06 RL - Driver Seat leather replacement (options?)
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
06 RL - Driver Seat leather replacement (options?)
Well, it happened as it did to many members here: my driver seat leather started to rip pretty bad. I was searching for the seat replacement for more than a year and came up with nothing. I checked with upholstery shops and almost everyone suggested to replace the whole bottom seat (seat back needs no replacing, just the bottom part.
So, after searching and searching, seat has ripped slowly but surely and it is time.
My current options I researched were:
1) Brand new leather skin from Acura dealer ($700) plus whatever labor will be in upholstery shop to replace it... it may come close to $1300-1500 and I do not want to spend that much; not worth it...
2) Used leather seat - unable to find for more than 15 months now...
3) This is so far my closest option: purchase passenger seat in much better condition (found one for $300) and have upholstery shop replace only bottom seat part. Since there is a small rip in this seat I found, they would fix it first and then replace / install the piece... http://goo.gl/vcA7uO
So I guess my question is: Can the bottom seat part be separated from the passenger seat and installed instead of the ripped one on my driver one? So not looking to swap whole seats, but would if it's easier - just seeing if I have any options getting this seat :/
Thanks all!
PS I searched and could not find anything on leather seat replacement in this section - kept throwing all forum results at me.
So, after searching and searching, seat has ripped slowly but surely and it is time.
My current options I researched were:
1) Brand new leather skin from Acura dealer ($700) plus whatever labor will be in upholstery shop to replace it... it may come close to $1300-1500 and I do not want to spend that much; not worth it...
2) Used leather seat - unable to find for more than 15 months now...
3) This is so far my closest option: purchase passenger seat in much better condition (found one for $300) and have upholstery shop replace only bottom seat part. Since there is a small rip in this seat I found, they would fix it first and then replace / install the piece... http://goo.gl/vcA7uO
So I guess my question is: Can the bottom seat part be separated from the passenger seat and installed instead of the ripped one on my driver one? So not looking to swap whole seats, but would if it's easier - just seeing if I have any options getting this seat :/
Thanks all!
PS I searched and could not find anything on leather seat replacement in this section - kept throwing all forum results at me.
Last edited by rlx015; 12-23-2015 at 10:10 AM.
#2
What color is your interior? I have a parts car with black interior. I am pretty positive the drivers seat is cracked but I think the passenger is ok if you decide to go that route. I honestly wonder what an interior shop would charge to replace the seat bottom with new material? I think that might be the cheapest route. feel free to pm me if you want
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
What color is your interior? I have a parts car with black interior. I am pretty positive the drivers seat is cracked but I think the passenger is ok if you decide to go that route. I honestly wonder what an interior shop would charge to replace the seat bottom with new material? I think that might be the cheapest route. feel free to pm me if you want
Thanks
#4
Intermediate
I had a local upholstery shop redo both of my passenger and driver seat bottoms because it was getting really bad. Cost $600 in parts and labor and it looks nearly identical to the OEM ones. Now I'm starting to see the driver side seat back get slowly ripped
![Why Me](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/whyme.gif)
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
If I opted for the upholstery shop I would definitely go with non-perforated leather, and something of a good quality.
#6
Drifting
Ask some use car dealers for a leather upholstery shop referral. They should know a good and reasonable repair shop or person with plenty of experience with higher end cars that specializes in working with leather seats.
#7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone! I will get in touch with the dealer and get some upholstery shops lined up to get quotes. Seems that may not be that expensive as I initially thought.
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#8
Thanks for the thread. I have been wondering what to do about my seats that are looking ragged with the cracking and some rips. I can't stand looking at them anymore. I have been preparing myself to dropping for two seats (driver and passenger) but this thread gave me the idea to look for shops locally that do automotive upholstery and found two! I am getting quotes sent within a couple of days.
#10
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks for the thread. I have been wondering what to do about my seats that are looking ragged with the cracking and some rips. I can't stand looking at them anymore. I have been preparing myself to dropping for two seats (driver and passenger) but this thread gave me the idea to look for shops locally that do automotive upholstery and found two! I am getting quotes sent within a couple of days.
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
So I finally found local upholstery shop to get an estimate for replacing ripped leather and here is the breakdown:
- seat piece leather replacement (lower part of the seat) to install flat-leather and cushion ($450 per seat, real leather)
- armrest between seats replacing with leather like material ($120)
- both front doors armrests (bubbling-up) are $170 per door...
- repair/replacement of one piece on drivers seat back (re-using the passenger seat leather to match nicely) - $100.
So all ended up coming out to under $1500 ($1460) ... Cash only price...
I feel this pricing is bit high and expected this price I guess but for full front seats real leather replacement 100% and armrest...
Two lower seats pieces and armrests with leather-like material, I dunno - $1500 is really high...
Thoughts?
Thanks all!
- seat piece leather replacement (lower part of the seat) to install flat-leather and cushion ($450 per seat, real leather)
- armrest between seats replacing with leather like material ($120)
- both front doors armrests (bubbling-up) are $170 per door...
- repair/replacement of one piece on drivers seat back (re-using the passenger seat leather to match nicely) - $100.
