy set, but i did notice the same thing in multiple cars when i was shopping. It hasn't got worse in the 2 years that I have owned this car. Other than that, they look just as good as new!


    iPad ? HD
     

    Attached Files:

    #4 Jamesb93612, May 1, 2013
  5. Hoosier1

    Hoosier1 Member

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    After 14 months my Softex gray seats still look and feel like new. Absolutely no signs of wear, and I'm slightly over 180 pounds. I have used a leather conditioner treatment twice on the seats. Also, I'm very careful about avoiding clothing such as Levi's with metal rivets. Initially, there were concerns related to how soft and thin the Softex feels, but the material is holding up very well.
     
    #5 Hoosier1, May 21, 2013
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Thanks for the update, Hoosier1. Curious minds wanted to know how SofTex holds up and it appears to be doing well so far.

    Looks the same as my car! It also doesn't help that the steering wheel is offset to the left a bit so you tend to sit closer to the left bolster than the right.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, May 21, 2013
  7. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    303 aerospace protectant
     
    #7 tankyuong, May 21, 2013
  8. Hoosier1

    Hoosier1 Member

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    Reference the picture of my drivers seat after 14 months and 12k miles.
     

    Attached Files:

    #8 Hoosier1, May 21, 2013
  9. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Is that butt sweat?
     
    #9 tankyuong, May 21, 2013
    Jnaom likes this.
  10. Hoosier1

    Hoosier1 Member

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    No, it's shadows from the garage light and camera flash.

    Nice scooter...good way to get your need for speed.
     
    #10 Hoosier1, May 21, 2013
    PriusC-illa likes this.
  11. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :)I'm happy with the Softex seats. Prefer it over leather. Like the look and feel.
     
    #11 -1-, May 21, 2013
  12. harold

    harold Member

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    Just used Lexol Vinyl and Plastic cleaner/protector. Looks great. Gives a depth to the Softex.



    Lexol Premium Protectant
     
    #12 harold, Jul 31, 2013
  13. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Lol, Harold do you own Lexol stock or something? My Tapatalk app shows all "recent posts" and you've posted in multiple forums about Lexol products. :D

    SCH-I535
     
    #13 xliderider, Jul 31, 2013
    Jnaom and harold like this.
  14. harold

    harold Member

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    Funny! Just posted it in the 3 threads I found asking about care of Softex.
     
    #14 harold, Aug 1, 2013
  15. eliotb

    eliotb Junior Member

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    The big wear issue for any left-side driver's or right-side passenger seat's squab (backrest) is our collective habit of sliding into seats backside first, right hip into the drivers side as we slide down into the seat. It leads to substantial wear over time. One sure way to minimize the problem is to use the steering wheel to hold your weight and plop oneself down into the seat rather than sliding into it. That goes a long, long way toward reducing wear on the vertical outer side of the seatback (squab, be it leather, softex or cloth.
     
    #15 eliotb, Aug 1, 2013
  16. Delta Flyer II

    Delta Flyer II Active Member

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    I condition mine every 3 months just due to the heat here. In between I use a lightly damp microfiber cloth with Meguiar's Quick Interior Detail. I can use it on the leather and dash. SMARTWAX also has a really nice leather conditioner which is what I use quarterly. I use it on the leather furniture, moms purse, its really good stuff
     
    #16 Delta Flyer II, Aug 17, 2013
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