I want to upgrade the cloth interior of my 2003 LX sedan to beige leater. I can afford a kit, but would need to install it myself. Has anyone else done this upgrade?

I'm fairly handy, but need advice on exactly how difficult this would be. It seems to me that the most difficult part would be removing the door panels.

I've read instructions and they all talk about hog-rings and hog-ring pliers and such. I don't have any experience using these, but I think I understand the process.

Should I attempt this?

 

if a fairly easy process... just very time consuming. To sum it up, the metal hog rings hold the leather in the "creases" in the seats... to give it a fit look.

You can always look for an upholstery shop in your area, and have them install the kit. It shouldnt be too expensive, and it may come out better than if you did it yourself. (Not doubting your skills, just saying)

Another option would be to purchase a whole set of seats and door panels from a wrecked car (or even someone that wants to trade). You might be able to find a complete interior for less than the price of a leather kit and instalation. Then it would just be a bolt-in instalation for the most part.

 

If the door panels are anything like the 98-02 (which I assume they are similar) the panels themselves are easy to remove, but the cloth doors are different from the leather. I recently got complete leather seats in my 99 (seats from an 02) and then covered the door sections in matching leather. Removing the entire panels are easy, but covering the cloth intended panels with leather was a real pain because the panel wasn't meant to be wrapped in leather...the cloth was just glued on, not wrapped around, so I had to do the same thing with the leather.

I'd recommend at least buying some leather door panel inserts from a leather equipped Accord.

Here's my threads on the matter:

Seats: https://www.honda-acura.net/forums/s...hlight=jschmid

Panels: https://www.honda-acura.net/forums/s...hlight=jschmid

I've seen some OEM factory leather kits on ebay, as well as the occasional complete seats for sale. I got the whole seats, with power driver and passenger seats. This required me to run some wires for power to the seats, but it turned out nice and was relatively easy.

If I had to do it again, I'd try and find some leather door panels rather than wrapping mine myself. My way was ultra cheap ($10 a door), and they turned out fine, they just took too long. I was sick of it after doing just one haha. I know one guy got the leather door inserts (the plastic peice wrapped in leather) and was able to modify his LX non leather doors to allow the insert to fit.

Just some ideas to give you your options.