Seat Repair

Creamer · Apr 2, 2012

I have a seat on my lawnmower that is from Michigan Seat that is in good shape except that the U-Shaped ribbing that clips the vinyl to the edge of the metal frame and holds it in place keeps coming off. Any suggestions on how to hold it on? It seems a waste to buy a new seat for something so simple. The seat is about 12 years old so it is long past warranty.

Sutol · Apr 2, 2012

Creamer said:
I have a seat on my lawnmower that is from Michigan Seat that is in good shape except that the U-Shaped ribbing that clips the vinyl to the edge of the metal frame and holds it in place keeps coming off. Any suggestions on how to hold it on? It seems a waste to buy a new seat for something so simple. The seat is about 12 years old so it is long past warranty.

I have the same problem, glued it on but still comes off.

I think there are clips that should hold it or maybe we have to buy new strip for it so as it will grip

banjodunn · Apr 2, 2012

G'day try pulling a small section of the ribbing off the seat and squeeze it together with a pair of pliers, there is metal inside the rubber coating and over age it looses tension or rusts

. If it is still no good then over here the ribbing is avail at places that sell rubber/foam don't know about over there maybe and auto upholsterer may be able to supply you with some new stuff.
Just a word of caution if you are going to put new stuff on then only pull a small section of the old of at a time (2-3") as you put the new on behind it otherwise the cover may start to come of and then you need four hands and two left feet to get it back on:laughing:

Jon

silvertramp · Apr 3, 2012

silicone.

Soundguy · Apr 3, 2012

a 1/16 pin hole drill3ed thru in a couple places and some aluminum or bailing wire might work. hit with a lil black paint and will be invisible.. and still easy to remove if needed, unlike glue/goo

Creamer · Apr 3, 2012

silvertramp said:
silicone.

Not sure what you mean. Silicone is a sealant and lubricant which would be the opposite of what I need.

Creamer · Apr 3, 2012

I tried calling Michigan Seat who made the seat but they were useless. Then I tried calling Deines - the mower manufacturer - and got ahold of a guy there who said to coat the edge of the stamped metal frame with contact cement or spray adhesive, then let it dry. Then put the vinyl and U-channel retainer back on and be sure to tap the retainer with a rubber mallet to get the clip in the bottom of the U on the vinyl. The adhesive gives the steel a roughened sticky surface and it will not slide off near as easy.

This sounded logical to me so I tried it today. The seat looks good but only time will tell if it holds up.

Thanks for all the ideas! I really appreciate everybody trying to help!