Changing leather from one seat to other
02-18-2007, 04:40 PM
#1
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Changing leather from one seat to other
I have possibility to swap seat frames including all electric motors etc to my car from '88 S4 which has 12-way + heater on both sides and even more interestingly three position memory for passanger seat also. Mine has 8-way + heater on both sides and drivers memory from the factory. 12-ways have black leather while mine has classic gray. Plan is to keep stock appearance on both sets and thus I would need to swap all leather from one set to other and other way round.
Has anyone done complete leather swap on '85-95 style seat from one used seat to other? How bad job it is? Can leather be taken out without tearing all the seams? As all four seats have long three adjuster cover plate I think this should be straight swap appart from possible problems with leather seams. Or was there change in wiring between these years. There was some changes done to electrics IIRR but I have no idea exactly what it was. Or is it easier just to take out lumbar motors and move them from seat to seat?
Few years from now, plan is to turn these 12-way heated sports + memory on both sides at same time when leather needs changing. This would have to wait now so hoping leather swap or motor move without too much trouble is possible.
Has anyone done complete leather swap on '85-95 style seat from one used seat to other? How bad job it is? Can leather be taken out without tearing all the seams? As all four seats have long three adjuster cover plate I think this should be straight swap appart from possible problems with leather seams. Or was there change in wiring between these years. There was some changes done to electrics IIRR but I have no idea exactly what it was. Or is it easier just to take out lumbar motors and move them from seat to seat?
Few years from now, plan is to turn these 12-way heated sports + memory on both sides at same time when leather needs changing. This would have to wait now so hoping leather swap or motor move without too much trouble is possible.
02-18-2007, 08:10 PM
#2
Former Vendor
Erkka,
if the leather is still nice and supple (not stiff) there is no problem in removing the covers from a seat without damaging it.
If you are careful about removing all the hog rings, the covers can be removed and re-installed without stress to the leather or seams.
The backrest is very straightforward and you should be able to just switch the back inserts as whole units.
For the bottom, start by undoing the wire that goes all around the edge of the leather under the seats. You will see it tied to itself in a loop right at the back of the seat, under the flap.
Once that is free, be careful to straighten all the hooks from the frame of the seats. That is where most of the damage to the leather comes from.
Good luck
Paul
if the leather is still nice and supple (not stiff) there is no problem in removing the covers from a seat without damaging it.
If you are careful about removing all the hog rings, the covers can be removed and re-installed without stress to the leather or seams.
The backrest is very straightforward and you should be able to just switch the back inserts as whole units.
For the bottom, start by undoing the wire that goes all around the edge of the leather under the seats. You will see it tied to itself in a loop right at the back of the seat, under the flap.
Once that is free, be careful to straighten all the hooks from the frame of the seats. That is where most of the damage to the leather comes from.
Good luck
Paul
02-19-2007, 10:56 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Champagne
Erkka,
if the leather is still nice and supple (not stiff) there is no problem in removing the covers from a seat without damaging it.
If you are careful about removing all the hog rings, the covers can be removed and re-installed without stress to the leather or seams.
The backrest is very straightforward and you should be able to just switch the back inserts as whole units.
For the bottom, start by undoing the wire that goes all around the edge of the leather under the seats. You will see it tied to itself in a loop right at the back of the seat, under the flap.
Once that is free, be careful to straighten all the hooks from the frame of the seats. That is where most of the damage to the leather comes from.
Good luck
Paul
if the leather is still nice and supple (not stiff) there is no problem in removing the covers from a seat without damaging it.
If you are careful about removing all the hog rings, the covers can be removed and re-installed without stress to the leather or seams.
The backrest is very straightforward and you should be able to just switch the back inserts as whole units.
For the bottom, start by undoing the wire that goes all around the edge of the leather under the seats. You will see it tied to itself in a loop right at the back of the seat, under the flap.
Once that is free, be careful to straighten all the hooks from the frame of the seats. That is where most of the damage to the leather comes from.
Good luck
Paul
Would you consider some pictorials on upholstery work? It would be great to see how a pro does some of these things. I'm talking about seat recovering, dash, pod and doors.
Thanks
02-19-2007, 12:15 PM
#5
Former Vendor
Originally Posted by j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net
Paul,
Would you consider some pictorials on upholstery work? It would be great to see how a pro does some of these things. I'm talking about seat recovering, dash, pod and doors.
Thanks
Would you consider some pictorials on upholstery work? It would be great to see how a pro does some of these things. I'm talking about seat recovering, dash, pod and doors.
Thanks
Paul
02-19-2007, 07:14 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Champagne
Sure, next time I do a seat, I'll take some pictures. I know that is something many want to tackle themselves.
Paul
Paul
