I'm currently reupholstering my rear seat because I let my friend borrow my E and he smoked in it even though he knows that I would've never allowed it. He refused to pay for the damages, and now he's not so much of a good friend now.
Anyways, I'm in the process of taking apart the old cover, and I ordered a new OEM Seat cover. I'm having an issue removing the Cup Holder. It doesn't want to come out all the way. Only the back part of the plastic where the recline tab is located will pop off then the front of the cup holder won't pull out.
I would agree,I doubt that will really take care of the offending odor.:? There are currently some great products that should be able to take care of this issue,without going through the trouble/expense of replacing upholstery.
My last vehicle had quite an noticeable odor from the previous owners,so I purchased some X-O Odor neutralizer/cleaner located in that link I had posted and it really did an excellent job of removing the offensive odor.Maybe for your application,an odor bomb would be a good choice.
My dad had a similar issue with a smoker (it was the previous owner) on his Nissan Xterra. He shampooed the seats many many times. (4-5 times I think). Then he placed piles of baking soda underneath the seats and would leave it there for about 2 weeks and then vacuum and replace the pile with a new pile.
After doing this for about 6 weeks the smell was gone. Maybe you can rig up some contraption with "tupper-ware" under the rear seats to hold the baking soda back there. and maybe just placing a small "tupper-ware" container under each front seat. This should solve that smell and issue.
I rent a lot of cars for my work... sometimes they really stink. I use the coffee grounds from my motel room, they come in a little filter pack, and are very conveniant. after a few days, it's gone.
i assume that op is replacing one seat cover cause there are burns in it from said former friend, not just the smell. either way see picture below, it is just clips holding it in.
Pull up on the center tray (A) to detach the clips, then remove the tray with the recline strap (B).
Thanks for the replies. I completely forgot to mention that I was replacing the seat cover because there was a cigarette burn in the seat which put a hole right down to the foam. Fortunately the smell didn't stay.
I have successfully managed to get the cup holder out. I didn't realize that those clips were there.
I'm about 95% percent completed with the project. I just have to finish putting hinged latch back on the bottom. Then my E will be like new =]
Thanks for the replies. I completely forgot to mention that I was replacing the seat cover because there was a cigarette burn in the seat which put a hole right down to the foam.
It's bad enough that smokers carry their stench around on their clothes and hair, smoking in someone elses car or home without permission is beyond rude. Fortunately, the last of our smoking relatives has died, so now we even don't have to put up with the stink on their clothing.
If someone burned holes in my Element's seat and refuse to pay for repairs, I wouldn't "unfriend" (the latest new word) them. I'd think about returning the favor somehow. Perhaps magic shop liquid stink - the persistent smell of rotten eggs and f*rts with no visible evidence.:lol:
Hartz Clean Earth Stain/Odor Remover (pet aisle) is pretty good at getting out smoking stink and baby/pet accident smells and stains. There is also an automotive version of Febreez.
Don't forget to clean the inside surfaces of the windows - they act like magnets for cigarette smoke.
I have a 2005 E and on one of the rear seats the strap broke that reclines the seat. My bad luck it broke with the seat in the reclining position. How do I remove the part that encases the strap (also the same plastic piece as the cup holder) to at least get my seat back in the upright position? Or is this something better left to Honda Service? Thanks, Thom
Eric,
I was able to get off the cup holder but there is still metal underneath and I was still not able to see where the strap went (I am not sure if it came off or fell inside or the dog ate it or WHAT!
any advice!
I was able to get off the cup holder but there is still metal underneath and I was still not able to see where the strap went (I am not sure if it came off or fell inside or the dog ate it or WHAT!
any advice?
Haven't done this myself so can't say for sure, but ... if you can't see the strap with a flashlight (or better yet, an ultra-thin inspection light), you might have to go to someone who can take the thing apart.
Meanwhile, threads merged. One thread per topic, please.
Your diagram was great in getting those cup holders out. Starting at the rear by the recline strap and working my way forward was the best way. No way to get them out without having an idea where the clips were. Thanks
how are these old, old, old posts getting re-surged? better to post a new topic rather than trying to revive a 6 year old topic? I truly am not talking about just this thread. I have seen this a lot lately and it's just a head scratcher to me. why would we want to attach everything to old threads, esp. when the old threads may not be relevant?
There is nothing wrong with bringing back an old thread it the questiin or comment is relevant to the existing thread. In fact the mods encourage it. If a posted started a new thread every time they had a question about something with could end up with a 100 plus threads on the same subject.
I got mine off but the metal clips on most of them stuck to the cup holder rather than remaining embedded in the foam of the seat. This was a problem as when I put the new ones in they did not seat in the foam very tightly. I ended up using hide glue and holding them in place with clamps. Still not an awesome fit but they aren't going anywhere.
Also there was a plastic rivet on the strap that had to be removed to unthread/rethread the strap. I was able to pop it back on but I don't know how strong it will be. I think the rivet is there so the strap can't recess under the cup holder.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
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