On our '08 coupe I've noticed a tiny bit of fraying on the stitching around the seat bolster, right where you'd drag your butt across it when exiting or entering. I'm worried this will get worse over time. a couple things I've been doing to slow down the wear on this area:

1. I took a bar of beeswax and rubbed it along the stitching, with the thought that it should keep the stitching's fibers together. Anybody have thoughts on the beeswax idea?

2. I put my left hand over the bolster when getting in or out, that way the leather is not being abraded as you slide in and out. I got this tip from another car forum.

3. Lexol leather conditioner every couple weeks. It this too frequent?

I've looked at XF's that were several years old and did not see excessive wear around the leather or stitching, so I assume they use decent leather. I've had other cars with Connolly leather and the bolsters looked terrible after 5 years.

 

When I was in the Marine Corps, I was a Flight Equipment Tech (all the stuff the aircrew wears before hopping into the jet along with aircraft mounted goodies like Parachutes for one). Anyway, there were a lot of exposed stitching and that's exactly what we used. Before knotting the thread up, we'd run it along a brick of beeswax, tie it, knot it, and then take a lighter and melt the ends as to not fray. Now I know the lighter part isn't applicable to Crossfire stitching, but we did use the beeswax. Has a different consistency than candle wax. Plus beeswax is goo for lubricating zippers as well..


Justin

 

I think the beeswax is a good idea. The beeswax will not hurt the leather (in fact, I use a leather conditioner called Aussie which is predominantly beeswax on my boots, which see a lot more wear than car seats!) The beeswax acts as a lubricant which reduces the amount of friction between the threads and your clothing.

By the way, do you wear denim? Most denim jeans use metal rivets for fashion purposes and those things can literally slice through thread. Something to think about?

 

Beeswax is used frequently by "old time" blacksmiths to:

A. Preserve leather and cordage (string and twine).

B. Coat wrought iron to prevent rust.

I have an old buddy that's a "Mule Skinner", and he taught me a few things like that.

 

Yep, I know denim fabric is rough on leather, but I for got about those pesky rivets. Now I'll have to go through my closet!