Katzkin problems - Updated with photos!

[JLRyder]

Reason I ask:

Also, I noticed your kit had a different style of leather (mine is perforated). Not sure if that indicates it’s for a different setup than your rig (maybe even a different Jeep?)

Bought my Jeep used in 2020 and these were already installed, what you see is about 4 years of wear and still feel very tight on the seat. Overall I’m impressed with them (for what they are). Hope this helps somehow, looking at the pictures you provided, I would ? agree something is either wrong with your kit or the way it was installed. The smell leads me to wonder if you didn’t get a Chinese knockoff.

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[Punknhed]

I just had katzkins installed on my jeep in January of this year. I do not have all the wrinkles you have, have not noticed any deformations like you have when you press on the leather (if i lean on it hard i may get a "dent" but it goes away quickly ) and i damn sure didnt have any smell issues with mine. No clue why on earth your installer put those in. I will say i have had my passenger seat out a couple of times, and the clips for the wires are a pain in the ass to put back in. That may be why the installer did not put them back in, still no excuse but at least its a reason. As far as your backseat like others have said that's definitely an installer issue. I also did front and rear and my leathers are all the same. I will say that I did have a couple of small wrinkles here n there but it has warmed up here in Virginia and they have since disappeared. I can take a picture of my back seat and post it so you can see/use it if need be to get urs fixed.

link below to some pics of mine

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/2023-punkin-de-redding.125831/#post-2629512

 

[bjeepz]

Reason I ask:

Also, I noticed your kit had a different style of leather (mine is perforated). Not sure if that indicates it’s for a different setup than your rig (maybe even a different Jeep?)

Bought my Jeep used in 2020 and these were already installed, what you see is about 4 years of wear and still feel very tight on the seat. Overall I’m impressed with them (for what they are). Hope this helps somehow, looking at the pictures you provided, I would ? agree something is either wrong with your kit or the way it was installed. The smell leads me to wonder if you didn’t get a Chinese knockoff.

There is no Mopar logo, just Katzkin on both sides of the tag. I placed the order directly with Katzkin so don't suspect a knock off. Might as well be a knock off though as the product is not good.

Your seats look good.

 

[bjeepz]

I just had katzkins installed on my jeep in January of this year. I do not have all the wrinkles you have, have not noticed any deformations like you have when you press on the leather (if i lean on it hard i may get a "dent" but it goes away quickly ) and i damn sure didnt have any smell issues with mine. No clue why on earth your installer put those in. I will say i have had my passenger seat out a couple of times, and the clips for the wires are a pain in the ass to put back in. That may be why the installer did not put them back in, still no excuse but at least its a reason. As far as your backseat like others have said that's definitely an installer issue. I also did front and rear and my leathers are all the same. I will say that I did have a couple of small wrinkles here n there but it has warmed up here in Virginia and they have since disappeared. I can take a picture of my back seat and post it so you can see/use it if need be to get urs fixed.

link below to some pics of mine

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/2023-punkin-de-redding.125831/#post-2629512

A lot of nice work on your Jeep. I like your seat design, they look great.

Thanks for the offer of pics if needed.

I also aboslutely had to watch David S Pumpkin after looking at your Jeep!

 

[bjeepz]

I am about to go outside and take the front seats out to try to remedy the residue of those scent packets left over in the carpets. Hopefully it doesn't start snowing on me while doing this!

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Push into the back seat with your finger. If the indentation is smooth, it's not leather, but vinyl. When you push into leather, you will see little pucker lines all around your finger. I suspect you got vinyl in the back. The tiny little sewn in parts where the ass and the small of the back hit may be leather, but the rest is likely vinyl.

Check with Katzkins what they specify. Call them to complain. Maybe they will intervene with where you purchased them, if they are an authorized dealer. If they aren't an authorized dealer, then you will have to hash it out with them. Looks like they are not installed properly.

Oh and those scent wafers, WTF! Looks like they are made from the same nasty stuff as those little tree shaped things.

 

[Punknhed]

A lot of nice work on your Jeep. I like your seat design, they look great.

Thanks for the offer of pics if needed.

I also aboslutely had to watch David S Pumpkin after looking at your Jeep!

thank you. no problem.

 

[Wbino]

I installed carpet as a young boy... this just needs a kicker.....

 

[bjeepz]

Push into the back seat with your finger. If the indentation is smooth, it's not leather, but vinyl. When you push into leather, you will see little pucker lines all around your finger. I suspect you got vinyl in the back. The tiny little sewn in parts where the ass and the small of the back hit may be leather, but the rest is likely vinyl.

Check with Katzkins what they specify. Call them to complain. Maybe they will intervene with where you purchased them, if they are an authorized dealer. If they aren't an authorized dealer, then you will have to hash it out with them. Looks like they are not installed properly.

Oh and those scent wafers, WTF! Looks like they are made from the same nasty stuff as those little tree shaped things.

I’ve been in contact with Katzkin, the purchase was direct with them.

Ya those wafers are trash. The idiot installer put them at the heat vents under the seats, the company that makes them specifically states not to expose to heat.

