I removed it by drilling out the rivets. I traced the old pad and had a piece of 1/8” birch plywood laser cut to replace it.
I tried to stain it which was sort of a disaster and then drilled and riveted it to the cover. We are happy enough with the result and as the wife keeps telling me to remember “it’s just a toilet”!
I can send you the .svg file if you want to try and do the same for your funky padded cover. I’m sure you could also get it engraved with your own personal statement
