Just finished the rear seat (top and bottom).
I didn't change much except headrests (I made them a bit higher and puffier). I didn't steam leather yet (so it's not as smooth as it will be).
And I didn't install 'em yet because I need to deal with some rust first.
So ... what do you think, guys?

BTW, I have a question ... door inserts - they are simply glued on, right?
I decided to use 2 colors for the interior - black/dark gray (brake cover, lid cover, inserts and front seats "backs" will be dark grey).

 

did u use real leather?

looks like it could shrink up a bit, but nice job on that, pretty cool.

 

nice job, please keep us posted.

 

It is all real leather, and it will shrink a bit after steaming.
BTW, I used thin foam as "backing", so it is a normal look in the seat area. And I didn't re-use Maxima's attachment "lines" - I prefer adhesive instead.

ANd I'll keep you posted, of course - front seats are on the way but still far from being finished (and I'm leaving for 2 weeks - work ...).

 

Forgot to ask, is there by chance a write up on the way???

 

i asked if it was real leather because you wrote leather in quotes...."leather"

do you get this stuff on discount somewhere, i dont even have the slightest clue how much leather would be to buy, but those kits that are a direct fit are like 600 bucks!!

 

how much cheaper is this compared to a 550$ leather kit

 

$800 if you opt for the heaters

 

There is not much to write about - make a template for each seat (split it in components of the cover). Buy leather, but leather sewing machine (expensive!), buy padding (i.e. foam), buy cord (for making attachment pieces - at the back of the seat), buy hog-rings and hog-ring tool (for attaching cover to seats), buy spray-on adhesive (for glueing covers to seat's foam), buy steamer (for leather conditioning after installation is complete) ... when all of the above is done - enjoy your new leather seats

Making inserts is even easier - use adhesive to glue leather to the base (I have finished front seats' back pieces only ... door inserts are on the way - need to remove 'em first ... and nobody answered my question so far yet ...)

 

in the summer id want a butt/back cooler, i hate stickin to the leather.

 

how much to make me a set then?

 

Leather hides cost me $100 (ebay) ...
The most expensive thing is leather sewing machine (one, I bought, goes through 6 layers of leather).

I wanted leather seats for my truck (>$1500 - way 2 expensive) for a long time now ... and because I never sewed before, I decided to pratice on maxima first and then make 'em for my YJ

 

ha-ha!!! turn on AC

 

Perforated Leather works great for that. That's what came with my Highlander... plus it keeps your butt from sliding around too.

 

He'd want way too much to make mine... because I'd want mine PLUSH!!!!!!

Nothing like sinking into leather

 

heater kits would cost you about $25-35/seat ... you may even choose to install those for the rear one too

and it's not so difficult to install them (just make sure you've enough hog-rings - nissan used a plenty of those on maxima's seats). Seats shaving is not so bad either - very samiliar to cutting bread lol ...

1. remove original seat covers (cut original hog-rings with bolt cutter);
2. cut out channels for seat heater in seat foam (save these pieces later);
3. put in seat heater;
4. cover it with pieces you cut b4 (use adhesive to hold 'em in place)
5. re-install seat cover (hog-ring tool would be very usefull - you can find one on ebay for $10 ... usually they will include 100 hog-rings too)

PS: I plan to install a massager into driver's seat ... with a heater of course

 

well ... i like leather ... with AC on! LOL

 

Nice...to answer your question. Yes the inserts are glued on BUT the foam backing of the insert usually sticks to the door panel and is a big pain to get off.

I will be sending you my Chevelle seats to do lol j/k.

 

Thanks! - I was about to do some damage already.
I guess some "steam" power should help me out on this one then - anyways I'll be buying a good steamer (semi-industrial steamer).

PS: prefer YJs or CJs

 

my brother has a YJ, i love that thing. i used to have a XJ...miss that thing.

so how much leather did you get for $100?

 

about 90-95 sq ft (2 full cow hides)

 

muuuuuuuuuu!


so that covers maybe the back seat and half a front?

 

[QUOTE=rrrfoma]

BTW, I have a question ... door inserts - they are simply glued on, right?

[QUOTE]

ya they are just glued on

 

looks very nice, i have been thinking about doin my own leater seats but i dont wanna buy the sewing machine for just a 1 time use, i am lookin into some where that i can just rent 1

 

yeah ... i might need to buy some vinyl for sides (it supposed to be enough but when you do cutting ... and mistakes ...)
plus i figured it's much easier to do vinyl sides from a fit prospective ...

 

So, would you be willing to make any additional sets, since you already bought all of the equipment? What if I bought the leather and shipped it to you?

 

**** man, you can make a living off of this......... wanna do mine????

 

yeah,i wld like a set too. gives us a price. or at least yhink abt it.

 

easier to get leather seat from a junkyard for $300 than to get em custom done?

 

maybe depends how much he'll charge us.

 

Plus the whole reason you would have them custom done, is so you get the color you want. Not just whatever is at the junkyard.

 

I just got my 2 front seats priced yesterday,recovered in black leather with the side bolsters built up to how I want and custom stitching in the headrest (Type R :P ) and the fellow wants $1200 canadian including materials for the 2 front seats.

It is expensive but the guy that is doing them is a local guy that has cars shipped to him from all over north america to have complete custom interiors done and such,top notch work for sure

BJ White

 

but all that leather is old and most likely dried out from being 13 years old, to get it redone, it will be nice, brand new leather. MMMMMM the smell of new leather

 

i cldn't put it in better words. new verses old, i take new everytime.

 

very nice job. Y the different color for front and back?

 

mr sector, 1200 bucks!!! are you crazy, thats insane especially for this 3rd gen....i dont know bout that.

 

Yeah ... I agree ... that's 2 much 4 sure. And that's one of the reasons why I decided to make 'em myself. My only motivation to make leather covers for maxima was to practice b4 I start making leather upolstery for my truck (i.e. I knew I'll be making many mistakes, which I didn't mind - but I want the best 4 my truck ... read: very expensive leather to screw with lol).


Sorry guys but I'm not into business of making leather seat covers ... and my daytime job pays more then well ...

 

thanks
seats back and door inserts are gonna be dark gray, everything else - black

 

here is a link you guys to a seller on e-bay who has some pretty decent looking seat covers made from leather like material that are decently priced.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

 

Think about it - it's a good guess that the newest leather seat package from a junkyard will be more than 10 years old to get seats compatible for your 3rd gen. Further, most junkyards don't really care about the seats - often selling the glass without covering up the hole. Leather exposed to constant sun dries up - cracks (like my 92). Add the rain, mildew, and rat droppings - I don't think it would be worth the $300...