Caring for your new Katzkin Leather Interior

You just bought and installed your beautiful new Katzkin Leather Interior from ShopSAR.com, and before you've even had a chance to put away your hog ring pliers you've had your first spill.

Now what?!?!?

Maintaining you Katzkin Leather Upholstery is easy!

Katzkin uses only the finest imported automotive leathers. Each hide receives a special protective treatment during the tanning process, to preserve and protect the grain from dirt and stains that come from everyday use. Maintenance is easy! Just follow these simple cleaning recommendations below. 

Spots & Spills on your Katzkin Leather

Blot excess liquid immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge. If necessary, use clear, lukewarm water and gently wipe spill. If water is used, clean the entire area where the spill occurred. Dry with a clean towel and allow to air dry. Do not dry wet areas with heat dryers, hair dryers, etc. as this will damage the leather. 

For Stubborn Spots & Spills on your Katzkin Leather

Use a mild solution of Ivory® bar soap and clear, lukewarm water. Apply the soap solution to a clean, moist sponge or soft cloth and blot the area. 

Do not apply force or pressure, as the heat and friction of rubbing will damage the leather. Rinse and allow to air dry naturally. 

Do Not Use Saddle soaps, oils, abrasives, cleaners containing detergent (such as dishwashing liquids) Solvent-based cleaners (such as mineral spirits) Varnish or ammonia water or silicone-based products These types of cleaners will cause damage to the protective top coat of the leather and may void your warranty. 

Note regarding Blue Dye Transfer:

Some clothing items (such as darker jeans) contain dyes which may transfer to lighter color upholstery surfaces, including lighter color automotive leathers.  This dye transfer occurs naturally over time and does not reflect a defect in the finish of the leather. If you are concerned about the possibility of blue dye transfer, we recommend that you consider a darker color for your leather interior.

LiquiCell Seat Inserts for Automobiles

Since we began selling Liquicell gel seat inserts as an option with Katzkin Leather Upholstery Kits around a decade ago, we've been really happy to see so many customers come back to us thrilled with their purchase. These individual thin gel pads (we've heard them compared to thick uncooked chicken cutlets) install between your factory foam and your new leather, acting much in the same way as "Dr. Scholl's" pads do for your feet. They aren't much to look at, but between your reviews and the science, we are sold!

“I am a sales rep who is in the car about 5,000 miles per month. I have had general discomfort and minor pain related to being in the car for long periods of time. I have been using [the] LiquiCell car seat pad for about 4 months. This pad makes sitting for extended periods of time very tolerable. No longer do I feel sore, stiff or fatigued when I get off the road for theday. I do not think I could go back to driving without LiquiCell’s seat pad.” - Kirk Hanson, Manufacturer’s Sales Representative

Using an innovative combination of a low viscosity fluid and strategically placed seal points that control the flow of liquid, LiquiCell reduces discomfort associated with prolonged contact between your body and your car, truck, or SUV seat. By equalizing perpendicular pressure at the point of contact (thus reducing pressure), soft tissue compression is greatly reduced thereby significantly reducing skin friction and soft tissue shear stress. Each LiquiCell pad is specifically designed - thin, light weight and extremely pliable - comprised of two urethane membranes sealed around a low viscosity liquid. Seal points control the flow of liquid to equalize pressure and provide a cushiony lubrication at the point of contact on the body. Under normal usage and operations LiquiCell will not burst or leak unless the outer skin is physically punctured or degraded.

• Over 150% improvement in circulation
• Reduces soreness in tailbone & back
• Sit in comfort everywhere you go
• Customizable for all vehicle seats and compatible with heated seats

Get more information on our Liquicell Product Page!

Katzkin Leather Care and Maintainence

Katzkin Leather Upholstery Kits have received a protective treatment during the tanning process, which will protect the grain from the soiling and staining of everyday use. If necessary, we recommend the following procedures for cleaning:

For Spots and Spills: Blot excess liquid immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge. If necessary, use clear, lukewarm water and gently wipe spill. If water is used, clean the entire area where the spill occurred. Dry with a clean towel and allow to air dry. Do not dry wet areas with heat dryers, hair dryers, etc. as this will damage the leather. 

For Stubborn Spots and Stains: Use a mild solution of Ivory bar soap and clear, lukewarm water. Apply the soap to a clean wet sponge and blot the affected area. Do not apply force or pressure, as the heat and friction of rubbing will damage the leather. Rinse and allow to air dry naturally.

DO NOT USE: Any Saddle soaps, oils, abrasives, cleaners containing detergent (such as dishwashing liquids), solvent-based cleaners (such as mineral spirits), varnish or ammonia water or silicone-based products as these types of cleaners will cause damage to the protective top coat of the leather and may void your warranty. Your leather has already been preserved in the tanning process and needs no maintenance other than the simple cleaning recommended.

We highly recommend using KATZKIN LEATHER LOTION available on ShopSAR.com for regular conditioning of your seats to keep them looking new for years to come! 

Foose Designed Leather Kits at ShopSAR.com!

ShopSAR.com is proud to present a new line of amazing Katzkin Leather kits personally designed by Chip Foose, the legendary international automotive designer and star of television’s "Overhaulin”.

