Seat Covers Research Guide

Seat Covers Research Guide Glossary Terms

• Custom Fit
• DWR
• Friction
• Neoprene
• Pelts
• Pink Slip
• Polyester
• Semi-Custom Fit
• Series
• SIPS
• Sword of Damocles
• Universal Fit
• UV / Ultra Violet

Seat Covers Research Guide Glossary Definitions

Custom Fit

When we say that a seat cover is custom fit, we mean that it is manufactured to fit your exact year, make and model vehicle. There is no better fit, except maybe the factory-installed upholstery that came with your vehicle.

DWR

An abbreviation for Durable Water Repellency, which is a treatment used on the SeatSaver Seat Cover that keeps moisture from soaking into the cover and down into your seats.

Friction

Without going into a physics lecture, friction basically refers to the rubbing together of two objects when one or both are moving. This contact releases energy in the form of heat, and eventually results in surface deterioration.

Neoprene

Neoprene is truly a jack-of-all-trades material. Originally designed as an oil-resistant alternative to natural rubber, researchers quickly discovered that this marvelous material could be used in an almost limitless number of applications. Widely known as the basic component in wet suits, neoprene is also used in electrical insulation, fan belts, gaskets, noise insulation pads and even seat covers.

Pelts

An animal skin that still has the fur, hair or wool still attached. The advantage of using pelts for seat covers is that they do not shed, like lesser fur seat covers.

Pink Slip

A pink slip is an American slang term that means the title of a vehicle. Often, street racers wager their pink slips on a race, which is to say that the winner keeps the losers vehicle. Most DMVs recommend that you do not drive with your pink slip in the glove box, just in case your vehicle is ever stolen.

Polyester

A strong, lightweight synthetic fiber that has long been utilized for its water-resistance. During the 1970's, polyester became a highly popular fabric among the disco community.

Semi-Custom Fit

While not quite tailor-made, semi-custom fit means that the seat cover will fit about 80% as well as a full custom fit seat cover. Semi-custom seat covers should not be used on vehicles with side impact airbags because they obstruct these vital safety systems.

Series

A car, truck or SUV's series is the sub model in any particular auto line. For example, a 2005 Ford Mustang has 8 series, ranging from the standard V-6 to the GT Premium Convertible. Check your registration or title if you are unsure about your vehicle's series.

SIPS

An acronym for Side Impact Protection System, which we generally refer to as side impact airbags. These lifesaving airbags deploy from the side of car seats, protecting the driver's and passenger's heads from smacking into windows and door jams.

Sword of Damocles

This once common phrase is generally used to describe an impending disaster or a constant threat. It stems from a story told by the great Latin orator, Cicero, about the paranoid tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius. To show a young courtier, Damocles, that being a ruler is a precarious profession, Dionysius held a banquet in honor of Damocles. Throughout the feast, a sword dangled over Damocles' head, held up by a single horse hair. Needless to say, Damocles promptly excused himself from the feast.

Universal Fit

A seat cover that has a universal fit will, as its name implies, work on any bucket seat. It does not fit the exact contours of your particular year, make and model's seats, but it does make an excellent cover to pull out of your trunk in an emergency.

UV / Ultra Violet

Ultra violet light, which literally means beyond violet, is an electromagnetic wave of light that is invisible to the human eye, though can be seen by many birds, snakes and insects. The sun emits large amounts of UV radiation, which is mostly filtered out by our atmosphere. What does get through, though, is harmful to our skin and to our upholstery. It dries out the natural oils in leather, and it bleaches color out of vinyl and cloth upholstery.