Why Hog Rings?

I will be replacing the seat covers in my Tacoma. I know that the seat covers are anchored in several places with "hog rings." Why "hog rings?" Why not simply use zip-ties for connecting the seat cover anchors? I don't have any hog rings, I don't have the tool, and I can't see any advantage of using them over zip-ties. Can anyone here enlighten me?

 

Hog rings are quicker and cheaper than zip ties and won't dry rot.

$16 WORKPRO Hog Ring Pliers with 500 Pcs 3/4" Hog Rings, Galvanized Steel Hog Rings Perfect for Furniture Upholstery, Auto Upholstery, Plastic Meat & Sausage Casings

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R9RK8D1

 

OK, but what about stainless steel zip ties (I have them too).





I am only doing 2 seats, so the fact that I may be able to save a minute per ring is not that important to me. I would prefer not to have to buy another tool that I'll never use again. A pack of 25 is 1/3 the price of buying the Amazon kit.

 

I zip tied my seats.. if fact the directions say to use zip ties..

 

You know you can buy hog rings and pliers on Amazon for like $15 as a set right? My uncle owned an upholstery shop my whole life. Hog rings are simple, I would use the correct thing but you do you. I am sure if zip ties were a wiser choice everyone would be using them. I suspect the zip tie will wear harder on the fabric also. The hog ring punches a hole but then it is round and does not continue to wear that area with repeated load.
I guess David Freiburger has purchased a Tacoma!

 

This is what AI has to say about it:
Hog rings are generally preferred over zip ties in applications requiring a more robust and durable connection, especially in demanding environments. Hog rings offer superior strength, resistance to wear, and a more secure, long-lasting hold, making them suitable for tasks like fencing, upholstery, and securing heavy materials. While zip ties are convenient for quick, temporary fixes, hog rings provide a more permanent and reliable solution.
Here's a more detailed comparison:
Hog Rings:

• Strength and Durability:
  Hog rings, when crimped with pliers, create a tight and secure bond that can withstand significant stress and pressure. This makes them ideal for heavy-duty applications where other fasteners might fail.
• Long-lasting:
  Hog rings are known for their strength and resistance to wear, making them a good choice for tasks requiring robust and long-lasting connections.
• Secure Fit:
  Hog rings provide a tight grip, preventing materials from shifting or moving, which is crucial for upholstery or securing fabric.
• Applications:
  Hog rings are used in various applications, including fencing, upholstery, and securing sausage casings.
• Weather and UV Resistance:
  Hog rings can be made from materials that offer good weather and UV resistance, making them suitable for outdoor use.
• Installation:
  Hog rings can be installed quickly and efficiently using specialized pliers.

Zip Ties:

• Convenience:
  Zip ties are easy to use and offer a quick and simple way to bind or bundle items.
• Versatility:
  Zip ties come in various sizes and materials, making them versatile for a range of applications.
• Not as Durable:
  While convenient, zip ties can degrade over time, especially when exposed to sunlight or extreme temperatures, leading to potential failure.
• Environmental Impact:
  Most zip ties are made from nylon, which is not biodegradable and can contribute to environmental pollution.
• Applications:
  Zip ties are commonly used for bundling wires, securing temporary connections, and organizing cables.

In essence, hog rings are the better choice for applications where strength, durability, and a long-lasting connection are critical, while zip ties are more suitable for quick, temporary fixes or situations where ease of use is prioritized.

 

And not for nothing.. but removing them hog ties was suck a pita. I'm getting nightmares just thinking about how hard they were.. my hands hurt for a week afterwards... granted. Maybe I didn't know the trick on how to remove them of there is one... but holy crap. The zipties were just soo much easier.. and if one breaks, it's way easier to deal with that then them stupid hog rings

 

LOL, dude! To remove them you just take a good pair of side cutters and cut them in the middle.

 

Lol! See.. I dont know... I admit it

 

Hog rings are easy once you get the hang of it. They allow you to pull everything consistent. You snag one end in the fabric with one in the pliers while pulling with your free hand and then you have leverage with the pliers to clip that around where you want to clip it and you just squeeze. Start in the middle and work out so you don't bunch up.

 

I wish I would have talked to you before I did that.. if I remember correctly, I think I had to do this because I added heated seats.. boy, that was horrible. But I'm not an upholster.. glad to have the knowledge for future use tho

 

No worries. Upholstery is tough. Both my uncles and my cousin are amazing. I did all my stuff and worked with them off and on when I was a teenager but I do not have the skillset they have. I am however a foam spray over form headliner expert! lol...

Back in high school I would come to your house, remove your headliner and then take it to my uncles shop and cover them. Trim them out and then I would come back to your house and install the next day. $100 cash. I would collect them on Thursday and Friday afternoon. Cover them Friday night while drinking my uncles beer. Then install on Sat. And the material never cost me a dime. I would do 5-8 a week. It was a good racket for a high school kid. I am sure my uncle lost thousands.

 

Aye! I am definitely old enough to remember sagging head liners.... people would try to spray glue.. I would laugh soo hard.. I did not know you could just spray foam? Thats really cool! And a good gig.. I just spray painted my headliner in my 07 taco and people were like, you should just replace it and whatever.. but they didn't realize mine is carpet material.. no foam... thank God!

 

I've had mine off to replace some of the lower foam, I used zip ties when I put them back together.

 

Thanks for the replies. Based on the info. I am probably going to use stainless zip ties.

 

Zip ties are easy and cheap. Most likely out last the pickup.

if that’s what I have on hand, that’s what gets used…

 

Hog rings just aren't that hard to work with, even without the correct tool. I removed and reinstalled a full set of upholstery in my previous vehicle over the course of two nights, re-using the existing hog rings and just used two pairs of needle nose pliers and a channel lock. Would have been easier to use hog ring pliers but I was on a time crunch for a car show and didn't own a set at the time. While zip ties are quicker and easier to put on when one breaks under the bottom of the seat it's not fun to get access to it.

 

The headliner material back in the day had a 3/16-1/4 inch foam backing. They would sag because the foam would desinagrate and release the material. To redo them you just pull the form out, pull the material off. Clean the remaining foam off with a wire brush and a scrap piece of foam. Grab the new material with the foam backing, cut it a little longer than the form, laying it back exposing half the material and half the backing board. Spray both sides with glue (smells great). Let that tack up for 5-10 min and then you mate the material to the surface and repeat for the other side. Trim it out and you are ready to put it back together. That's what I meant. Super simple but you only get one shot after the glue sets up.

 

I'm sure they will work fine. Best of luck with the project.

 

You do you, but I wouldn't. My fear is that the stainless ties will eventually wear through the fabric because they are so thin and rigid.
On my truck, the retainers in the seat foam are like bamboo skewers, and the retainers in the seat fabric are rigid wires.
Again, your choice, but I wouldn't use the stainless ones. Just my two cents...