Katzkins - DIY - I don't think so...

rrolff · 10-07-2009, 09:40 PM

I guess I am somewhat handy - so I thought...

Bought the Katzkins - bought the hog clips (tru-value, ace hardware), and the hog clipper... Removed a front seat, followed the Toyota description on dis-assembly, got a few screws out, started to pull it apart, and STOPPED....

Happily.

I called around looking for someone to install it, got crazy quotes, then found an old thread which mentioned a place in So cal :: COACH AUTOMOTIVE RESTYLING CONTACT INFO :: PORTLAND RESTYLERS :: NORCAL RESTYLERS :: LOS ANGELES RESTYLERS :: KANSAS CITY RESTYLERS :: UNION CITY COACH AUTO :: PORTLAND COACH AUTO :: ORANGE COACH AUTO :: UNION CITY COACH AUTO :: KANSAS CITY COACH . They are also in No cal, LA, Portland, and ?). I called, explained my predicament - I pulled the seat thinking I could do.......... They got me in same day, and in hours, my covers were installed (while I watched).

It seems (from watching), you can dis-assemble the complete interior in 30 min. It also seems seats can be recovered quickly - some of them....... I believe, front seats are really not easy (HARD). Rear are a bit easier, but the door panels, and center console are much more time consuming... I was sooooooo glad I did not undertake this mod!!!!!!!!!!!!! Got to see the cheap door speakers, and the back vent et al...

The interior panels is I think the hardest to get right - just from watching the process by someone who dies it daily...

All said and done, find a real spot who works with Katzkins. Clearly, this spot knew the 2010 (and other cars). They had like 40 Katz boxes waiting, and were doing 4 dealer cars while I was there (Nissan)...

OABTW - hog clipping - there are power tools for clipping multiple times - another reason not to do this yourself............

AOBTW2: I read a post about after market leather smell - I had this! If you watch the process you will know why. It has nothing to do with the leather. They run power glue spray guns to apply all the non-seat interior stuff - and there is lots of it... all that stuff has what looks like rubber cement as a backing - hence the smell.. I went to Target, bought a car "tree" smelly thing, and it smells tooooo much... I'm sure that smell goes away (as dealers use it), but it is a smell....

I'll post pics when I can...

antiflash · 10-07-2009, 10:55 PM

sweet...thanks for the info. how much did they tax you for the install and for the covers?

rrolff · 10-08-2009, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antiflash

sweet...thanks for the info. how much did they tax you for the install and for the covers?

Probably 90+% of their work is dealer, and they were great. I won't quote my cost - but I found it very reasonable - in a separate thread, I mentioned currently you can get Katz on line with a $290 leather upgrade ( the Tuscany - for what it's worth)... Can't tell the difference - but I'm guessing it's probably better leather... I am a very happy camper, and would be on a Britney hold had I attempted it... I also love the fact that you can see how to get into all the spots with techniques (door panels - remove light, and window switch panel before pulling the whole panel - to keep from pulling/damaging wires).

If they are slow, you can wait and watch as the thing happens - quite amazing!

They did damage a plastic thingy that holds the rear seat down - he explained it, and I was happy to go to the dealer, and get a new one ($3.96 including tax - but a 3 day wait).

PriusLewis · 10-08-2009, 11:43 AM

It is certainly possible for someone with considerable experience to do it at home. However, it is not for the casual or new installer. I did my own Bartlett leather, and am glad I did (it guaranteed no broken parts, but to do so is S-L-O-W). After quite a few hundred hog rings by hand, I was glad for getting the better plier, but it's still manual. My hand took a week to recover, LOL.

rrolff · 10-08-2009, 04:15 PM

Here are a few pics - love the leather, and am *very* happy I did not go perforated (these feel similar to our Lexus)... I'm also glad to get rid of a bit more "misty gray (almost white)"... Altogether, there are 7 trim treatments in addition to the seats...

radioprius1 · 10-08-2009, 06:33 PM

The colors look neat man, a nice combination of light and dark grays. Looks classy.

leeb18c · 10-08-2009, 07:44 PM

That's beautiful color combo. What exactly is the leather color called? Thanks.

GNV Prius · 10-09-2009, 02:42 AM

Thanks for posting the pics rrolff. I've been thinking about upgrading to leather and was wondering how a darker gray would look with the misty gray interior. It looks great.

rrolff · 10-09-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeb18c

That's beautiful color combo. What exactly is the leather color called? Thanks.

The color is "Flannel", and from the upgraded "Tuscany" line (They are doing free upgrades right now). In standard leather, it would be "Lt Gray".

They now have a "Frost" color that matches the misty fabric - I'm very glad I went dark... I think "Misty gray", as it stands, is a MIST{Y}AKE... The cloth interior is such cheap material, and the color shows stains way too easily...

