Leather Head Rest Cover removal/install

[CookieRoe]

Hello All,

I figure since many have experience installing seat covers, I'd ask here.

I have a 07 Civic sedan with leather kit that I would like to install myself. I priced local auto upholstery shops and they want anywhere from $500-750. Yikes.

I started with what I thought would be the easiest part, the headrests. Wow, was I wrong. As you can see, slipping the covers on will be next to impossible. These headrests covers are not made to come off, so it was suggested I put the covers on top of the cloth. One method to do this, is to get a vacuum cleaner hose (well, look at the video, it explains it better than I can describe).

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Anyway, well, I tried the "shop vac" method and couldn't get enough suction for the head rest foam to "shrink". UUrghhh

I tried the other night to gingerly fit the cover, but it's just not going to happen, I need suction!!

Shop-Vac method:


I need SUCTION!!!!


BTW, they are Katskins kit I got for very cheap.

 

[Toyo4Running]

I've seen a video about installing the leather head rest cover by using a plastig pag and vacuum cleaner. its quite easy how they did it. here's the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8JAMDnW7S0#t=90

 

[CookieRoe]

I've seen a video about installing the leather head rest cover by using a plastig pag and vacuum cleaner. its quite easy how they did it. here's the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8JAMDnW7S0#t=90

Umm, that's the method I used, but my parents shop vac didn't have enough suction. Over the weekend, I noticed the filters on my regular vacuum cleaner were clogged, so I got new ones. The suction increased noticeably, I'll give it another try. I would've thought a shop vac would be more powerful.

 

[CookieRoe]

Not that anyone cares about my civic, but I'm here to share what I've learned so far. The vacuum cleaner suction method doesn't work. The foam in my headrests are very dense. The only way I got the covers to fit is by getting very angry and squeezing the crap out of them. Squeezing the headrest while a second person fits the cover on is the only way to go. I'll be using this method for my 4Runner when the leather in my truck gets bad.

Note: When you slip the cover on, the cover may be wavy or not appear to fit correctly. This is normal. Messaging it will certainly help the fitment better. When summertime arrives, I'll be letting my car bake in the sun for the leather to better contort to the seats/covers/etc.

 

[CAMELPRO]

I did this a few months back with my Tundra. I had to use the vacuum method AND have an extra set of hands. We finally got it but it was a mofo.

Glad you got it done. It's a very satisfying job once you finally finish it!

 

[CookieRoe]

I did this a few months back with my Tundra. I had to use the vacuum method AND have an extra set of hands. We finally got it but it was a mofo.

Glad you got it done. It's a very satisfying job once you finally finish it!

I can't wait but its slow. I want to get my rear seats done soon, but the front seats will have to wait a bit until I can get front seat heaters installed (still can't decide which kit to get). My Civic didn't come with heated seats from the factory, so in new years it did. I got OEM switches and plan on using them. Anyway, I expect to have it done by spring time. No doubt it will be very satisfying, I'm not paying $500-750 to have them installed.

 

[CAMELPRO]

I can't wait but its slow. I want to get my rear seats done soon, but the front seats will have to wait a bit until I can get front seat heaters installed (still can't decide which kit to get). My Civic didn't come with heated seats from the factory, so in new years it did. I got OEM switches and plan on using them. Anyway, I expect to have it done by spring time. No doubt it will be very satisfying, I'm not paying $500-750 to have them installed.

There are several kits cheap on ebay. I found one that had switches that looked and fit like factory. Putting the kit in is super easy if you already have the covers off the seats. The heater kit was by far the easiest part of the whole project.