Bartlett Corporation Leather on Ebay - $150!

[prius2go]

Originally Posted by sl7vk

Well, I'm of the opinion that the back seats are harder than the front. I've attached some pics. The first is of the dicey situation where you have to cut the leather to fit the shoulder belt restraint, and the seat fold down lever...... Yuck! The others are of the seats I just finished.

They haven't had the opportunity to "bake" out in the sun yet...

The reason for starting with the back seats is
a) you can still drive the car while working out what to do
b) It's good practice
c) If you dont get it quite right it's less noticable than the fronts
d) after doing 200 hog rings/tie wraps you'll be relieved when doing the fronts.

You do have to work out a plan of attack. When reassembling-the inner most hog wrings tie wraps first.
For removal the original covers I didnt cut all the old hog rings. I unbent one end of the wire rod going through them then pulled the rod out from the other end. You can then decide whether to unbend all the old hog rings or leave them.

There are loads of sharp metal edges - be very careful!
The back of the rear seats is bad but you dont really have to get your fingers near them
The front seats -you have to rotate the leather around the front edge which is just waiting to slice your hand off.
Managed it ok - but be very aware.

All the covers need cutting of the leather for inserting the headrest holders. Do this after youre sure you have the cover correctly in place and feel along the top edge for the hole in the seat back. Make a small hole first, you can feel through that with a small electrical screwdriver. Then carefully cut an X in the leather to the corners of the seat hole. The headrest holders can go in the wrong way & the headrests wont lock!

[jeteyenite]

I've done the rear seat and found 2 problems. One was already discussed here... the extra wire... I chose not to use the extra wire but use the plastric that was on the leather. Another problem I found was that there weren't any holes for the 2 hooks that are used to connect to the vehicle body. It wasn't bad... Just had to cut 2 places and let the hooks thru...

[Boo]

prius2go,

Wow, your tips are invaluable, e.g.,

-- Front Seat Side: Finding and removing that little front seat screw so that you don't break that one-way screw/clip.

-- Carpet Clips: Your explanation of how upholsterers remove those molly type carpet screws with something akin to a BBQ fork to go in beneath the head to squeeze the screw's prongs; and your suggestion of using a knife instead to squeeze one side of the screw's prongs.

-- Headrest Holder Holes: Fit the leather first, then carefully cut an X (not a big hole) ....

The infrequent times I work on my car, I always find that I spend at least an equal amount of time trying to figure out those types of things, especially all the plastic screws, clips, tabs, etc. on the car, as I spend doing the real work.

[sl7vk]

Anyone tackled the fabric that is to the side of the two rear seats?

I'm scratching my head a little bit on how to attack these........

[tredstone]

Does anyone know how this leather compares with an OEM Prius leather seats? Just curious if anyone has had the opportunity to see/feel both to make a comparison.

[usbseawolf2000]

Here are pics I took during the day (Saturday work) and the driver's seat (took 5 hours).

I get to enjoy the leather seats starting from tomorrow!

[Boo]

Congrats usbseawolf. Looking good!

Suggestions:

1. Go back to the PriusHoods black leather center console cover?

2. Consider getting black rubber or carpet mats like on the 2010 Prius Misty Gray interior?

[sl7vk]

Originally Posted by sl7vk

Anyone tackled the fabric that is to the side of the two rear seats?

I'm scratching my head a little bit on how to attack these........

Never mind, I figured it out....

Between a mad scramble to get this car done so that I can drive to work tomorrow, and getting a mothers day gift for my wife.... I made it!

Only thing left is the door arm rests. I think that'll be for next weekend!

What a ton of work. Whatever it is that they charge for this type of god awful work.... It's too little....

[sl7vk]

Late night photo (pardon the flash) of the fabric section that is below the vent redone...l

For those that have done, or are doing this.... I feel like I'm part of a blood order with you.... I think we've all seen things, and done things, we'd rather forget during this ordeal...... Only time will tell if it was worth it!

[Boo]

Congrats sl7vk!