Recovering the seats

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by Stiglitz

I thought the same thing about the edges
That trim actually has to be flipped over, it's
A total pita, especially the corners, if i have a pic I'll send it to you

That's right here is a picture from my thread that is linked in an earlier post.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

That's right here is a picture from my thread that is linked in an earlier post.

Grant, how did you stretch the leather enough to wrap it so far around the edge of the plastic seat base? Looks like your covers have a whole lot more slack (or leather) than mine. And how did you fasten it after wrapping it around — staples?

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

Grant, how did you stretch the leather enough to wrap it so far around the edge of the plastic seat base? Looks like your covers have a whole lot more slack (or leather) than mine. And how did you fasten it after wrapping it around — staples?

As Stiglitz sait it is a PITA. If I remember correctly it was the most difficult part of the installation. I was forced to get my girlfriend to help me. As I said in my thread...

"We started at the back on one side and worked our way around to the other side. The toughest part was the front and the secret was for one of us to push in the front of the foam to give some slack while the other rolled the the bead into place."

I think the important part is to compress the foam as much as possible by leaning on the cushion.

While I am making suggestions...
The biggest problem that I have with the covers is that the bead in the back of the seat was difficult to get seated and has tended to pull out of its channel. Both my seats are like this now and I have not had the time reseat them.



It is not only Lseat that has this problem, my friend Tony's 2000 Boxster has the same thing with his original Porsche leather seats.

You can perhaps see in the photo that I inserted a wire staple at the very top to hold the bead in place (This was done with the seat out of the car and before the seat back insert was installed). If I was to do it over again I would put staples or screws in a couple of strategic places to hold the bead in place.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

As Stiglitz sait it is a PITA. If I remember correctly it was the most difficult part of the installation. I was forced to get my girlfriend to help me. As I said in my thread...

"We started at the back on one side and worked our way around to the other side. The toughest part was the front and the secret was for one of us to push in the front of the foam to give some slack while the other rolled the the bead into place."

I think the important part is to compress the foam as much as possible by leaning on the cushion.
.
.
You can perhaps see in the photo that I inserted a wire staple at the very top to hold the bead in place (This was done with the seat out of the car and before the seat back insert was installed). If I was to do it over again I would put staples or screws in a couple of strategic places to hold the bead in place.

Thanks, Grant. I was crossing my fingers you wouldn't tell me it was just a matter of reefing on the leather to stretch it over the edge. Since that's the case, I've prevailed upon a couple friends of mine with big, strong hands to assist me in that endeavor. And perhaps applying some heat (again, judiciously) will help. I have a heavy-duty stapler I can press into service. However, I doubt the staples will penetrate the seat base's plastic. Seems to me, though, that Lseat is a little stingy with the leather. Wish they'd made the bottom edge on mine a bit longer.

Another question: Is the appearance and texture of the leather on your covers more like vinyl than leather? The grain of the leather on mine is absolutely uniform, with no variation whatsoever. Furthermore, the texture gives the leather a matte appearance; most leather seats I've seen are smoother. I was so suspicious I emailed Lseat and asked them if perhaps they had used vinyl by mistake, but they assured me it's leather, except for certain side sections, like the factory covers.

I'll tell you this, I'd much rather replace an IMS bearing than reupholster these seats. It would be easier by far. To achieve a decent result, I'd give it an eight or nine on the PITA scale.

[LoneWolfGal]

Work stoppage due to extremely sore fingertips from seating plastic edging into the hooks deep in the seat's foam. But I have a solution for that:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008MY3VU2

Liquid Callus is chiefly used by guitar players, but it should be standard equipment for installing Lseat leather covers. The installation takes a toll on one's hands in general and fingers in particular. My Liquid Callus won't be here until Saturday, but I have plenty of other things to do in the meantime.

[Rob175]

Refresh my memory....what were you quoted, by an auto upholstery shop (labor & materials) if you brought the seats to them to do the entire job?

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by Rob175

Refresh my memory....what were you quoted, by an auto upholstery shop (labor & materials) if you brought the seats to them to do the entire job?

The first quote was $550 for the labor. When I went back, the owner of the shop said the guy who gave me that quote was mistaken, that the labor would be closer to $900. That's when I decided to take a whack at it myself. With the exception of hog rings, Lseat provides all the necessary materials in their kit.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Rob175

Refresh my memory....what were you quoted, by an auto upholstery shop (labor & materials) if you brought the seats to them to do the entire job?

Come on Rob, don't be cruel..

This girl is trying hard, and hats off to her for trying something I would not dare to try

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by Gilles

This girl is trying hard, and hats off to her for trying something I would not dare to try

Thanks, Gilles. Not that I haven't wondered if I were crazier than an outhouse rat to take it on. But even on projects when I was dead certain I was in over my head (and there have been a few of those), I ultimately prevailed by not giving up but continuing to chip away at it. In other words, I'm too stupid to quit.

[Bald Eagle]

Admiring your grit and persistence... keep at it!!!
Larry (the Bald Eagle)

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

Thanks, Grant. I was crossing my fingers you wouldn't tell me it was just a matter of reefing on the leather to stretch it over the edge. Since that's the case, I've prevailed upon a couple friends of mine with big, strong hands to assist me in that endeavor.

That's what you need!

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

Another question: Is the appearance and texture of the leather on your covers more like vinyl than leather? The grain of the leather on mine is absolutely uniform, with no variation whatsoever. Furthermore, the texture gives the leather a matte appearance; most leather seats I've seen are smoother...

