Cloth to Leather
 

So I'm installing a new seat cover in my truck. It's a replacement to look and fit exactly like the original, so I need to remove the original vinyl in it first, and install the new one on top of the pad. Didn't know how it would go, but seems to be quite easy.

I was wondering, has anyone ever done something like this on an HHR? Is it possible or feasible to take cloth seats, remove the cloth and install factory leather in place? I hate cleaning the cloth, and I like the looks of the leather!

This isn't something I'd do for a while...if ever. Just wondering if anyone has done it before.

It can be done, however it would probably be cheaper to buy a set of leather seats from a wreck.

Trick to leather is to 'steam' it to make it more pliable. A small steam cleaner works well.

Leather
 

The factory leather seats also come with seat heaters. I agree that getting the used ones from a wreck is the most cost-effective way to go. With my 2LT, I deliberately purchased a used vehicle loaded with as many factory options (except the automatic transmission) as possible. I wanted to get a "head start" on modifications, and not retrace what was already available from GM.

One other tip:

If buying from a wreck, check for cleanliness. Blood stains are hard to remove from dyed leather.

You can replace the seats with wrecking yard seats, maybe even Ebay seats. You can also get leather seat upholstery from companies like Katskin.

you might want to look close I believe the leather seats have more side bolster than the factory cloth seats. If that's true you cannot just use the leather covers from the stock seats.

Thanks for all the feedback guys! LIke I said, I don't plan on doing this, I was just wondering if it can be done, or if anyone has done it. I don't think I'd risk doing something like this myself on a car this nice and new.

Eric-
Someone here did it on their HHR. Can't remember who it was.. But same deal, except for the power seat & pass seat safety wiring underneath..

A while back I added fitted seat covers to my HHR, fit like a glove !!!

Which seat covers, sleeper? I gotta get rid of (or cover) the cloth.......

Greybeard-

Some options:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...ht=seat+covers

Thanks for the link, sleeper, looks like you went with a fabric, I was thinking "fitted leather" when you just said "fitted"....... my bad. :red:

I didn't see anyone on that link that used leather, tho' I easily miss things anymore......... I'll keep looking around, still leaning towards a leather cover. Would be nice if I didn't have to re-stitch everything to get a good fit... my hands can't do that kind of work anymore. :(