So all ended up coming out to under $1500 ($1460) ... Cash only price...
I feel this pricing is bit high and expected this price I guess but for full front seats real leather replacement 100% and armrest...
Two lower seats pieces and armrests with leather-like material, I dunno - $1500 is really high...
Thoughts?
Thanks all!
#12
Senior Moderator
How much to pull out each individual part from wrecked cars?
#13
Intermediate
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Los Angeles,C.A.
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Yea that is steep i'd say keep looking around i just had a tear in my passenger seat, the driver armrest was wrinkling, plus a hole in the backseat fixed for $250 with real leather matches OEM leather perfectly but i noticed OEM leather feels thicker and of better quality so thats waaaay overpriced stealership prices..
#14
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If I remember correctly, you're also in the North Shore area. Check out Auto Interior and Design off Rockland rd. in Lake Bluff. He did my center console and I'm thinking of taking my door arm rests to him since I noticed a small bubble in the driver door.
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rlx015 (08-05-2016)
#15
Senior Moderator
Do those prices include labor for removal? If so, you could take the parts out yourself and take them to the shop individually.
#16
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I was even thinking suede option on both seats but more I think wilder ideas I get lol ...
#17
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Quick update: Just got estimate done by the shop in Lake Bluff, and it is $1000 for all:
- driver seat seat and back, matching perforated leather replacement
- passenger seat, matching perforated leather replacement
- console arm-rest lids replacement
- both front door arm-rest replacements
250 material, 750 labor...
Honestly, I think pricing is medium, not too expensive not too cheap - but I am really tired looking for whole seats online, ebay, etc... this price is acceptable to me and I like the shop guy who will be doing the work.
Thanks everyone for all the responses and suggestions. Special thanks to projektvertx for suggesting the shop!
Once it is done, I will post pictures before and after...
- driver seat seat and back, matching perforated leather replacement
- passenger seat, matching perforated leather replacement
- console arm-rest lids replacement
- both front door arm-rest replacements
250 material, 750 labor...
Honestly, I think pricing is medium, not too expensive not too cheap - but I am really tired looking for whole seats online, ebay, etc... this price is acceptable to me and I like the shop guy who will be doing the work.
Thanks everyone for all the responses and suggestions. Special thanks to projektvertx for suggesting the shop!
Once it is done, I will post pictures before and after...
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rlx015 (08-18-2016)
#19
Torch & Pitchfork Posse
I have 2 associates who recently purchased in the same week, new Accords that did not have leather (which they wanted). The dealer offered to have it done, but both wisely contacted 2 different upholstery vendors. One paid $1450 and the other paid $1275 for virtually the same work and quality. The leather work is superior to the factory (although Honda leather is not as nice as the leather used in an Acura, particularly the RL). It was the seats (front and back), door panel inserts and armrests. Both opted for perforated leather (like the RL as both admired my previous RL leatherwork and now my RLX which was their 'inspiration'). The perforated leather and stiching was done to the door panels, elevating the look quite nicely. I was astonished how much nicer it was than Honda factory grade leather and even nicer than some Acura models. I think that is a very fair price. From what they told me the two different upholsterers stated that was industry average pricing for pedestrian vehicles without customized work. They do it for dealers all the time. And based on what I saw, this was ONE instance where the dealer's statement that they could get it done 'better than factory'. When I took one of them to pick up the car, the shop had a new CRV there getting a two tone leather install, including wrapping the dash top and door panels with nice contrasting stitching. That CRV interior would put and RDX to shame.
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rlx015 (08-22-2016)
#20
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Closer to installation day, stay tuned
![Wink](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#22
2020 Acura RLX Advance
I have 2 associates who recently purchased in the same week, new Accords that did not have leather (which they wanted). The dealer offered to have it done, but both wisely contacted 2 different upholstery vendors. One paid $1450 and the other paid $1275 for virtually the same work and quality. The leather work is superior to the factory (although Honda leather is not as nice as the leather used in an Acura, particularly the RL). It was the seats (front and back), door panel inserts and armrests. Both opted for perforated leather (like the RL as both admired my previous RL leatherwork and now my RLX which was their 'inspiration'). The perforated leather and stiching was done to the door panels, elevating the look quite nicely. I was astonished how much nicer it was than Honda factory grade leather and even nicer than some Acura models. I think that is a very fair price. From what they told me the two different upholsterers stated that was industry average pricing for pedestrian vehicles without customized work. They do it for dealers all the time. And based on what I saw, this was ONE instance where the dealer's statement that they could get it done 'better than factory'. When I took one of them to pick up the car, the shop had a new CRV there getting a two tone leather install, including wrapping the dash top and door panels with nice contrasting stitching. That CRV interior would put and RDX to shame.
The rich, thick, and glove soft leather (and the seat itself) in my 2003 CL-S put the leather in my 2006 and 2012 RL to shame.
While the new Accord is a great car in many ways, the interior materials quality is a tremendous downgrade from the 1990-1993 Accord which probably set the high water mark for Honda interiors.
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TampaRLX-SH (08-21-2016)
#23
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
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