If you are going to upgrade, be *sure* to buy the $10 (delivered) Katzkin color guides - it's refundable on purchase - who knows - you may end up choosing the "everglades alligator stuff"

TTFN!

tredstone · 10-09-2009, 10:52 AM

Do they add leather to the steering wheel too?

10-07-2009, 09:40 PM	#1
rrolff Prius Surgeon Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 539 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 34 Thanked 100 Times in 58 Posts Friends: 0	Katzkins - DIY - I don't think so... I guess I am somewhat handy - so I thought... Bought the Katzkins - bought the hog clips (tru-value, ace hardware), and the hog clipper... Removed a front seat, followed the Toyota description on dis-assembly, got a few screws out, started to pull it apart, and STOPPED.... Happily. I called around looking for someone to install it, got crazy quotes, then found an old thread which mentioned a place in So cal :: COACH AUTOMOTIVE RESTYLING CONTACT INFO :: PORTLAND RESTYLERS :: NORCAL RESTYLERS :: LOS ANGELES RESTYLERS :: KANSAS CITY RESTYLERS :: UNION CITY COACH AUTO :: PORTLAND COACH AUTO :: ORANGE COACH AUTO :: UNION CITY COACH AUTO :: KANSAS CITY COACH . They are also in No cal, LA, Portland, and ?). I called, explained my predicament - I pulled the seat thinking I could do.......... They got me in same day, and in hours, my covers were installed (while I watched). It seems (from watching), you can dis-assemble the complete interior in 30 min. It also seems seats can be recovered quickly - some of them....... I believe, front seats are really not easy (HARD). Rear are a bit easier, but the door panels, and center console are much more time consuming... I was sooooooo glad I did not undertake this mod!!!!!!!!!!!!! Got to see the cheap door speakers, and the back vent et al... The interior panels is I think the hardest to get right - just from watching the process by someone who dies it daily... All said and done, find a real spot who works with Katzkins. Clearly, this spot knew the 2010 (and other cars). They had like 40 Katz boxes waiting, and were doing 4 dealer cars while I was there (Nissan)... OABTW - hog clipping - there are power tools for clipping multiple times - another reason not to do this yourself............ AOBTW2: I read a post about after market leather smell - I had this! If you watch the process you will know why. It has nothing to do with the leather. They run power glue spray guns to apply all the non-seat interior stuff - and there is lots of it... all that stuff has what looks like rubber cement as a backing - hence the smell.. I went to Target, bought a car "tree" smelly thing, and it smells tooooo much... I'm sure that smell goes away (as dealers use it), but it is a smell.... I'll post pics when I can...

10-07-2009, 10:55 PM	#2
antiflash Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Port Hueneme, CA Posts: 85 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Navigation Thanks: 16 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Katzkins - DIY - I don't think so... sweet...thanks for the info. how much did they tax you for the install and for the covers?

10-08-2009, 11:43 AM	#4
PriusLewis Management Scientist Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Denver Metro Posts: 655 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 91 Thanked 43 Times in 36 Posts Friends: 5	Re: Katzkins - DIY - I don't think so... It is certainly possible for someone with considerable experience to do it at home. However, it is not for the casual or new installer. I did my own Bartlett leather, and am glad I did (it guaranteed no broken parts, but to do so is S-L-O-W). After quite a few hundred hog rings by hand, I was glad for getting the better plier, but it's still manual. My hand took a week to recover, LOL.

10-08-2009, 04:15 PM	#5
rrolff Prius Surgeon Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 539 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 34 Thanked 100 Times in 58 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Katzkins - DIY - I don't think so... Here are a few pics - love the leather, and am very happy I did not go perforated (these feel similar to our Lexus)... I'm also glad to get rid of a bit more "misty gray (almost white)"... Altogether, there are 7 trim treatments in addition to the seats... Attached Thumbnails

10-08-2009, 06:33 PM	#6
radioprius1 Dr Curious Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 485 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: No Package Thanks: 137 Thanked 48 Times in 36 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Katzkins - DIY - I don't think so... The colors look neat man, a nice combination of light and dark grays. Looks classy.

10-08-2009, 07:44 PM	#7
leeb18c Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 34 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: #2 Thanks: 8 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Katzkins - DIY - I don't think so... That's beautiful color combo. What exactly is the leather color called? Thanks.

10-09-2009, 02:42 AM	#8
GNV Prius Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 5 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: No Package Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Katzkins - DIY - I don't think so... Thanks for posting the pics rrolff. I've been thinking about upgrading to leather and was wondering how a darker gray would look with the misty gray interior. It looks great.

10-09-2009, 10:52 AM	#10
tredstone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 102 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 73 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Katzkins - DIY - I don't think so... Do they add leather to the steering wheel too?

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