How to Sew Upholstery for a Golf Cart

Golf carts' interiors are made for durable comfort. Unfortunately, many golf cart interiors are plain and uninspiring. Eventually, cracks become noticeable, and the seating surfaces must be repaired or replaced, which can be rather expensive. Why not reupholster the golf cart's interior yourself? With some imagination and preplanning, you can make durable, unique upholstery on your own.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Vinyl cleanser
  • Screwdrivers
  • Socket wrench set
  • Tape measure
  • Outdoor/exterior fabric (at least 10 feet by 5 feet)
  • Scissors
  • Heavy-duty/outdoor upholstering
  • Color-matched thread
  • Large sewing pins
  • Sewing machine
  • Super glue
  • Thick upholstering needle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Park your golf cart, disconnect its battery and set its parking brake. Wash the seating surfaces, then allow them time to fully dry.

    • 2

      Unscrew or unbolt the seat and seatback. The lower cushion usually covers the battery, and sits on a piece of fiberglass or aluminum, or both. Remove the entire piece, and unscrew or unbolt the seat bottom. The seatback will be easier to remove, with just a few large screws or small bolts on a steel bracket.

    • 3

      Measure the dimensions of the seats. Use the measuring tape to measure the width of the seats from the midpoint of the side on each piece. Take the length and double it, to give you enough material to add a double layer of fabric to each seat.

    • 4

      Cut the fabric after double-checking the measurements. Leave your two pieces of fabric in the sun for an hour or so --- most exterior fabrics have nylon in them and will flatten out their wrinkles after lying in warm sunlight.

    • 5

      Fold your fabric and begin to pin it along the sides, inside out. Make sure to only pin the fabric, not the seat. You will have an opening at the bottom of the fabric, where you will later slip the fabric over the seats. With the fabric inside-out, the seams can all be sewn; afterward, however, turned right-side out, the seams will look clean and professional.

    • 6

      Remove the fabric with the pinned seams intact.

    • 7

      Sew the pinned seams on a sewing machine using heavy-duty/outdoor upholstering and color-matching thread. Remove each pin as you sew, before the sewing machine's needle makes contact with the pin. Repeat the sewing pattern at least twice, then repeat the process for the second cover.

    • 8

      Turn both covers right-side-out and place over the appropriate seating surface. Be sure the open seam will be the section of the seating surface that will not be seen once everything is remounted.

    • 9

      Find through the new fabric where the screw- or boltholes are located, and cut small holes to allow the seats to be mounted. Use super glue on the outer points of the new holes to prevent ripping or running.

    • 10

      Pin the open bottom on both seat covers, closed as tightly as possible.

    • 11

      Sew the seat bottoms using the needle and heavy-duty/outdoor upholstering and color-matching thread. Triple-stitch each end, and use super glue to prevent unraveling.

    • 12

      Reattach the seats to the golf cart, and enjoy.