Softex seats
- Thread starter xmytruck
- Start date
a damp rag.
I just ordered some Aerospace 303 (I'm pretty sure that's right) to protect my dash in my '17 TRDORP. It's a dust, dirt, and UV repellant. I hate the grey "dead plastic" looking of faded dashes. I was thinking about giving the seats a wipe down with it, as it says it's good for vinyl and leather. Good idea or no? Anyone tried using anything like this?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
mcox522
New member
I use it on my seats and have had no issues so far.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk
I did this too and got a lot of references to leaf blowers (to include electric). Now I know what to use my auxiliary power port for!
Came from a leather car, was a tough choice between the softex and cloth but ease of cleaning on the softex was a no brainer.
I don't know if I'm crazy or not but it feels to me like my softex seats stay cooler than my previous cars leather seats. Then again, going from a black exterior to a white exterior may have a big part in that.
I don't know if I'm crazy or not but it feels to me like my softex seats stay cooler than my previous cars leather seats. Then again, going from a black exterior to a white exterior may have a big part in that.
ToyoT4R
Member
I've found the Softex to be very hot. After a 20 minute drive my thighs and ass get a bit sweaty... laying down a cloth on the seat bottom helps a lot.
I have replaced my front cloth seats with softex. I bought the skins from a guy who switched to katzskins. But I didn't realize that the 2nd tow is configured differently on vehicles with a 3rd row. I would love to get the 2nd row covered in softex too but it's hard to find especially in the 3rd row configuration. If anyone is interested in the 2nd row softex skins let me know. Better yet if anyone wants to trade for 2nd row skins used in a 3 row configuration let me know. Looking back I should have upgraded at purchase time
Fancy name for vinyl.:director:
stamonkey
New member
Yup, I did the same. I swapped out my '14 Trail seat covers for '14 TEPs a couple years ago. As a dog owner that sheds all of time, the softex is amazing for cleanup. I could never get all of the dog hair out of the cloth. It was a tedious DIY, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.
As for the summer time swamp ass, I think my 4Runner softex seats stay cooler than the leather sports seats in my BMW.
Coler2002
Member
When I was getting my 4runner I waited almost 4 months because i wanted a sr5 premium with 3rd row. I wanted the premium for the softex and heated seats. It gets cold up here in Maine! With 2 kids and a dog it needs to be easy to clean. So far it has been great. I will agree with everyone that the softex does get a but hot on the warmer days or long drives. If I had to do it over again I would still get the softex. Plus the 2 tone in the sr5 looks great.
Beer_Runner
New member
First time with SofTex here. Wife also has the VW equivalent on her Golf SW. They run really hot and do not breath at all. Other than their apparent longevity attributes, I am not a fan. Vinyl is vinyl.
ToyoT4R
Member
Toyota didn't want to splurge for genuine Naugahyde...
Attachments
rdswriter
New member
Thanks for the detail kerry1.
I prefer the Softex to leather for an offroad/camping vehicle. I've had leather for over 20 years in the Florida heat/sun/water. I've had my 14TEP for three years and I've had people comment on how new the interior looks... like better than their 2016 cars.
So far, the Softex has worn EXTREMELY well... much better than the leather seat's I've had in the past. Minimal creases, no cracking, no wear and virtually no maintenance (other than vacuum and wipe down with a wet microfiber cloth.) Take it to the beach, get in wet from boating/swimming, dirt from animals... no worries. The only damage so far was from a completely freaked out kitten my kids took out of the crate which then proceeded to "anchor" itself to the rear bench seat... as a son pulled it from the seat. So yes.. kitten claws will scratch Softex... but they scratch leather too. The difference is that a scratch is less noticeable in Softex because the color is constant all the way through whereas leather tends to lighten with a scuff or scratch.
The ONLY thing I wish that was different is for the TEP/TRD series to have ventilated seats. Which if you go for the Limited, you'll get both ventilated seats and leather... but at a higher cost and less off road capability.
Last edited: