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!

 

Can you tell me the color you installed? Looks nice.

 

Yes for like carpet I'd probably take my carpet out and try to cut it and form it obviously out of the car and then install it lightly trim any edges and hog ringing upholstery onto seat frames is not fun especially without the proper tools hog ring pliers and all that I think they are moving away from that in some of these Toyota cars.

 

I can't wait to hear about the experience when you do the door panels this is obviously a generation 3 are your door panel armrest center panel pieces not popping loose from the plastic wells already Lean your arm on one of the armrests in the doors and look at the panel edges as you lean on it lightly with your arm That's not repairable any kind of easily anyway I've tried numerous glues I've tried to plastic weld it etc breaks immediately or very quickly I don't think in the generation 3 lineup in any country they made all plastic one piece door panels like they do for police cars and police back seats and older Corollas You could get door panels that were completely plastic they just had a softer armrest clipped into place to the solid plastic panel that was the door panel No fancy two tones no padded center section to be plastic welded in place for it to break every generation 3 I look at the door panels the armrest section of the door panel is completely popping loose even some of the V's. I mean I could buy new ones I think they're about 250 a piece certainly doesn't seem worth it for the car.

 

The guy I bought my set from has another up for sale now. About half off and I think he's open to offers:

For Toyota Prius V Wagon 2012-2017 Tan Interior Leather Seat Covers pt17 | eBay

 

I just saw a complete set of V grey softech seats including the rear seat I think with the child seat built in it and all that nonsense not a scratch on them either I'll have to ask the guy at LKQ next time I'm out there if they're still there some idiot will probably put a cigarette out on them just because that's what people do but they didn't have a scratch on them It was unbelievable If I would have known they would fit in a generation too I would have taken the two front seats but I didn't want to be stuck with them I can't imagine what they'll cost but they were clean very clean and I would imagine they would be a lot cheaper than buying these skins of course finding seats in this kind of condition is I don't think really normal this car was in really good shape it got smacked in the front end now mind you parts that were being taken off the car were being piled in the trunk so they've ruined the trunk carpet and all of that stuff piling wheels and exhaust pieces and nonsense this is how they do things and the seats were starting to have plastic pieces from the dash and whatnot being said on them instead of set on the floor.