The quality of your golf cart’s seats influences the overall appearance of your cart. After all, it’s one of the things that people first notice when checking out your ride.
But if your seats are in pretty bad shape, you can reupholster them in any way that you choose to make them look awesome.
With that in mind, we explain what materials you need to invest in to reupholster your golf cart and introduce you to some top tips that will help you transform the overall aesthetic of your cart.
What Kind of Material is Used for Golf Cart Seats?
Most golf carts come with vinyl seats as standard. They’re available in a broad range of colors, patterns, and styles, and vinyl is hard-wearing and does well over time.
That being said, vinyl can get quite sticky in hot weather, which can make golf cart seats uncomfortable for some people during the height of summer.
In addition to vinyl, some golf cart sets are made from terry cloth or even sheep skin, so it really just depends on the manufacturer. Reupholstering or replacing your current golf seat can improve the aesthetics of your cart and make it look new.
With that in mind, this article takes a look at the fabric that you need to replace your golf cart seats and provides you with some top tips on how to improve the overall look of your cart’s seats.
How Much Fabric Do I Need for a Golf Cart Seat?
If you’re planning to reupholster your golf cart’s seats, you will need at least two yards of fabric. You can order a huge range of fabrics online, which can be an awesome way to upgrade your golf cart.
It’s a good idea to check out Pinterest to help you identify ideas that you think could work for your golf cart, as you might want to mix and match several fabrics to create the design that you’re going for.
As golf cart seats are removable, reupholstering your seats is a relatively straightforward project and is a great way to enhance and personalize the appearance of your golf cart.
If you have some fabric leftover from this project, you could always use it to create cushions, pillows, or any other home reupholstery project, for that matter. So, you don’t need to worry about two yards being too much, as you can always put the leftover fabric to good use.
How Do You Reupholster a Golf Cart Seat?
Reupholstering a golf seat is a fun and affordable DIY project. There are 5 main steps you need to follow to do it the right way.
- Gather your materials: Order the fabric that you want to use for the project and gather any other materials and tools that will help you carry out the work. You will need thread, staples, underlining, a ruler, tack, and some upholstery tools to help you.
- Remove the current seats: Unscrew the current seats from your vehicle. This is relatively straightforward, and you can do this by unscrewing them.
- Remove the old fabric: Once your seats are out of the cart, remove the old fabric with a knife and leave it to one side.
- Add the new fabric: Place the seats on top of your new piece of fabric to get your measurements. You can then add the underlining before wrapping the new fabric in place around the seats.
- Replace the seats: Once the new fabric is in place, reattach the seats to your golf cart and drive away!
As you can see, it’s relatively easy to reupholster your golf cart seats, but it’s helpful if you have some skill and prior knowledge of upholstery to help you complete the project.
How Much Does It Cost to Re-Cover a Golf Cart Seat?
A DIY reupholstery project can cost anywhere between $20 and $100. While two yards of fabric is relatively inexpensive, you will have to pick up the right tools to help you complete the job, which can drive the price up a little.
Our advice would be to look on eBay or Craigslist for upholstery tools, particularly if you only plan on using them for your golf cart.
If you think you might use them again in the future for other furniture, then there’s no reason not to spend a little bit more on the items that you need.
Of course, if you already have the right tools to use, reupholstering your golf cart seats is a really cheap undertaking and will transform the way your cart looks.
If you want to employ the services of a professional reupholstery company, you can expect it to cost upwards of $200 to get your golf cart seats recovered, highlighting why it’s well worth doing it yourself.
How Do You Fix a Hole in a Golf Cart Seat?
The easiest way to fix a hole in your golf cart seat is to order a rip fix repair patch. They come in multiple colors and are suitable for vinyl golf cart seats. They’re also super affordable and come with all the tools you need to get the job done.
When you receive the kit, you can fix the hole in a matter of minutes, so it’s also a super time-efficient way of repairing the hole in your seat.
Alternatively, you could use the hole in your seat as an opportunity to reupholster your golf cart. Even though the hole might be small, the fact that you’re going to work on the seat means you could easily go the extra mile to reupholster it instead of just applying a patch.
Either way, fixing a hole in your golf cart seat is easy and inexpensive, and it’s not something you should leave. After all, the hole will only get bigger over time.
How Do You Fix Foam on Golf Cart Seats?
If a hole in your golf cart seat has led to an issue with the foam inside, you will need to consider how bad the damage is. For instance, if the foam is seriously damaged and significantly affects the comfort and appearance of the seat, you might need to order a new one.
If it’s mainly an aesthetic issue, you can use underlining to re-wrap the foam and then reupholster the seats yourself. This is a much cheaper option than buying a new foam seat for your cart.
As is the case with a hole in your seat, if there’s a problem with the foam, it’s best to fix it sooner rather than later. You will find that things will only get worse over time, so the longer you leave it, the more problematic it will become.
Ultimately, fixing the foam on your seat is important, as it affects the overall appearance and comfort of your golf cart.
The Best Way to Clean Dirty Golf Cart Seats
The good news is that you don’t need any specialist equipment to clean dirty golf cart seats. If the seats are vinyl, you can use warm water, detergent, and some elbow grease to clean your seats to perfection.
For tougher stains, you could add vinegar to your cleaning solution or perhaps invest in a vinyl cleaning solution that is designed to tackle deeper stains.
The key thing to remember is not to let the dirt accumulate over time. The longer you leave dirt and debris on your golf cart seat, the more likely it is to stain your seats.
So, get into the habit of wiping your golf cart seats down every week or so, and consider giving them a good clean every time you clean the exterior of your cart.
How Do You Get Mold and Mildew Off Golf Cart Seats?
If you’ve just purchased an old golf cart or left your vehicle sitting out for a while, you might have noticed a buildup of mold and mildew on the seat covers. You will be pleased to hear that you can remove it without any issue.
Mix a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar and use a sponge to wipe the seats from side to side. It’s best to wear some disposable cleaning gloves while you’re doing this to protect your fingers and nails when you’re cleaning.
The solution should work its magic and remove the mold and mildew from your seats. When you’re done, wipe the seats down for a final time with a clean, dry cloth and leave your seat out to dry in the sun.
You can then hop into your golf cart and drive away without any issues.
Conclusion
While it’s important to look after your golf cart upholstery from the start, it’s perfectly possible to repair them if they’re in bad shape. You can pick up a couple of yards of fabric for a great price and reupholster your seats in no time at all.
The same is true if you need to fix a hole or repair the foam filling of your seats, and provided you follow the tips listed above; you should be able to reupholster your cart seats with very little hassle.