by dug320 » Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:23 pm
I don't do it professionally just done a lot. My apologies for the length of the posting.
Take your time. It is not rocket science. You are trying to duplicate what was there in cloth not re-create in leather. There is a fair amount of give in the leather.
If you want heated seats this is a good time to install them. I have them and love'em.
Pull the back seat first. If there are side bolsters (can't remember if this car has them) the leather is attached with 1/4 staples.
Basically it is a pull off and put on.
To do the front seats remove from the car the passenger seat first and remove the seat portion (four bolts underneath). Pull the head rest. The headrest will be tough to recover as it takes a bit of force and a bit of silicone spray on the foam to help adjust. Leave the back attached to the frame. Cut the three hog clips on the bottom for the back and pull the cloth cover up and off. Remove the metal rod from the old cover and put in the new. Reverse the order for the leather install.
For the seat portion cut the hog clips underneath (I think there are three at the back and two or three for each side). At the front are bendable clips and pry them up to pull the covers. Pull up the sides of the cover off the frame to expose the 6 hog clips attaching the cover to the seat. It is not easy to do this so be patient. Cut the clips and remove the cover. Notice how the metal rod is oriented in the old cover and put it in the new cover the same way. The hardest part is lining up the spots to put the hog clips back. If the new leather covers are used, use the spots from old holes. If they are new it will be a little harder. There are two ways to line up the holes. One is to duplicate the holes from the cloth by lining up the old cover holes with the new (easy) and marking the location. The other (more professional, but who cares it will be hidden if you make a mistake) is to line up the rods in the cover in the slot in the foam and attach. Either way start on one side at either the front or back and then do the middle then the last. Do the other side in an order that works for you. It is kind of awkward so be patient. Once you get the 6 inside done you can pull the cover over the frame re-attach the rest. Notice the flaps on the corners, you do have to pull them kind of tight to get them into position. Remember you are duplicating what was in cloth so don't invent or innovate.
The drivers seat is similar. The biggest challenge is the lumbar support (if you seat has the feature, it is the lever on the right of the seat) and the power switches, again if your seat has the feature). If not then it is the same procedure as the passenger.
If your seat has the features, check to see if the leather covers already have the cuts made for the features. If they have the cuts it is simple, if not then you will need a very sharp utility knife. You can simply duplicate the holes using the cloth cuts as a template or put the covers on and then cut holes at the spots need. The seat cut for the power seat is a straight forward x. The lumbar cut is simple but take your time, it is easy to put it in the wrong spot or make it too large. The hole should be a simple x or use a leather punch.
Sometimes the covers do not have the holes for the head rests. If not, install the covers. On the top of the seat feel for the holes for headrest and with a very sharp utility knife cut a small x at each hole.
I hope this works for you. If I have forgotten anything please ask.
Remember you are duplicating what was in cloth so don't invent or innovate.
