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Katzkin Leather Install

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by clayfree, Mar 4, 2012.

  1. clayfree

    clayfree Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2008
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    Location:
    Frisco, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I wanted to report back my experience in deciding to install a leather interior.

    I own a 2008 level 5, but this time around I decided to buy a level 2 and then add a radio/nav and a leather interior myself. The goal being to get the most car for the least amount of money. I bought a Blizzard Pearl with a Mist Grey interior. I really love the light and dark contrast of the Misty Grey.

    I looked at all options through stores & ebay. I seriously considered Clazzio. Their product looks great and seems much easier to install. In the end I decided to go full install and found the exact color match from Katzkin which they call Frost.

    The package arrived and here's what you get, a box full of leather(and vinyl). The seats are really well made and once you go through a full install you realize how complex these are.

    [​IMG]

    Taking the seats out was not difficult. There was plenty of good info here a PriusChat and I read as much as I could. There are also some great YouTube videos on installing Katzkin and after watching them I felt much more confident. Here's what the interior looked like without the seats:

    [​IMG]

    A big part of the job was stripping the seats down. That's when you learn in exactly what order they come apart. You will just reverse that order to put the new covers on. Most of yhe attachments are hog rings.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The covers took me two VERY FULL days. Just as I expected I was very slow at first and by the final seat I had really picked up the pace. My hands were really sore from the pulling. You want them to be nice and tight and that means they are challenging to get on. I developed a system where I would heat them up and they were easier to manage.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The set came with matching door panels and console cover but they were in Frost and I really wanted the contrast so I ordered a yard of Dark Graphite. It was just enough to get all the pieces I needed.

    [​IMG]

    I'm particularly proud of the console cover. The Katzkin supplied cover was stitched in a box shape to fit the console lid. All I had in the dark graphite was a flat piece. With the right amount of glue and pulling I was able to flex the vinyl enough to form around the corners.

    [​IMG]

    You don't need to be an expert to install one of these but it is a lot of work. Midway through the Clazzios sounded really good :). All in all I couldn't be happier. The leather feels great and I got the contrastg I wanted. Total cost was around $725
     
    #1 clayfree, Mar 4, 2012
    4 people like this.
  2. HaveNoCents

    HaveNoCents Conservative Tree Hugger

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2011
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    Location:
    Crystal Beach, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Great job. I definitely could not have done it. I'm seriously considering getting it done though. You have a whole lot more patience than I do.


    iPad ?
     
    #2 HaveNoCents, Mar 4, 2012
  3. Caydoc

    Caydoc Junior Member

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    Savannah, GA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Too much for me! I just bought a 2012 and, at end of price negotiation, offered to accept their deal IF they would add leather Katzkin interior for $700...they took it and I'm picking it up today.
     
    #3 Caydoc, Mar 5, 2012
  4. jsmithy

    jsmithy Hypermiler and Freedom Lover

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Adding the leather Katzkin interior is not difficult, but is time consuming. A set of mini bolt cutters to cut hog rings makes all the difference. Oh...and wear leather gloves or your fingers will pay.
     
    #4 jsmithy, Mar 5, 2012
  5. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    Thanks for the review ... and nice job!
     
    #5 yeldogt, Mar 5, 2012
  6. clayfree

    clayfree Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Frisco, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    That's a good deal!
     
    #6 clayfree, Mar 5, 2012
  7. TheAaron

    TheAaron Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Dallas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Maybe I should drive up to Frisco with a 6 pack in hand to get you to help me with my install if I go Katzkin. Picking up the Prius tomorrow. Katzkin is the first mod on my list
     
    #7 TheAaron, Apr 16, 2012
  8. cap160

    cap160 Older Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2011
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    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Very nice install, great seams.:thumb::thumb::thumb:
     
    #8 cap160, Apr 16, 2012
  9. SoCalBPrius

    SoCalBPrius Active Member

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    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    II
    If u haven't finalized the deal, do what others have done & try to negotiate the price w/ Katzkin installed. Even if u have negotiated but haven't signed the final document it's worth a try;). G/L, & I wish I had done this:).
     
    #9 SoCalBPrius, Apr 16, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  10. SoCalBPrius

    SoCalBPrius Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
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    BTW, very nice job clayfree:). I wish I had the endurance & knowhow to tackle this job head-on but when I hear "not difficult" & "you don't have to be an expert" to describe the install, past experience has told me it's all relative upon your skill level(mine not being too high:deadhorse:. :D
     
    #10 SoCalBPrius, Apr 16, 2012
  11. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    Long Beach, CA
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    2013 Prius
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    Three
    Looks great. I plan to do this sometime in the future. Do you think I can pm you for tips or suggestions? I was watching youtube videos on how to install, and there were actually a lot of tools involved.
     
    #11 p00kienrayray, Apr 17, 2012
  12. JayLn

    JayLn Active Member

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    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Where are the photos?
     
    #12 JayLn, Aug 23, 2015
    Rover1893 likes this.
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