Tillett Racing Seats are well-known for their high-quality craftsmanship and longevity, but you shouldn’t think that means you can neglect them when it comes to maintenance. As one of the few components in your vehicle that you are in constant contact with, the condition of your seat becomes pivotal not just for comfort but for safety as well. In this blog, we will guide you through the best practices and maintenance methods needed to keep your Tillett Seat functioning at its best.
Tillett Car Seats are all made from either Carbon Fibre/Epoxy or GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic, otherwise known as Fibreglass), sometimes with a cosmetic carbon layer. Both types of laminate are hard, smooth and shiny, so are generally resilient to wear and will only need occasional cleaning.
A big selling point of our Carbon Fibre is the high-gloss finish, over time this finish can become dull or faded, depending on how often the seat is used. This is not a problem for the GRP and Carbon/GRP seats as they have a gel coat, so they can be polished as you would with paintwork on a car.
The super lightweight full Carbon Epoxy seats (B7, B9, B2) are different and do not have any coating on the surface. These carbon fibres are therefore close to the surface, so cutting compounds and some polishes can easily send the surface dull and patchy, as the very thin surface resin could be rubbed away. Firstly, use a soft non-abrasive cloth - a microfibre would be perfect and won’t cause any scratches. You are then strongly advised to only use a non-abrasive polish and may want to consider investing in some polish specifically designed for use on Carbon Fibre products and which have additional UV stability built in. UV can damage epoxy resin in components which are directly exposed to the sun and rain. The GRP and Carbon/GRP construction seats are not as vulnerable to UV damage.
Carbon Fibre and GRP can crack or fracture in high-stress incidents. If you have any kind of impact no matter how big or small, you should give your seats a thorough inspection. Even if you have not had an impact of any kind, it wouldn’t hurt to get into the habit of giving a seat used in competition a quick check periodically.
Mainly check the edges for delamination, stressing or cracks as the edge is where any problem is likely to first occur. Also, check the bracket holding the seat in place, making sure every bolt is tight and secure and it is very important that the composite is not being forced out of its naturally moulded shape.
As the miles rack up, specific parts of your seat might begin showing signs of wear and tear, the fabric on the headrest for example. Fear not, the beauty of Tillett Seats lies in the modular design, allowing for the seamless replacement of specific parts and upholstery. If you observe signs of fading, tears, or wear, then it may be time to invest in a high-quality, genuine Tillett replacement part. You can view all of our seat parts here, or if there is anything that you need but can’t find, just get in touch with us here!
We understand that car enthusiasts often want their seats to be unique, that’s why we give you the option of fitting out your new seat with a bespoke headrest. Get in touch with us to learn more!
When the Winter months roll around, enthusiasts often put their cars away in storage. Just like you would prepare your car’s engine, tyres and paintwork for storage, ensuring your Tillett Seat is well prepared is the best practice in maintaining its quality and longevity.
Firstly you should give them a good clean keeping in mind the tips that we shared previously in this article. It would be a good idea to keep hold of the bags that our seats come in as part of the original packaging. If you uninstall the seats you can keep them in the bags throughout the storage phase, serving as a shield against dust, scratches, and any potential damage, keeping your seat in pristine condition until you install them again.
Recently purchased a product from us? We'd love to hear about how you got on!
Customer satisfaction is our main goal so we encourage you to share your experience with us on our Trustpilot page.
Tillett Racing Seats look, feel and perform differently from any other seat on the market today. This is thanks to a unique (and closely guarded) manufacturing system which is part craftsmanship, part technical know-how and part materials technology.
From research and design to prototype testing and manufacture by hand - every step of our process is rooted in no-compromise quality.
Get in touch with us via our online contact form or by giving us a ring at 01795 420312.
