interior install for dummies...
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From: Tucson
interior install for dummies...
so, this is my third 'for dummies' thread on various installs i've done. first was the SC and then the VAFC. this will prob be my last. 
i'm mainly writing this thread in preparation for the group buy where you'll need this knowledge to install this yourself. i'll post the link here when it's set up and going.
final install pics:
Seat Cover Installation
i can't say it better than the helms manual. click on the below word file for the installation procedures:
right click ... save as ...
Question & Answer -- Seat Covers
How hard was the install?
it was super simple, yet tedious. there isn't a lot of skill involved, just patience and a second pair of hands comes in handy when you are trying to do some of the more difficult install parts. one person to pull the deal while the other pushes it to you to lock.
understand i've never worked with upholstery before. when i say this is easy, it's definitely coming from a layman.
the tedious part comes from all these clamps that you have to remove and then reinstall with the new covers:
How long does it take to do?
as you always should, give yourself all day. you never know if you're going to run into any difficulties. this install took about 5-6 hours to complete for me and my partner, and neither of us had done this kind of work before.
What tools do you need?
very little stuff. my vendor will be selling an installation kit that has everything you need, minus the 10mm/12mm sockets and ratchet to remove the seats from the car.
Any tips of getting a tight fit?
we starts on the bottom cushion at the middle and worked out way down, then up the seat. the important part really is to just take your time and ensure you have everything like you want it before you start clamping stuff down.
on the headrest, don't try to get it super tight. just try to work out the wrinkles before closing it down. the tight fit will come naturally with the wrinkles removed.
What can i do about any wrinkles i have?
my best advice is to let the sun do its job and keep the leather conditioned and clean. in time, the leather will shrink into place. there are ways to speed up the process, but i'm not familiar with them and they can harm the leather if not done correctly, so i'll make no mention of them.
here are some various pics i took during the install process:
pic of new interior:
seats fully disassembled:
Door Insert Installation
1. remove the door panels. first, remove the snap screw near where the hinges are.
2. next, follow the door trimming starting near the hinges and along the bottom of the door, snapping out the door panel from the door.
3. remove the two screws that are in the door handle. these will be the last connections that keep the door panel connected to the door
4. after removing the door panel, be sure to disconnect the connectors for the tweeters and the window controls.
5. repeat for the other side.
6. take all the hardware inside (cuz it's freakin' hot in the garage!)
7. remove all the screws holding the door inserts to the door panel.
8. remove other gear such as the window controls, etc.
9. remove the door insert from the door panel and then remove the door insert from the plastic backing by slowly ripping it off the adhesive.
10. match up the new inserts to the plastic backing by matching up what was left of the seam of the perf. part from the old insert.
11. carefully and slowly glue down the insert one section at a time, ensure no air is left underneath and that it is flat against the backing.
12. allow glue to dry.
13. cut out holes for the various gear to be attached to door. err on the side of caution and cut small. you should also use your old insert to see how they made their cuts.
14. reinstall all gear and reinstall door insert to door panel.
15. reinstall back onto car ensuring you reconnect electrical. it'll snap back into place.
16. repeat for other side.
How difficult is this install?
it couldn't be easier. you simply need to take your time, esp when you're gluing down the insert and cutting the holes.
How long did it take?
the first side took a while cuz we were moving so slowly. the 2nd time was done in 1/2 the time since we knew what we were doing. for someone who has never done this before, give yourself 2 hours.
What tools do i need?
screw driver, upholstery glue, and a sharp knife or razor blade.
here are some various pics i took during the process.
pic of new insert:
pic of old insert removed:
pic of plastic backings for door insert. see the line where i matched up the hems for the new panel?:
pic of one door panel finished:
i'm mainly writing this thread in preparation for the group buy where you'll need this knowledge to install this yourself. i'll post the link here when it's set up and going.
final install pics:
Seat Cover Installation
i can't say it better than the helms manual. click on the below word file for the installation procedures:
right click ... save as ...
Question & Answer -- Seat Covers
How hard was the install?
it was super simple, yet tedious. there isn't a lot of skill involved, just patience and a second pair of hands comes in handy when you are trying to do some of the more difficult install parts. one person to pull the deal while the other pushes it to you to lock.
understand i've never worked with upholstery before. when i say this is easy, it's definitely coming from a layman.
the tedious part comes from all these clamps that you have to remove and then reinstall with the new covers:
How long does it take to do?
as you always should, give yourself all day. you never know if you're going to run into any difficulties. this install took about 5-6 hours to complete for me and my partner, and neither of us had done this kind of work before.
