How to replace your car leather seats

Leather car interiors can become worn and eventually will need replacing. However, did you know that you can replace your old leather seats with new ones yourself? There is no need to go to a specialist car interior shop, you will not only save money but, if you take your time, you can have your car interior looking as good as new in a few hours.
[Please note, we take no responsibility for any damage that may occur].

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench
• Ratchet
• Extension
• Socket
• Screwdriver
• Hog rings and pliers
• Hog-ring cutters/Tin Snips
• Scissors
• 3M upholstery glue
• Heat gun or hair dryer
• Leather cleaner
• Rubber hand squeegee

STEP 1: REMOVE THE SEATS

1. Use the wrench to remove the bolts from the front seats. Carefully push back each seat to check for electrical wiring. Disconnect any electrical connections from underneath the seat. Put the bolts in a safe place, as you will need them to reinstall the seats.
2. Take the cushion off the back seat. Locate the two screws securing the front part of the cushion to the carpet. Remove the screws using the screwdriver, take the cushion off, put it in a safe place.
3. Use the wrench to unfasten the bolts from the armrest. Push the seat back and up to detach it from the car. Put all the components in a safe place.

STEP 2: REMOVE THE LEATHER

1. Take the plastic trim from the front seat cushion. Turn the seat so, it is facing upwards. Use the wrench to unfasten the four bolts securing the cushion to the frame. Locate the J hooks, these are the plastic pieces that are attached to the outside frame of the seat. You should see the seam of the leather inserts. Carefully pull the Velcro away from the foam.

2. Take the headrest off by, applying pressure to the button on the side of the headrest bar, and pulling upwards. Turn the seat upside down. Locate the J-hook, use the scissors to cut the hog rings, if the seat has a zip unzip it. Pull the leather up, take off the hog rings and pull up the leather further. Bring the cover up and over the seat and it should easily come off now.

3. Take the backseat cushion off, turn the backseat upside down, find hog rings and J-hooks and remove them, by cutting them. You can now take the cover off the seat.

STEP 3: REPLACE THE LEATHER

1. Put the new leather on the front seat cushions by pulling the leather through the hog rings. Use the same foam seat cushions, put the plastic parts of the chair back in their rightful places. Use the scissors to cut holes for the headrests.

2. Use the scissors to make tiny slits where the headrest posts will go. Push the leather under the headrest posts to hide the excess.
3. Reinstall the backseat cushions by wrapping the cover round the foam neatly, Hog-ring the outside of the cushion and tuck excess leather into the attachment points.

Hey presto, your seats should look as good as new!

IF THAT IS TOO MUCH HARD WORK, THEN CALL THE PROFESSIONALS.
CALL JOE WOODHOUSE - SCUFFS 'N' SCRATCHES LIMITED IN LIVERPOOL TO DISCUSS YOUR INTERIOR CAR LEATHER UPHOLSTERY REPAIRS

0151 493 2600   OR      07802 348096        OR VISIT www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

(JUST OFF GREAT HOWARD STREET, BY THE HERITAGE MARKET)

FOR HONEST, RELIABLE & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE SINCE 1996