How to Repair a Headrest + pics, inexpensive and easy Options

[vile_v]

I am an amateur involving clothes and re-fabrication, therefore I cannot be held responsible for anything that happens to your headrest if you try this. This is strickly a guide/advice to help you out. Now that we are okay on the legal stuff, here is an easy and inexpensive way to repair a worn-out headrest. If the foam in your headrest is either too dry and has cracked or its just been overused you might want to try this.

These are how mine were:

*you can feel the metal bar, it actually bumps out


*the ends can easily move around

Time: 20-30 minutes per headrest

Tools:
- Headrest
- Sheets of Clothes (white flannel)
- Scissor
- Zap Straps
- Needle and Some Sewing Thread

Step One:
You have to remove the fabric, its relatively easy. Its one clip at the bottom of the headrest, just pull on one end and it should just slowly slide off.

After you remove the fabric you might get something like this:

* foam is completey torned, metal bar not even being held down

Step Two:
You now have to cut pieces that will be wrapped around the bar to re-create the support. I cut three seperate pieces (shown in the pic below)


Once your down cutting the three pieces, you have to wrap them around the bar. I wrapped the top one first because i wanted a smoother look. (hope that makes sense) Once your done wrapping the flannel around the bar you can tied them down with a zap strap. I tried to leave the end of the zap strap facing inwards so you can't feel it later.


after that its time to wrap the sides, just like before zap strapped them down. I tried to make the sides symetrical so that it would fit better when you put the bar back into the foam.

* i dont know if you can see it but i placed the zap strap ends are facing inwards

Step Three:
You have to now push the bar back into the headrest, obviously its fatter due to the wrapped flannel. If you have a hard time pushing it in, try wiggling it in. Be careful not to break the foam because that is still your main comfort support. Once it is in, it should look like this:


Step Four:
This time your creating a wrapped seal, just so everything will stay in place. I used some more flannel, a relatively large piece to wrap around the headrest.


I then sewed one side of the flannel together:


The reason why i sewed one side first is because its gonna be alot easier to do the next step. read on..

Step Five:
You have to cut some small pieces of flannel to place in the headrest. This will replace the broken foam and to recreate the original shape too.


Once you have your sheets, shove them under the top flannel. Your trying to recreate an even top.


I used about 5 small flannel pieces to make it really soft, its very nice now.

Once your done that sew the other side up and your ready to put on your fabric.


Final Step:
You should wash your fabric first, having the broken, old, dirty and smelly foam bits in the fabric can cause rashes and itchiness to your skin. This could also be a good time to custom make your own headrest (eg. leather headrest) Put the clip back together and you should have a nice, soft, clean almost like new headrest.


Notes:
Thanks for taking the time to read my how-to. I hope this helps anyone who has the same problems as i did.

This post has been edited by vile_v: Dec 11, 2007 - 12:44 AM

[njccmd2002]

very nice idea, i did something similar but with the seats.


I used glue (contact Cement) and Jeans.... it stank for a while but it went away. I doubt my repair will last. I think your wrap idea is nice...

[vile_v]

very nice idea, i did something similar but with the seats.


I used glue (contact Cement) and Jeans.... it stank for a while but it went away. I doubt my repair will last. I think your wrap idea is nice...

Hey thanks.

whoah really!? contact cement is so strong though, plus you added one of the toughest fabrics out there (jeans) it should last longer than my poor sewing skills...


This post has been edited by vile_v: Dec 12, 2007 - 1:22 AM

[njccmd2002]

yea, but the foam aint strong. so it ill come apart with the glue an all. I which there were more options to repairs our seats, without swapping..

[Jaws4God]

cool.. this will be helpful when I get around to install headrest monitors thanks!

[vile_v]

cool.. this will be helpful when I get around to install headrest monitors thanks!

Np, get some pics if you can on your installed. i would like to do that too someday, but i know someone will steal my headrest for sure than. i leave my top down all the time

goodluck =)