I have a few installation tips I wish I knew when I started the job:

Buy or borrow a steamer if you don't have one. You'll need it for multiple reasons. 1. Use it to rejuvenate the foam once the old leather is removed, it is pretty impressive how the foam bounces back into shape. 2. Certain parts of the install are difficult if you can't give the leather a little more stretch from the steam. The headrests particularly are like stuffing 20lbs of manure into a 5lb bag. 3. Post install, the steam helps get out wrinkles etc.

Lseat sews both a foam and stretchy fabric to the back of the leather. I had to redo the first seat I did because the foam and fabric was a problem in certain areas. Basically anywhere the original installation used glue such as the seat back and certain spots on the seat bottom, remove the foam, fabric, and thread from those specific sections. Makes a huge difference in ease and quality of installation.

Think "hog rings last" as you refit the new covers. Do the gluing parts of the install first so you have maximum stretch of the leather getting the seams right and pulled to the edges. Then you can use the leverage of the hog ring pliers to tighten everything up. If you do the hog rings first and try and stretch everything tight while trying to glue it, you'll quickly run of hands.

 

Good tips! How did they come out?
We need pictures!!!

 

 

Thanks so much for posting this timely advice! I’ve been meaning to install my seat covers from Lseat! I don’t have a steamer, but will borrow one for sure!!!

I asked them to diamond stitch the interior section, as you have done too! Not original, but I think it looks nice!

 

Thanks for the picture. They look really good.
I've been talking to them and there seem to be some confusion as to the difference (if any) between the convertible and the coupe seats (I have a coupe)
How long did the whole process take you?
I'm debating over DIY or farm it out.

 

One other tip for you since you went with the same stitching. I decided to put the headrest covers on "backward" from the original. The piping is on the front edge from the factory, but I thought it looked better to have the stitching on the front to better match the rest of the seat.

 

Why not just replace the foam? No amount of steaming was going too bring mine back and I think it was $10.

 

It took the better part of a Saturday and part of Sunday, but that is because I ended up re-doing the driver's seat because I wasn't happy with the result. IF I knew the tips mentioned above BEFORE I started, it would have been an easy single day for the two front seats.

Cheers

 

If it needs replacing, then no steam isn't going to help. However, if the foam is in good nick, the steam is a neat trick.

 

Let me add a couple of other tips to this.

The leather from Lseat isn't the same quality as the factory, particularly the cars that came with Autolux leather (not at all surprising given the low price). It has a 'rough' hand and it isn't as supple. I experimented with several leather products to see if I could improve the feel and suppleness. None seemed to do much to improve it until I found that I had some Leatherique Rejuvenating Oil left over from a furniture project I did over 10 years ago. I did their trick of covering the seats with black plastic bags and left them in the sun. It did make a difference, not huge, but a noticeable improvement. I would recommend doing the Leatherique treatment *before* you install the covers, you'll have more give to the leather and it should make install easier.

If I had to do over, I would add some foam to the middle section of the seat and back. I think it would look a bit better and give a little extra comfort. If I have a free weekend (unlikely anytime soon) I will redo with the additional foam.

Cheers

 

Thanks for the tips.
Is there a guide to doing the seat backs available anywhere? I have 2 new covers for the seat backs only

 

Not sure if it was mentioned but zip ties are a possible alternative to the knuckle bust'n hog tie. Also, with zips, one can leave everything loose, then you can go back and pull them all tight and snip them once you are sure you have everything where it needs to be. Saved me a huge amount of time and energy... Jus say'n