Katzkin Leather Project

I will be right there with you. I ordered Katzkin last night. Frost color for my Misty Grey interior. I too will be installing myself. Mine should arrive this week. I did read an earlier thread and someone mentioned the headrest brackets were hard to remove without breaking them so I will see if I can track down the best way to remove them.

Good luck!

 

I'm wondering why more of you installing Katzkin aren't going with a more exotic color like burgundy or blue.

 

Does one have to remove the original cloth seat cover to install the leather? or do you simply install the leather over the cloth?

 

Because we don't have 32k colors.

Katzkin sells a sample set of their colors with a bunch of small leather samples showing their colors and different grades of leather. They give the price of the sample sheet back as credit if you buy. I would strongly recommend buying their sample sheet before selecting a color. They have some brighter colors that would go well with Prii interiors.

 

yes, they remove the cloth.

 

Good Luck and keep us posted as to how the project goes...

Everything I've ever read about Katzkin's is that they are a great product but not really a DIY project.

I think I'd try tackling Clazzio's ( a seat cover) but Katzkins is actually re-upholstering, and without experience I'd be hesitant.

But good luck. If you've got friends with experience, and with the aide of Youtube and perhaps some instinctive luck, perhaps it can be done.

I once was thinking of having an aftermarket Moonroof installed in my Honda Fit and went to the shop that did the work. They let me into their work area. They did Moonroofs and Katzkin installations. I saw a few vehicles in various stages of Katzkin installation. it did not appear to me to be a simple operation. Certainly one I would not want to embark on...

 

I agree with xs650, I ordered the samples from Katzkin just so I could verify the color. The set I bought was Frost color which is supposed to match my Misty Grey interior. Once I had the samples I placed the Frost swatch on my cloth seat and it disappeared. The color was dead on.

I've done one other interior replacement, it was a 67 Mustang and all new vinyl upholstery. I'm sure the Mustang was easier to take apart but it used the same hog rings. Lots of pulling and sore fingers. It was not terribly difficult work just tedious. I plan on taking my time and assume it will take me about 4 times longer than an installer.

I'll try to take and post some photos as I go.

 

We bought Katzkins for our Honda Odyssey and I planned on doing the install myself. The seat base went ok but you needed to cut the leather to fit around seat controls.

I tried the seat back next but just couldn't get it to fit. ?That when I realized this wasn't my forte and it was best to leave it to a pro. Labor price was worth it in my case.

Maybe the Prius will be easier than the Honda. Have fun.

 

aaaand, how did you pay a fraction of the price?

 

I've now done 3 Katzkins in 2010/2011s...

First one, I was going to do it myself - pulled a front seat to get an idea, read some older threads on it, and wisely chose to pay the $ to have it installed (Coach Autostylers - Orange CA). It IS NOT an easy project, and after watching all 3 get done, I would highly recommend not doing it yourself. As was pointed out, the Clazio can be a DIY - this is one of those few times that a few $ will save you LOTS of headache....

As an aside, each time I have chosen the opposite gray (light gray interior gets dark gray leather and vice versa) - the contrast looks nice....

A good installer can do the whole thing in 2 hours (but they work as a team - one guy tearing apart the car, others breaking down the seats, arm rest, door panels etc.

Yes - the old fabric is totally removed from the seats.

One other good idea - while the car is torn apart, you can throw in Dynamat all over the door skins - gives the car a Lexus feel when you close the doors (thud). You can also throw it under the back seats (exposed metal).......

 

Katzkin actually has a large selection of colors, including Ferrari tan and other exotic burgundy and blue colors found only in high end cars. I guess most people aren't willing to pay more to get those colors.

 

If you get the Frost Grey leather for the Misty Grey cloth interior will the door panels and center arm rest also be Frost Grey?

Reason I'm asking is because the doors and armrest on the Misty Grey cloth interiors are a dark grey color.

 

Hey Gambit023,
I have the exact same color combo, light seats and dark door panels. The contrast is why I bought the Misty Grey. I'm waiting for the Katzkins to arrive but for some reason I expect they may have light door panels. My plan was to order a yard of dark grey Katzkin material for $20 from Shopsar. The supplied door panels will let me know if a single yard will be enough for the job. Not sure yet if I'll do a light or dark console cover.

 

Yes, keep us posted on the color. I was thinking of going with the dark grey leather set. This way it'll still be contrasting yet will match the interior door handle plastic which is dark grey.

 

Yes, keep us posted on the color. I was thinking of going with the dark grey leather set. This way it'll still be contrasting yet will match the interior door handle plastic which is dark grey.

 

Just had the Katzkins delivered today. The covers look great! A perfect match for my interior. Indeed the door skins and console cover are light grey. I'm going to order a yard of katzkin in either Graphite or Charcoal(need to see it in the sun). The console cover is stitched so I may stay with the light grey. I definitely want the dark doors so $20 seems like a small price to pay. The contrast is what makes the Misty Grey so nice. I'm abpout a week away from starting on the seats but I'll take lots of photos. I also just had the Otto Navi arrive so that's my first project.

 

Clazzio's can be done in a half day easily, but you might need to make a few adjustments here and there and get some therapy for your fingers after. That said I think the range with Katzkin's is better, and the design/cut of the covers is nicer, but all told I'm happy how it tidied up my Gen II interior.

 

Those look really nice! Also, that's a nice shot from the dash.

 

yeah thanks,
thats one w-i-d-e lens