Car upholstery can take a beating with
the constant sopping up of soda spills and the
repetitive rubbing of a vacuum hose against it.
Buying a car seat cover is a little luxury that
can go a long way in protecting a big part
of your asset and will have you...
By Tim Ryan
Star-BulletinYOU wax your car every few months, change the oil each 3,000 miles, even check air pressure in all four tires at each gas fill up. But the one thing you never do is care for the seat covers because you figure they'll last at least as long as you own your car. Maybe that's for low-mileage drivers or people who don't subject the upholstery to water, salt air, pets, or a variety of other damaging possibilities. But just being in Hawaii can be punishment, not only for a car's exterior. Seat covers are pushed, stuck, stretched and spilled on consistently. And replacing original upholstery can cost hundreds of dollars. Investing in protection is a lot less expensive.
By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
The sheep skin covers above are available at Bo Peep
Sheep Skin Centers and come in a range of prices starting at $100.
Some people still rely on the old stand-by T-shirt -- a particular favorite among VW Bug owners. The easily stained cotton material marginally protects original upholstery but still allows liquids to easily pass through.The best protection options these days are Neoprene-nylon, nylon, or sheepskin.
The latest seat coverings in vehicle fashion is the Hawaii-invented Wet Okole Seat Covers, "nylon laminated neoprene" materials that are waterproof, and stain and snag resistant.
Wet Okole was created in Hawaii nine years ago by Phil Willms, a former regional salesman for Honda, and his son Tracy.
"We both had gotten new trucks and needed some kind of seat cover to protect the upholstery," Phil Willms said. "Our seats were always getting wet after surfing, or swimming or diving. The invention was strictly pragmatic."
Wet Okole Seat Covers -- made of the same material as wet suits -- fit car seats like a glove. Under the neoprene in the seat area is a half-inch of foam that adds cushioning, lift, and air circulation.
The universal model -- designed to fit a variety of the most popular car seats -- is about $100 with one color insert in the center section. Custom covers start at about $225; about the same for rear seats.
Wet Okole come in one- or two-tone color combinations -- the most popular color is all black. For custom fitted Wet Okoles, customers can even choose their own logo. These are available on Oahu at 685 Auahi St., in Kona at Pacific Motor Sports, and on Maui and Kauai at Maui Toyota and Kauai Toyota, respectively.
By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Wet Okole Seat Covers are made of the
same material as wetsuits and sell for $100.
To clean the seat covers use soap and water. Rips are easy to repair because the seat covers are made up of as many as 30 pieces. For $12, the company can just sew in a new section.Sheep skin has been utilized for years in Europe as an auto seat cover for the protection it provides the car's seat. The soft but dense texture of the wool allows the occupant to slide onto the seat with less friction. The leather side of the sheepskin -- the underside of the seat -- is very durable.
Sheep skin is comfortable all year round: cool in summer; warm in winter. In warm weather, the fleece of the sheepskin helps to cool you by allowing air circulation between you and your seat. That also helps to evaporate moisture quickly, cooling you and eliminating that sticky uncomfortable feeling.
Sheep skins are durable, comfortable, prevent liquid from seeping into the upholstery, and come in a variety of colors.
For the economy-minded who want comfort and beauty, the universal style -- noncustom -- starts at $100 at Bo Peep Sheep Skin Centers on Oahu. These have a matching stretchable knitted wool or acrylic fiber wrapping fully around the sides, the back and bottom for a firm nonshift fit.
By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
A T-shirt is the old standby seat cover but
it doesn't protect the seat area.
These inexpensive seat covers usually are made up of dozens of "plates," or skin sections, which give the skins a distinctive mosaic, or diamond pattern.There is genuine sheepskin in the sitting area. The higher priced universal seat covers -- about $169 -- use as few as three skins -- giving a more uniform appearance.
Custom fitted sheep skin seat covers -- starting at about $250 -- fit specific automobiles -- often expensive ones like Porsches and Mercedes -- for a tighter fit, and are made of the highest quality, thickest skins.
Spilled liquids are repelled by the wool's natural lanolin, at least for a time.
As for care, dry cleaning is recommended for best results. But sheep skins should be vacuumed, or brush the sheepskin portion of the seat with a wire brush like a dog brush to keep the wool fibers separate to prevent matting.
Spot clean any stains with soap and water as soon as possible after they occur. And air dry away from direct heat.
Rotate covers bought in pairs occasionally. Usually the drivers seat gets more use, so this ensures even wear to your set of seat covers.
