Thanks for the input.
It is middle installed with a lap belt, there is no LATCH option there and no ratcheting involved.
It is as tight of an install as the seats in my vehicle, probably 1/4 to 1/2 inch movement at the belt path.
This is the protector I have. I didn't look at its thinness, and don't have it with me right now.
http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-27301-Auto-Seat-Protector/dp/images/B0001EM8I2
If I didn't have 3 car seats installed tight in my vehicle I'd take pictures of the destroyed vehicle seats to show what the proper installation of a Snugride and Recaro have done to them in 2 years. They were like new before b/c we rarely used the back seat til DD arrived. Now they are pretty bad!
None of it has to do with eating in the car, totally from the base of the seats and the seats being pried up/down to access the LATCH anchors which I believe do not stick out way enough, you had to "go fish" to find them before the seats molded from the LATCH connectors pressure over months and months.
The back of the seats are dirty from shoes while RF, but I know that's my fault for not removing shoes and I could put a towel up there and/or attempt to clean it, but since the bottom of the seats are ruined I'm not caring any more about my vehicle seats appearance and letting that go.
However, this installation in question is on a newer, much nicer vehicle, that does not belong to me, hence my desire to attempt protection if they are safe. I agree with the poster who talked about the Scenera having some sharp molding on it, I actually cut myself on one hand with a lower corner, and then on another hand with the cardboard from the package, lol.