You’re likely correct about vinyl in the rear, it behaves as you indicate.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Does Katzkin advertise them as "leather seating surfaces" or leather. Leather seating surfaces mean you get a leather only for your butt and back. Everything else around it is vinyl.

 

[bjeepz]

Current

I will see if washing the carpets finally gets the smell from the stench wafers out. The smell was evident when I put hit water on the carpet. Now just a bit of soap residue.

 

[rohdawg]

Reason I ask:

Also, I noticed your kit had a different style of leather (mine is perforated). Not sure if that indicates it’s for a different setup than your rig (maybe even a different Jeep?)

Bought my Jeep used in 2020 and these were already installed, what you see is about 4 years of wear and still feel very tight on the seat. Overall I’m impressed with them (for what they are). Hope this helps somehow, looking at the pictures you provided, I would ? agree something is either wrong with your kit or the way it was installed. The smell leads me to wonder if you didn’t get a Chinese knockoff.

Great observation but I believe what you have is the factory installed option that comes with the Katzkin-Mopar branded seats. Kinda like the Sunrider you can get from the factory. It’s a Bestop but Mopar branded.

 

[AC77]

Had Katzkin installed two weeks ago, and went with charcoal grey and red stitching to match the Rubicon stitching. The installation isn't the best and the smell seems to be getting worse, not better. The smell is mixed with leather and strong chemicals, it stinks. Proper leather smell is nice but WTH. I've contacted Katzkin and will wait for a response.

Has anybody else noticed a chemical odour on their Katzkins? I understand off-gassing periods when dyes are used and am hopeful it will improve very soon. I always leave a window open to air it out but for the price of this custom leather I'd have been fine without them as a bit less comfort of the factory cloth was preferred over this offensive stink.

I will post pics tmrw.

Update* I realize my initial post isn't very clear on my list of problems..

- I got a call from the installer about 1/2 day earlier than expected saying it is ready, it is a nice sunny Friday...

- I arrived and looked in the Jeep before going in, loose leather on both front seats. I mentioned this to the installer and was told that the sun would heat them and tighten them. I inform I am aware of these statements and the very mixed feedback. He says maybe you'll have to come back. WTH, there's a 1/2 day of work left, but again sunny Friday.

- The Katzkins are more comfortable than the factory cloth so I am happy about that. I had a 225-mile drive home from the nearest installer.

- As time passed I noticed the smell was getting stronger and worse, it was not pleasant. I live in Canada where it is still winter, so heat is needed. I start to notice the smell is making me sick when the heat is on the floor. I wonder if something else is going on because the smell is not nice warm leather but a burning plastic chemical odour.

- I mention the smell to others who agree there is something wrong.

- I mostly have the rear seat down for my dog to have a big comfy space and didn't initially notice that the rear seat is a harder shinier finish, it doesn't look or feel the same as the front seats.

- I report the issue to Katzkin.

- I'm going nuts with the smell problem and start thinking I need to trade this Jeep in even though it is two months old!

- I look under the seats and note the installer left clips undone with wires loose, at the same time I spot a little orange square on the floor that doesn't belong there, some kind of 'leather air freshener' that stunk like the problem smell, the heat being on seemed to active it. Found another later under the passenger seat.

- The leather is so soft and loose I am afraid that my dog will ruin it, he's been in all my Jeeps and trucks with leather with no problem. As many of us with dogs know proper leather is much preferred when having a dog in vehicles.


Sorry for the long update to this post. I should have made a better initial post.

Update* it has been a week with nothing but a couple of text messages back from Katzkin saying they're following protocol.

As you can see in the photos the leather is very soft and loose, I can make it look smooth but it generally looks like crap. These photos are just the tip of the iceberg on this poor quality product. I need better light to get better pics that show the shiny fake leather look of the rear vs fronts. I would never consider purchasing fake leather or leather blend products as they're just not worth the cost but seems I got scammed into this with Katzkin.

what i would do if it was my car, and I've done this on my Supra's new leather skins, i bought a steamer from harbor freight , using a cloth cover on the steamers hose end, you will basically be ironing the leather/pleather and stretch the material and at the same time it will vulcanize the material, apply the steam in 3-5 second increments around the wrinkled areas. It worked for my Supra's Napa leather ...

 

[Good jeep]

I was talking with Katzkin about new seats. I picked out color and thread color and they sent me pictures of the complete product. I think I will hold off and maybe go to a shop and have them do leather seats for me.
I just don't want to have the experience you had and the quality you got.

 

[bjeepz]

what i would do if it was my car, and I've done this on my Supra's new leather skins, i bought a steamer from harbor freight , using a cloth cover on the steamers hose end, you will basically be ironing the leather/pleather and stretch the material and at the same time it will vulcanize the material, apply the steam in 3-5 second increments around the wrinkled areas. It worked for my Supra's Napa leather ...

I appreciate the suggestion, I was considering this. The leather is very sloppy in some areas.

I am working on a resolution with Katzkin.

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