Your description is accurate, but I look at the back of the material, where it is obvious what is vinyl or leather. Perhaps they use a leather that has the pattern embossed on it? When I studied my original Porsche skins I found that the cushion sides where vinyl and the tops where leather. I think the vinyl is stretchier which would help explain why the Lseat skins are harder to install.

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

But even on projects when I was dead certain I was in over my head (and there have been a few of those), I ultimately prevailed by not giving up but continuing to chip away at it. In other words, I'm too stupid to quit.

I take the same approach. The only exception I make concerns projects that may result in harm to myself or others.

I think that most of us with 25-year-old Boxsters have another form of transportation we can use when the Boxster is out of commission. Although it can be annoying to have a car in pieces for an extended period, overcoming the challenges will make your ultimate success sweeter.

To paraphrase the immortal words of Bruce Springstein in the classic song "Rosalita" - Someday you will look back at this it will all seem funny.

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

But even on projects when I was dead certain I was in over my head (and there have been a few of those), I ultimately prevailed by not giving up but continuing to chip away at it. In other words, I'm too stupid to quit.

I take the same approach. The only exception I make concerns projects that may result in harm to myself or others.

I think that most of us with 25-year-old Boxsters have another form of transportation we can use when the Boxster is out of commission. Although it can be annoying to have a car in pieces for an extended period, overcoming the challenges will make your ultimate success sweeter.

To paraphrase the immortal words of Bruce Springstein in the classic song "Rosalita" - Someday you will look back at this it will all seem funny.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

I take the same approach. The only exception I make concerns projects that may result in harm to myself or others.

I think that most of us with 25-year-old Boxsters have another form of transportation we can use when the Boxster is out of commission. Although it can be annoying to have a car in pieces for an extended period, overcoming the challenges will make your ultimate success sweeter.

To paraphrase the immortal words of Bruce Springstein in the classic song "Rosalita" - Someday you will look back at this it will all seem funny.

Thanks, Kevin. Well said.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

I take the same approach. The only exception I make concerns projects that may result in harm to myself or others.

I think that most of us with 25-year-old Boxsters have another form of transportation we can use when the Boxster is out of commission. Although it can be annoying to have a car in pieces for an extended period, overcoming the challenges will make your ultimate success sweeter.

To paraphrase the immortal words of Bruce Springstein in the classic song "Rosalita" - Someday you will look back at this it will all seem funny.

Thank you, Kevin. Well said.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

Your description is accurate, but I look at the back of the material, where it is obvious what is vinyl or leather.

Yeah, I guess it's leather, all right. But it sure looks and feels like vinyl.

[Rob175]

I wasn't trying to ridicule "Lone Wolf Gal" for making it a DIY project at all. I was simply curious what her local shops quoted her for the work.

I applaud "Lone Wolf Gal" for her DIY work and often can be just as good or better than a pro shop.....

A few years ago I replaced the original cloth top w/plastic window with a new top w/glass window. I read all of the threads of DIY'ers changing out their tops and also got quotes from experienced professional shops. Of course a DIY project would have saved me money but I considered the DIY savings vs paying someone else and (IN MY CASE) I decided that the additional cost was worth it. Obviously, everyone makes their own decisions. In my case I wasn't keen on a DIY project and just wanted the best quality done with the least downtime.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by Rob175

I wasn't trying to ridicule "Lone Wolf Gal" for making it a DIY project at all. I was simply curious what her local shops quoted her for the work.

I think Gilles was just ribbing you, Rob. I agree that with you that sometimes it's more cost effective and smarter all the way around to let a pro do the honors. A 986 engine rebuild, for example. I'm sure I could get it done eventually, but a pro has the right equipment and could do it in a fraction of the time. You just have to have the means and be willing to pony up.

[LoneWolfGal]

Change of plans. I'll preface this tale by verifying that, as is often the case, the passenger seat's leather was excellent. The thought of stripping it off to install the Lseat cover in its stead made me physically ill. Nevertheless, if I wanted the two seats to match, I would have no choice. What to do? Providence interceded in the form of an email from eBay featuring drivers seats for sale. One in particular caught my eye. Out of a low-mileage totaled 996, it looked absolutely perfect. I realized it was the solution to my problem: I wouldn't have to touch the passenger seat. So I bought it — $600 plus shipping. It arrived today.






Couple things. First, it's an 8-way powered seat, so I plan to swap frames, wiring, and controls with the original seat. I considered retaining the power feature but rejected the idea. I'm sure I could get it working eventually, but I suspect it would involve lots of hair pulling getting the connections right. Besides, I want to keep my 986 as stock as possible. Second, the new seat is unheated. However, the original seat was heated, so I stripped out the heater pads from the lower cushion and back insert. I'll slip them into the new seat and presto! a heated seat. I already have the original seat back together after stealing its heater pads. I plan to start a new thread chronicling the heater pad installation in the new seat.

So that's the saga. I plan to sell the original seat, soon to be powered, as well as the unused Lseat covers, which will defray the cost of the new seat. True, I bailed on installing the Lseat covers, but I could have done it (I coulda been a contender). I know exactly how it's done, and maybe the knowledge will come in handy someday. I opted instead for a solution that's better all the way around.

[KevinH1990]

I think I would have done the same thing. It sounds like the LSEAT product would require a lot of fine tuning to look as good as the OEM upholstery.

Adapting a full power seat for use in your car is possible. https://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/58080-full-power-seat-installation.html

Please let me know if you have questions about the process.

Good luck.