Door inserts

[4AU4LIFE]

I'm trying to install my new Leatherseats perforated leather door inserts. I can get the triangular piece behind the inside handle off without any issues. However I can't seem to get the other 3-4 pieces off. Anybody have a tip on how to get them or are they supposed to come off.
I've seen a pic in another thread where the are red and the trim panel is black so I know they have to come off somehow.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[LJSB]

Take off the door trim panel. Look on the inside of the panel and you'll see the little metal tabs that are from the inserts and go through the trim panel.
They are folded over to keep the inserts in place.
Bend them up and push the inserts out.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

Take off the door trim panel. Look on the inside of the panel and you'll see the little metal tabs that are from the inserts and go through the trim panel.
They are folded over to keep the inserts in place.
Bend them up and push the inserts out.

Awesome !!!! Thanks for much for the info. I'll go out right now and do that.

 

[btcog82]

I've had my door inserts now for about 2 years and don't know how to put em' in from the first group buy from those guys from canada(about 2 years ago on prime)...dunnno if that was leatherseats or not...don't think so.

 

[LJSB]

After removing the inserts from the door panel is where the real work begins.
You need to remove the old leather and not tear up or destroy the foam on the insert metal backing plates.
Then you need to be real careful and trim the leather to fit the inserts.
Now comes the glue. A nice bottle of Contact cement with a brush in the cap or some small brushes to apply the glue to both the leather and the insert.
You need to let the adhesive dry and tack up for about 15-20 minutes and then start fitting the pieces to the inserts.

 

[btcog82]

After removing the inserts from the door panel is where the real work begins.
You need to remove the old leather and not tear up or destroy the foam on the insert metal backing plates.
Then you need to be real careful and trim the leather to fit the inserts.
Now comes the glue. A nice bottle of Contact cement with a brush in the cap or some small brushes to apply the glue to both the leather and the insert.
You need to let the adhesive dry and tack up for about 15-20 minutes and then start fitting the pieces to the inserts.

so you've done this...??? anyone else? if so DIY pics of the install would be muy bueno

 

[4AU4LIFE]

I got one side of them recovered so far. Haven't reinstalled them yet.
It was a time consuming, tideous, technical job but fun at the same time. One more door and I'm finished with the whole task.

 

[PoohBEAR]

Well damn...stop teasing and start snapping up some photos. I haven't start with mine yet....waiting for the rest of the pieces from Bill.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

Well damn...stop teasing and start snapping up some photos. I haven't start with mine yet....waiting for the rest of the pieces from Bill.

I should be able to get some pics up this weekend.

 

[btcog82]

yes, pictures please, that would be marvelous
hoohahaha(evil laugh)
sorry I'm losing my mind that my inserts have sat in a closet for 2 years now.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

The instructions given are pretty good. However after doing the first seat and following them to the letter, I found a couple of tricks that made the second seat go by lots easier. Of course it was thru trial and error and pulling and yanking and swearing before I figured them out.
I would also think that they should include instructions on doing the door inserts and the seats. Would it cost that much more to include them in the kit. I realize that you can, and I did, download them from thier website but c'mon we are paying GOOD money for this stuff.

 

[btcog82]

agreed...:frown:

 

[MLmotorsport]

Would it cost that much more to include them in the kit. I realize that you can, and I did, download them from thier website but c'mon we are paying GOOD money for this stuff.

It might have increased the wait time though - which we could NOT afford! :wink:

I did the inserts in suede a few months ago. I suppose you probably already know this but don't loose track of which insert goes where! I wrote the position (pass front, 2nd, etc) on the back of each one of them. Also I'm not sure if it matters much with the leather but it's preferable to have the grain all going the same direction. Did you buy the install kit with yours? Bill sent a can of fabric spray adhesive with mine (I'm sure it's readily available at parts stores etc). It worked amazingly well. It took 5 mins to tack before I could "bond" the suede to the metal and it immediately held very well with little mess. Spray it on the fabric and metal and it will stick like velcro. If you make a mistake or need to adjust the fabric after it's down it's also good about re-sticking (just don't wait too long before adjusting). Good luck! Nothing more satisfying than seeing the finished product and knowing you did it yourself. And enjoy the new-leather smell of the cabin (something the jap cars of this time lacked).

 

[4AU4LIFE]

I did get the install kit with my purchase.
You are right about the glue being very good.
I chose to have the smooth side of the leather on the outside to match my seats so the grain wasn't an issue.
As for making sure they are marked, I haven't noticed that to be a problem. It seems like they have a different number of metal tabs on the back of them to ensure the correct replacement location. That and they are all shaped differently and can only go back together in one sequence.
It must be my printer settings or something because when I printed the directions, the far right border cut off about 2-3 words on every line. That is aggravating to say the least.
Anyway, I'm doing my passenger side door insert tonight and hope to put it in and be completed with the job tonight or in the morning. I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished product.
I agree about being able to sit back and see the difference and having the satisfaction of knowing you did the task yourself. I had no idea of what I was doing but didn't let that deter me for jumping right in and tackling the job anyway. It was tough to begin with but got easier the further I went.
If anybody is considering doing it I would say go ahead and try it.