have a 1988 Formula with the light gray cloth/velour, drivers could use a cleaning but i have been warned by a few detail shops that it could go wrong
and lose it's original appearance, car show attendees have suggested trying the over the counter products, I don't want to damage the seat, any suggestions? thanks

 

Bucket of warm water and a small Shop Vac:

Soak the seat, use the Shop Vac to suck the excess water from the fabric ( slow passes ) then allow to mostly "dry". ( warm dry day, doors open in car for a while. )
Once the seat is mostly dry you will see what areas need special attention / cleaning agents.


Bucket of warm water / hand-sized white cotton rag / bottle of Castrol SUPERCLEAN / large white cotton towel / small Shop Vac:

Soak the seat, use the hand sized cotton rag to wipe all areas of the seat. Once done soaking the seat spray SUPERCLEAN on wet rag and wipe those areas that need special attention. (Don't be surprised by how dirty the white rag gets.) If possible,... use a hose to clean the rag - or just clean and re-soak with clean water from the bucket. Wipe areas again with just water on the rag & repeat until rag no longer picks up any dirt/crud. Use Shop Vac to suck the excess water from the fabric, use the large white cotton towel to wipe the seat fabric dry,...... allow to fully dry ( warm dry day, doors open in car for a couple hours. )

Take a little time,.... Works VERY good at cleaning an old fabric seat. Have used this method countless times and have never seen SUPERCLEAN pull the color from a factory Thirdgen seat.

 

thanks I will try this method, have a great 4th

 

I use an extractor like this
I've found a ton of uses for it around the house especially with young kids or pets

 

Agree here. I used the same extractor to clean my whole interior, seats carpet, door panels. Lots of black water in the recovery tank. Came out great. I used folex as the cleaner (spray on) and a drill brush designed for fabric .
check out pics.

 

I took the seat covers off of my 89 formula 350 and tossed them in the washing machine. Let them air dry and reinstalled them. Came out nice.