So your car is older but still mechanically sound and in good shape. However, the cloth seats are getting faded and a little threadbare in spots. That may be frustrating, but you certainly have options, such as treating yourself to new leather upholstery. This upgrade is quite common, and aftermarket leather kits have made it a relatively easy upgrade.
There are two options for having your seats covered in leather. The first option is to have a specialty automotive upholstery shop and have them custom cut, stitch, and install your seat coverings. This provides you wide latitude for customization and the opportunity to add custom colors, panels, stripes, and even embroidery. However, it is also costly and requires a craftsman to lay it out and put it together by hand. The alternative is an aftermarket leather kit. These can be done by less experienced technicians and are often much cheaper. The disadvantage is that you have no customization options, limited color selection, and they are only available for select models.
However, this is not generally a job recommended for a novice. Kits come from several companies and vary in price and quality, with options of real leather or faux leather material. Installed pricing ranges around $1,500 to $2,500. Also, it is important to note that these kits, for the most part, are designed to function with your vehicle’s airbags.
