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Replace Seat Skins Katzkin Leather Seats

Replacing Late Model Seat Skins - Ripped Replacement

Replacing Late Model Seat Skins Is A Lot Easier Than Vintage Cars-Even We Can Do It
By Randy Bolig
Photography by Randy Bolig
Replace Seat Skins Store Seat Covers
The part's store seat covers... 
   
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Replace Seat Skins Store Seat Covers
The part's store seat covers did the trick for a while, but c'mon, there is a better option.
Well, it's finally happened-you've been driving your daily-commuter Mopar for a few years now, and the last time you got in, you noticed the tell-tale sign of wear-yep, your seat's skin has started to tear. It's bound to happen, as many times as we slide in and out of our seats, a tear or wear spot is inevitable. It may even happen sooner that you think, if your late model Mopar came with the very basic of interiors.

Replace Seat Skins Original Seats
Removing the seats is straightforward,... 
   
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Replace Seat Skins Original Seats
Removing the seats is straightforward, so we won't waste your time, but with the seat out, the wear tear is really noticeable.
So that brings us to the vehicle in our tech article. Our 2003 Ram's seats had a severe problem-the material simply came apart. For some reason, a clean separation just appeared one day, and each day it got larger. One year for Christmas, we were fortunate enough to get a set of parts store seat covers, and sure, they worked fine, and it definitely beat getting a tie for Christmas, but we always felt there was a better option

Replace Seat Skins Hog Rings
Unlike a vintage car's hog... 
   
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Replace Seat Skins Hog Rings
Unlike a vintage car's hog rings that hold the skin in place, late model vehicles use a plastic length of "hook" to keep the skin in place. This "hook" is simply unhooked to remove the skin.
Replace Seat Skins Remove Seat Back Adjuster
Before you can remove the... 
   
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Replace Seat Skins Remove Seat Back Adjuster
Before you can remove the bottom skin, you need to remove the seat-back adjuster and the "hooks" holding the skin in place.
Replace Seat Skins Extra Flaps
Replace Seat Skins Unhook Skin
With the edges of the skin... 
   
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Replace Seat Skins Unhook Skin
With the edges of the skin unhooked, you'll come to the center of the seat where the skin is held in place by Velcro. Remember the old days when recovering a seat meant pulling the center tight through the bottom and back of the seat and hog ringing it to give the seat "depth" when it was done.
Replace Seat Skins Remove Skin
Removing the back skin is... 
   
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Replace Seat Skins Remove Skin
Removing the back skin is easiest if you simply start from the bottom and pull the skin up over itself. Installing the new skin is as easy as doing the reverse.
Replace Seat Skins Tuck Flaps
The new seat back skin is... 
   
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Replace Seat Skins Tuck Flaps
The new seat back skin is turned inside out and slid over the frame work. It also has these flaps that get tucked under the skin before the bottom edge of the seat skin is simply zippered shut.
Replace Seat Skins Head Rest Tubes
Before you can remove the... 
   
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Replace Seat Skins Head Rest Tubes
Before you can remove the seat back skin, you need to remove the head rest tubes. This is done by giving them a quarter turn and lifting them out.
Replace Seat Skins Seat Bottom Skin
The seat bottom skin is simply... 
   
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Replace Seat Skins Seat Bottom Skin
The seat bottom skin is simply put into position, and the "hooks" attached underneath the framework.
Replace Seat Skins Skin Zipper
By "working" the material... 
   
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Replace Seat Skins Skin Zipper
By "working" the material down over the seat, you can get rid of the wrinkles. Don't forget to pull the skin down tight before the Velcro bites fast.

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