Katzkin seat cover install

So these are skins that are pre-cut and pre-made to your car they're like slipcovers but they still have to hog ring on Is this correct? I'll have to go look at this brand. And my 2013 I don't think there's any hog rings I think everybody everything slips on and zips The zippers could be replaced with reinforced holes for hog rings and the wire strip that goes under the hog ring holes but I don't know why some company would revert back to that and eliminate the zippers. I have done it the hog ring way before right at the upholstery shop that does all the classic cars The guy there showed me how all this worked I had an idea I had a seat out I wanted to do what you were doing did it this is in like 75 Corolla cheap junk. And then a few years later I did a an Infinity or something and they were zip on not leather more like Toyota softex today.. I find it interesting that the aftermarket company would go back to the hog rings or maybe the 12th still had hog rings because you said you had to cut them I don't think my 13 has that now I'm curious to go out and look.. I've also done a few couches That's another whole story That's generally a slipcover affair some chairs like easy chairs will have some hog rings especially on the heavy fake pleather units

 

It looks like the 13s zip off I swear to God I mean I have to pull them out to take a look but a lot of the newer ones are like this from what I can tell even the new cheap seats that are coming out of China Asia wherever the seat part is slid over just like it was going to have hog rings on it except it zips on which to me seems like a less secure fit so the hog rings and the wire would be a okay with me like my old super seats with all the bolsters and the air bladders for lumbar support and all that mess they weren't really that bad but it does take the time you're speaking of if you're not used to using hog rings and doing a little upholstery that is a fact It is somewhat labor intensive.

 

@Led thanks for posting. I was thinking about doing this too - did you get full leather? I don't dislike the softex seats and mine are holding up well, but I can't stop thinking about upgrading to real leather

 

Follow up here - thank you again for the break down and description.

My original seats were in great shape, but it bothers me to sit on so much plastic. Found a steal on a new set on eBay and just as I was researching how to do it, saw this again and decided to call around until I found a good price on an install. Happening as we speak.

The one thing that's crazy how much it cost everywhere to have the panels in the door replaced. I need my front two replaced at minimum but will wait until later. Did you do the doors and the armrest (they came with my kit) or just the seats?

 

Just got mine back yesterday. A few wrinkles, but they'll work their way out in the sun soon enough. Was impressed that the kit not only came with the door panels but also leather (real leather) for the armrest, so had that done - big improvement over the stock armrest, which I had replaced this past year but was looking aged very fast. Going to save up a couple months and go back to have the door panels swapped when I get the carpet tray replaced.

 

Just got mine back yesterday. A few wrinkles, but they'll work their way out in the sun soon enough. Was impressed that the kit not only came with the door panels but also leather (real leather) for the armrest, so had that done - big improvement over the stock armrest, which I had replaced this past year but was looking aged very fast. Going to save up a couple months and go back to have the door panels swapped when I get the carpet tray replaced.

 

Just got mine back yesterday. A few wrinkles, but they'll work their way out in the sun soon enough. Was impressed that the kit not only came with the door panels but also leather (real leather) for the armrest, so had that done - big improvement over the stock armrest, which I had replaced this past year but was looking aged very fast. Going to save up a couple months and go back to have the door panels swapped when I get the carpet tray replaced.

*edit - trying to upload photo(s) but they don't post upon save, will try again later

 

Over the years, I've reskinned a few motorcycle saddles so when I found a super cheap set of leather skins on ebay for my Camry 5 spd about 15 years ago, I decided to put my fairly high DIY skills to test. Never again.* This process was brutal to my hands and wrists. I also put in new aftermarket premium (heavy) carpet further compounding my pain.



*If there is ever a next time, I'll remove the items to save a lot of labor charges and take them to a good shop.

 

Just realizing the multiple posts/saves from when I tried to include photos earlier. Would delete, but not able to. Looks like site is working again now, so here's some photos. Really pleased w/ how they turned out and that the kit included real leather for the armrest. Going to try to do the doors myself bc it costs as much to install the panel for a door as doing an entire seat

 

Looks amazing! Very happy for you and rather jealous! Thanks for the photos!