UTV Seat Covers Installation Guide

Your seat is one of the most important parts of your UTV. After all, it’s where you’ll be sitting the most, and there’s nothing quite like a comfy seat while ripping over rough terrain.

Beyond the fact that a new UTV seat cover can provide better comfort for longer rides, it can also keep your seats safe from spills, wear and tear, and UV damage. It also doesn’t hurt to have a stylish new UTV accessory that gels with your personality.

To help make your life easier, we’ve created this guide that goes over how to install a new seat cover, so you can get it looking and feeling its best!

Tools & Materials Needed

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have all of the right tools and materials for an easy installation process.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Required Tools:

● Flat-head screwdriver—for removing old staples.

● Needle-nose pliers—for grabbing and pulling staples when needed; your flathead doesn’t do the trick. 

● Scissors—for trimming excess fabric once your cover is secure.

● Staple gun (manual or air-powered)—for attaching your new seat cover.

● 1/4-inch staples—our recommended size for stapling your cover.

● New UTV seat cover—duh!

● Old seat (if replacing)—you’ll need this to remove the old cover and re-cover it.

Optional Materials:

● Replacement foam—if your seat’s foam is damaged or worn.

● Rags or foam—great for protecting the UTV frame from scratches during installation.

Most of these materials can be found at your local auto or outdoor store, though you can also check online for quick and easy delivery!

Preparing for Installation

Now, let’s go through our pre-install checklist to make sure everything is in place, so we don’t make any mistakes along the way.

Step 1: Inspect the Seat and Frame

Start by checking your seat and frame for any sharp edges, rough spots, or protruding parts that could damage your new cover. We also recommend looking for screws, bolts, or anything else that might puncture the material as you stretch it over the seat.

Step 2: Clean the Seat Area

Next, wipe down the seat and surrounding frame. If you have a dirty, dusty, or debris-covered seating area, it might make it difficult to get tension while stapling it.

Step 3: Prepare the New Seat Cover

Unbox your new cover and check for any defects or tears. Also, check the "front" label to make sure the cover is oriented correctly before you start pulling it into place!

All of the above should be performed in a clean, dry, and well-lit area, so you can see the details and ensure that everything fits just right as you go along. A clear workspace makes the whole process easier!

Installation Process

Time to get into the fun part—the installation process. Follow these steps in order and you’ll have it ready to rock in no time:

Step 1: Remove the old seat cover

With your flat-head screwdriver, carefully remove any old staples securing the previous cover. Once they’re off, gently pull off the old cover and inspect the foam beneath it for any holes or tears.

If it’s in decent shape, you're good to go. However, if it's damaged, we recommend adding some new foam! Once the condition of the seat feels good, you can move on to positioning the new cover.

Step 2: Position the new seat cover

Now let’s get the new cover in place!

Start by checking the front of the new seat cover for a “front” label to make sure it’s oriented correctly.

With your cover aligned and centered, make sure the edges hang evenly over the frame. It might help to gently tug at the cover to get it evenly spread out across the seat’s surface. Once you’ve got the cover in place, staple the top center of the seat first to hold it in place while you work your way down and around the edges.

Step 3: Staple the sides

With the top of the cover secured, move to the sides.

Slowly pull the cover taut while stapling it down, working from the center towards the sides. You want the cover to be smooth, so take your time!

Place staples about every six inches, checking for any wrinkles or loose spots along the way. If you see any, stop and adjust the tension of the cover before continuing. It’s important to smooth out any creases as you go. The tighter you pull, the better the final fit. Just be careful not to overstretch it, as you could tear the material.

Step 4: Deal with the rear of the seat

The rear of the seat is often the hardest part, as you’ll have to deal with the natural curves and angles of the seat. You can use smaller, more frequent staples around the rear, especially along the edges.

These will help the cover conform to the seat’s shape without creating unsightly folds or wrinkles. Be patient and make small adjustments as you go! Sometimes, all you need is a bit of extra tugging to get the cover fitting as expected.

Step 5: Trim excess fabric

Once the cover is secured, get rid of any excess fabric from the seat’s underside using your scissors. Cut as close to the staples as possible without cutting through them.

The goal is to remove any loose or dangling material that could get in the way when you reinstall your seat into your UTV.

Once you've trimmed the edges, your seat cover should be tight, secure, and ready to go!

Maintenance & Care Tips

 Now, let’s talk about the long game.

If you want to keep your UTV seat cover in top condition, regular care and maintenance are key.

Here are some tips to keep your seat cover as fresh as the day you got it:

● Keep the Cover Clean: Regularly wipe down your cover with a damp cloth to prevent buildup.

● Avoid Sharp Objects: Be mindful of sharp items or rough objects that could puncture or tear your seat cover.

● Protect from UV Damage: Protect it from the sun by storing your UTV in a shaded area or using a cover to protect it when it’s not in use!

● Regular Checks: Over time, your cover may shift, so keep an eye on it to make sure it’s securely attached.

● Use the Right Cleaning Products: If your cover is fabric, use a gentle cleaning solution to avoid damaging it. If it’s made of vinyl, however, you can use a mild soap solution.

Conclusion

Look how easy that was! With all of the tips and tricks above, you’ll be riding in comfort and style with your new seat cover in no time. Just remember to give your cover the love it deserves with ongoing maintenance and cleaning.

If you’re thinking about installing a new seat cover but haven’t found the right one yet, check out our selection of seat covers here at StarknightMT!

FAQs

Q1: How long does it take to install a UTV seat cover?

A1: The installation process usually takes about 1-2 hours, depending on your experience and how difficult the seat is to detach and reattach to your UTV. All in all, it’s pretty manageable as long as you have the right tools. 

Q2: Can I reuse my old seat foam?

A2: Absolutely! If it’s in good condition and doesn’t have any holes or wear, there’s no reason not to! 

Q3: How do I clean my UTV seat cover?

A3: Fabric covers can be cleaned with a gentle cleaning solution, while vinyl covers can be cleaned with a mild soap solution. We always recommend following manufacturer recommendations! 

Q4: Do I need special tools to install a UTV seat cover?

A4: Nope! All you need is a set of basic tools, including a flat-head screwdriver, a staple gun, scissors, and a clean, brightly lit work area.