Leather interiors

December 2, 2007

Is there a leather interior kit thats any better to install than others? We have been talking about this for a little while to add to the shop but dont know if there is any better than others. :twocents :thumb

December 4, 2007

The most widely distributed and known leather interior kit comes from Katzkin. They produce kits for a large variety of late model vehicles, and are up to date on availability with current models.

Their kits are really very high quality, the leather is a nice even grade throughout. THey fit nicely and the sewing is impeccable. The price is very reasonable for leather. Although I prefer to use my own leather supplier, Katzkin does sell hides and matching vinyl for building custom seating (there are a few models for which they do not have a kit.) They also offer several "levels" of kit, from stock style to multi-colored, to embroidered extras.

One thing to watch out with them is which kit you order. I always steer my customers towards the regular leather kits, which have leather facings on all seats. If you order the deluxe kit, you eliminate the leather facings on the rear seat. But it is leather face on the fronts. They are a couple hundred less, and you still get the leather smell, but I like the uniformity of all leather seating.

There are several lesser marketed companies (look in ATRN or another trade magazine) that advertise and sell. Some of these companies are specific to a particular marque or style of vehicle. Some are geared just towards vintage vehicles. And I'm sure a lot of them purchase their kits from Katzkin and just remarket them at a higher price to the consumer (just like Legendary through Year One and OPD).

Pecca Leather, Inc

Roadwire

GAHH

Midwest Motorsports for vettes (Yeager's stuff is very nice, for stock and custom)

The list goes on and on.

December 4, 2007

Thanks for that information. I will take a good look through their wesite. :beer

tint_detective · December 4, 2007

Haven't tried Pecca or roadwire kits, but have heard good things...

GAHH, is geared mainly toward older imports, Jag, Merc., etc.....

I am installing one on a conv. Jag now....

Katzkins are good, cost effective kits, their DK Schweitzer line leaves a little to be desired....

Be aware, Katzkin will sell to any yo-yo within' a 2 block radius of you...... :evilgrin

Pyramids · November 27, 2008

The most widely distributed and known leather interior kit comes from Katzkin. They produce kits for a large variety of late model vehicles, and are up to date on availability with current models.
Their kits are really very high quality, the leather is a nice even grade throughout. THey fit nicely and the sewing is impeccable. The price is very reasonable for leather. Although I prefer to use my own leather supplier, Katzkin does sell hides and matching vinyl for building custom seating (there are a few models for which they do not have a kit.) They also offer several "levels" of kit, from stock style to multi-colored, to embroidered extras.

One thing to watch out with them is which kit you order. I always steer my customers towards the regular leather kits, which have leather facings on all seats. If you order the deluxe kit, you eliminate the leather facings on the rear seat. But it is leather face on the fronts. They are a couple hundred less, and you still get the leather smell, but I like the uniformity of all leather seating.

There are several lesser marketed companies (look in ATRN or another trade magazine) that advertise and sell. Some of these companies are specific to a particular marque or style of vehicle. Some are geared just towards vintage vehicles. And I'm sure a lot of them purchase their kits from Katzkin and just remarket them at a higher price to the consumer (just like Legendary through Year One and OPD).

Pecca Leather, Inc

Roadwire

GAHH

Midwest Motorsports for vettes (Yeager's stuff is very nice, for stock and custom)

The list goes on and on.

I have been doing leather for 10 years now and have seen alot. I know this post is a year old but o well. Kats isnt perfect, but I dont have neer as many problems with them as Roadwire.(Used to be Classic soft trim) Kits came in not completely sewed, clips sewn backwards, ect. I even put one in my new truck in 06. big mistake. I had to buy the drivers seat back because they wouldent warranty it. Keep in mind I bought hundreds of kits from them, and told them it was my own vehicle I showed to customers. That did it for me. Roadwire and alot of others are cheeper. But they suck.