protect original seats?

c300g

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Nepean Ontario
My 65 Plymouth has the original upholstery and I'm quite paranoid about it getting damaged. I purchased clear plastic upholstery material and did a trial run with it. That didnt go well. After being in the heat for a few hours, it started to melt and stick to the vinyl.
I tried a blanket as well but it was trouble as well.
Just wondering what others have done to protect their seats.
 
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it as it has lasted this long, concentrate on driving and enjoying the car, you can always reupholster should it eventually require it.

Probably the best way to preserve a car is on axle stands unused then nothing will ever wear out, but you'll also never derive any enjoyment from it either.

Happy motoring.
 
Kind of a no-win situation. Cloth interiors which were "Fingerhutted" when new had pristine looking seats for years. When the plastic was removed, the "pristine" fabric had dry-rotted and quickly disintegrated.

Even without the plastic, the aging of the cloth fabric will continue. Put a little strain on it, or even a cardboard box in the back seat and the fabric and the foam under it can tear.

IF the cloth is still in good condition, probably best to learn how to get into the car without any squirming around, which can put stress on the fabric. Rather than entering the driver's seat by sitting and turning, figure out how to step into the front floorboard, then continue to sit down pretty much where you'll end up. If you need to adjust your position, raise up to do it rather than sliding/squirming around on the seat. When you exit, put your left foot out first, then pivot on it as you raise up out of the seat.

Blankets or bath sheet towels can work, IF they are properly anchored over the seat bottom. Sliding around would still be discouraged, though. Higher thread count sheets can work, too.

Just like not pushing down on the armrest as you open the door can take some awareness of what you're doing (AND putting more wear into the door hinge pin bushings!), these things can take a little time to learn. But once learned, they become second nature, by observation.f

See what works best in your situation.

CBOd'Y67
 
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it as it has lasted this long,
the car had 28K miles when i got it. elderly school teacher hardly drive it.
in 1 season of driving the car, i've put 5K miles on it. it is my daily driver for the summer.
 
If your clear plastic melted, you obviously used an inferior plastic/vinyl. I've had such covers for years on my '61 LeBaron to protect the wool/leather.

However, if given to do it over, I'd probably use a good cotton sheet, tailored to fit. I use that on my '51 Imperial (which beats the hell otta wool or clear vinyl).
 
I'm careful, but I just drive my cars as they were intended. Occasionally I'll throw a old cotton sheet on the seat but that's usually just for a road test after maintenance. I've seen damage from a lot of seat covers installed to and protect the fabric/vinyl.
 
Keep it out of the sun. The UV light is what kills the vinyl and fabric. Keep them clean and I suggest using 303 Protectant sparingly on the vinyl after you've cleaned it. 303 Aerospace Protectant, 303 aerospace, 303 protectant, aerospace protectant, 303 products, 303 or buy it at Amazon or your favorite boat store. A lot of cheap sprays, like Armour-All, will tend to dry out the vinyl, or at least that's the opinion of a lot of car detailers.

Common sense goes a long way too...
 
My 65 Plymouth has the original upholstery and I'm quite paranoid about it getting damaged. I purchased clear plastic upholstery material and did a trial run with it. That didnt go well. After being in the heat for a few hours, it started to melt and stick to the vinyl.
I tried a blanket as well but it was trouble as well.
Just wondering what others have done to protect their seats.
Mine has a pristine perfect interior. The seats had those clear plastic covers on them for years. Parked in a central air garage, so it had few temperature extremes, and little sun damage. If the plastic covers didn't work for you, try to keep from sliding on them when getting in or out. Actually pick yourself up so you don't rub across the seat, and you should be good.
 
Just using the correct cleaner once in a while helps to preserve the material. also avoiding scratches, etc, but that`s obvious.
 
just tell all of your occupants: forbid burying bones in the seat...and no scratchy-scratchy.
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