What tools do you need?
very little stuff. my vendor will be selling an installation kit that has everything you need, minus the 10mm/12mm sockets and ratchet to remove the seats from the car.
Any tips of getting a tight fit?
we starts on the bottom cushion at the middle and worked out way down, then up the seat. the important part really is to just take your time and ensure you have everything like you want it before you start clamping stuff down.
on the headrest, don't try to get it super tight. just try to work out the wrinkles before closing it down. the tight fit will come naturally with the wrinkles removed.
What can i do about any wrinkles i have?
my best advice is to let the sun do its job and keep the leather conditioned and clean. in time, the leather will shrink into place. there are ways to speed up the process, but i'm not familiar with them and they can harm the leather if not done correctly, so i'll make no mention of them.
here are some various pics i took during the install process:
pic of new interior:
seats fully disassembled:
Door Insert Installation
1. remove the door panels. first, remove the snap screw near where the hinges are.
2. next, follow the door trimming starting near the hinges and along the bottom of the door, snapping out the door panel from the door.
3. remove the two screws that are in the door handle. these will be the last connections that keep the door panel connected to the door
4. after removing the door panel, be sure to disconnect the connectors for the tweeters and the window controls.
5. repeat for the other side.
6. take all the hardware inside (cuz it's freakin' hot in the garage!)
7. remove all the screws holding the door inserts to the door panel.
8. remove other gear such as the window controls, etc.
9. remove the door insert from the door panel and then remove the door insert from the plastic backing by slowly ripping it off the adhesive.
10. match up the new inserts to the plastic backing by matching up what was left of the seam of the perf. part from the old insert.
11. carefully and slowly glue down the insert one section at a time, ensure no air is left underneath and that it is flat against the backing.
12. allow glue to dry.
13. cut out holes for the various gear to be attached to door. err on the side of caution and cut small. you should also use your old insert to see how they made their cuts.
14. reinstall all gear and reinstall door insert to door panel.
15. reinstall back onto car ensuring you reconnect electrical. it'll snap back into place.
16. repeat for other side.
How difficult is this install?
it couldn't be easier. you simply need to take your time, esp when you're gluing down the insert and cutting the holes.
How long did it take?
the first side took a while cuz we were moving so slowly. the 2nd time was done in 1/2 the time since we knew what we were doing. for someone who has never done this before, give yourself 2 hours.
What tools do i need?
screw driver, upholstery glue, and a sharp knife or razor blade.
here are some various pics i took during the process.
pic of new insert:
pic of old insert removed:
pic of plastic backings for door insert. see the line where i matched up the hems for the new panel?:
pic of one door panel finished:
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,156
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From: Tucson
Originally Posted by Johnny--2K,Aug 2 2004, 02:34 PM
great write up!
So am I correct when I say the center piece for the back of the seat is separate from the rest of the cushions right?
So am I correct when I say the center piece for the back of the seat is separate from the rest of the cushions right?
i'll link all three of my dummy threads in the sticky, xviper.
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From: SFV
Originally Posted by swtazn97,Aug 2 2004, 02:05 PM
off topic: but i like where you mounted the V1. 
Could you take a closer pic of the mount you created? Sorry - I know it's off-topic, but I'm not 100% happy with my mount... Any help there would be appreciated as well.
Thanks, Wortham!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,156
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From: Tucson
Originally Posted by Sleepy,Aug 2 2004, 05:19 PM
Hey there -
If the center piece is completely separated, could I order a two-tone set, and just install the center pad section? I mean could you use the stock back piece / headrest, and use the center piece supplied by leatherseats.com? That would eliminate the wrinkled headrest (assuming the black they provide for the seat bottom matches the stock black exactly...)
Am I making any sense? Basically, I want to have what you have (but with the center pad in blue).
If the center piece is completely separated, could I order a two-tone set, and just install the center pad section? I mean could you use the stock back piece / headrest, and use the center piece supplied by leatherseats.com? That would eliminate the wrinkled headrest (assuming the black they provide for the seat bottom matches the stock black exactly...)
Am I making any sense? Basically, I want to have what you have (but with the center pad in blue).
as far as wrinkles, there are two reasons they're there. first, is the installer (me) getting lazy near the end and not working them out a bit more and second is not enough time. the leather will shrink in time to fit the headrest. i coudl speed it along by using a hair dryer or something similar, but then i run the risk of drying out the leather and damaging it. instead, i'm letting the sun do its work and keeping it properly conditioned in the meantime.
it's not my vendor's pattern that's off. it's fine. in fact, my camera does a hell of a job bringing those out too. in person, it looks much smoother. but again, time will do the trick.
on my detector:
http://www.killer-f20c.com/detector.html