I picked up some heating elements and wiring from a member and want to install them myself.

How do I take off the leather 'skins' off my seats so I can install the pads? I heard I can do the bottom myself but will need some tool to do the back?

True? I really don't want to go to an upholstery shop. They'll charge me.

Thanks in advance.

 

its not as hard as you might think, just takes some time. once you remove the cushion via the 4 12mm bolts (buttom seat), use two needle nose pliers to retract the metal staples all around the perimeter of the skin and some in the center. Remove skin, instal heater pads, reinstal skin, align the strips back into position and fasten the with staples using the needle nose pliers.

I have done a few interiors, nothing too difficult just needs some practice especially when rewrapping the leather skin to make sure it is tight and straight.

Go for it, if it turns out to be too difficult, then you can get it done profesionaly.

 

That's for the bottom seat? I can do that one myself from what I've heard.

The seat back is the one that I was told I need a tool to undo the leather.

I'm an hour away from you. Would you care to help? I'll throw you some $$$ (say $30 or so). I'll get all the wiring installed and ready before coming over so we can test right then and there.

 

You can get "Hog Ring" pliers for pretty cheap from a local tool guy or Crapsman. They hig rings themselves you can get through NAPA......To take the old Hog rings off, all you need are some dykes or wire cutters to cut them off....

 

Thank you. I'll look into that.

 

Is something like this what I need?

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/kd3702.html - Pliers

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...equestid=70013 - Rings

Is there a certain size ring?

 

Can you give some details on the heating elements you are using? I was thinking about doing this as well. Heated leather should have been standard.

 

The hog ring pliers will work; the rings will be too thin. Call leatherseats.com up and get their pliers/hog rings to save on shipping.

You will want a BADA'SS set of snips, you'll be miuch happier you did in the long run.

 

I re-did the skins in my Z32 and it was quite a task, the hog ring pliers are a must and I second that about having a good set of snips, you dont want to have to go through and pull each hog ring out by bending them back, its not a highly technical process but it is time consuming. Be sure to make a mental note as to where everything goes etc and you should be fine. I have never done it in a maxima so I can offer no advice as to what is required in it, but you should be able to tackle it. Good luck.

 

Snips meaning something to cut the old clips? Like sheers? I got some heavy duty shears that cut anything, including sheet metal.

I'll call up that place.

Will it have the size I need? Do they need to know it's for a Maxima?

 

They are from a heated Maxima. The seller probably had some nasty heated seats and wripped the leather off to get the wiring/components out.

 

Yeah that's pretty much what I did. I may have another set if anyone else is interested.
The install is pretty basic one thing you will want to buy is some spray adhesive or an adhesive strip to secure the elements to the foam of the seats.

 

Joe...PM sent.

 

Well be sure to check back with us and let us know how it is going. Once you take the old covers come off, you will see exactly how it will need to go back on.

 

I'll try to do a mini-writeup lol.

 

damn ilya it does not take a genius for it. Hit up your friend....

 

lol.

Do you have the tools? I ain't drivin to NYC to pick em up though lol.

 

I just purchased the following and will be doing the install soon.

http://leatherseats.com/products2.asp?c=&id=360 - Tools Kit (Hog ring pliers, hog rings, and adhesive)

http://leatherseats.com/products2.asp?c=&id=403 - Mothers Leather Cleaner/Conditioner Kit

 

The friend from down south man... If you got questions, hit me up because I have done it before. It is pretty simple though meaning doesnt take a genius to figure out what to do

 

Will do. I should be okay as leatherseats.com has basic instructions. I'll get at you if I need any help. Thanks for the offer man.

 

how can i ADD leather to my maxima? and how much would it cost?

 

In your case I would just buy the entire seats. You can get everything (front and rear seats and panels) for $500.

 

Well I installed the pads and everything is great.

I didn't do a write up since the one on leatherseats.com (under the installation tab) is pretty much what I followed. After I did the first seat, the other seat took me like 15 minutes. VERY EASY.

Thanks for the pointers (to the site for the hog rings, etc.) guys. I appreciate it.