"I am excited to take my relationship with Katzkin to the next level through our licensing agreement,” said Foose. "Katzkin has the highest quality leathers and their craftsmanship and stitching is outstanding. I’m excited to see my concepts come to life, from my design to your car.”

Chip has designed exclusive Katzkin interiors for several popular models, including the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 and Ford Mustang.

To see if we have a Foose Katzkin kit for your vehicle click here!

Installing Headrests from your Katzkin Kit

In our latest installation video the ShopSAR restlylers give you some tips for a successful install on some brand new headrest covers which are included as past of a Katzkin Upholstery Kit.

Just remember these three tips if you are tackling this job yourself:

1.       You must compress the foam.

2.       You must firmly grip the new cover in a way that you support and protect the seams as they can easily split and tear during install.

3.       Cover the foam with a thin plastic bag. Two great examples are a dry cleaning bag and the grocery store fruits and veggie bag. 

Watch the video and enjoy your new interior!

Zkintech - The Newest Look From the Leather Experts at Katzkin

"Consumers have come to expect a full interior transformation, not just leather seating."

Katzkin has met this challenge by taking interior design to the next level. With their new Zkintech series they introduce a new collection of design choices that offer an elegant enhancement of the factory look with tailored stitch lines, all the way to elevated luxury with additional hints of color, texture and detail.

More single tone interiors with tailored details like stitches and perforation. Seats wraps are high contrast to the rest of the interior. More use of seat faces, not inserts or body. Katzkin’s new line of exclusive designs feature tailored stitch and trim options on some of their best selling leather interiors including:

• Hyundai Sonata
• Ford Mustang (Coupe and Convertible)
• Chevrolet Tahoe
• Chevrolet Silverado
• Chevrolet Suburban
• GMC Sierra
• GMC Yukon
• Honda Accord Sedan
• Toyota Tundra Crewmax
• Ram 1500
• Jeep Wrangler

These kits may come in several colors designed to compliment the factory interior, but cannoy be customized further (ex. different two-tone combinations, embroideries, etc.) and each style is specific to the vehicle that Katzkin has designed it for. 

Zkintech Leather Upholstery Kits can be previewed and ordered by clicking here!

Katzkin Leather - A Guide to Buy Online at ShopSAR.com

So you have decided to buy a Katzkin upholstery kit online? Whether you are upgrading from cloth seats to leather or replacing an old worn factory leather interior, a Katzkin replacement upholstery kit will dramatically transform your vehicle’s interior. Katzkin kits are manufactured in Montebello, California. Each kit is made to your specifications, and because they are custom ‘made-to-order’, they cannot be canceled, refused or returned . So how do you keep this a positive experience and ensure that you have ordered correctly?

There are two important rules to follow that will insure that you are buying the correct kit:

Rule #1 - Choose the right pattern. Understanding your vehicle’s seat specifications will make this process easier and less confusing when viewing the different pattern choices available online. Carefully look over your front and back seats. Pay attention to headrests, armrests, airbags, seating capacity, consoles, etc. Then compare your vehicle configuration to the available pattern details on the website. Familiarizing yourself with the details of your seats and the terminology will allow you to better understand the available options. But don’t worry, our Katzkin specialists at ShopSAR will email you after an order has been placed online, and before the kit is manufactured. This email will review the details of the seat specifications on your vehicle to ensure that you have ordered the correct pattern.

Rule #2 -  Choose the right colors. ShopSAR provides a reference chart which outlines all of the factory interior color names for most vehicles over the last 10 years and cross references the Katzkin recommended color for that interior. Don’t be fooled – different auto companies have different names for the same color, and similar names for different colors! If you are thinking about two-tone or customizing your kit with exotic materials, we recommend using the Katzkin sample book to make your final decision. With the disparity in monitor settings we know it can be tough to make an important choice like your vehicle's leather color selection by staring at a screen on your computer, smartphone or tablet. A sample swatch book is available from ShopSAR.com. The book contains all of the Katzkin materials and colors, including ‘Suedezkins’ and ‘Exotics’. Using the sample book is the most accurate way to choose your color. The best part is that the full cost, including shipping of the sample book is refunded when you purchase your kit from ShopSAR. And again, don’t worry, our Katzkin specialists at ShopSAR will email you after an order has been placed online but before your kit is manufactured. This email will review your color selections if we see that you didn’t get a sample book or if you have chosen a non-recommended color.

Lastly, you don’t have to order on the computer. If for any reason you are unsure of your vehicle details or the terminology used, not comfortable with ordering online or just want to speak with someone, call us! Everyone has a cell phone and every cell phone has a camera. Take pictures of your front and back seats and email them to us. We will walk you through the process and take your order over the phone. ShopSAR values your business and wants the process of buying a Katzkin kit to be a positive and trouble free experience.

Katzkin Leather Interiors

Katzkin leather interiors constitute a dramatic upgrade not only in the areas of feel, wear and the possibility of staying cooler, but also as an improvement in style. Katzkin has always been renowned for producing high-quality car leather upholstery, and their leather seats make for spectacular interior styling in cars.

Katzkin has been manufacturing custom leather interiors since 1986, and they have a number of impressive relationships across the automotive industry. These include being the official leather supplier for Ford Motor Company and Shelby American, Inc., as well as being the only tested and approved leather seat accessory for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat cars. Clearly, they are one of the most trusted sources of leather upholstery in the industry, and their quality and performance is unmatched.