Anyone ever tried to repair their leather seats?

My driver's seat has become worn on the corner ( due to getting in & out over the years) ...it just looks like a "scuffed" shoe at the moment, but I wondered how to stop it deteriorating further. Any ideas? Don't think a good drop of polish/leather restorer is going to cure this one!

I also wondered if it was possible to swap the seats over, as the passenger seat is immaculate. Obviously, if possible, this would have to be done at a garage, as I am no mechanic or electrician!

Any ideas gratefully received.

Thanks....in anticipation of any useful ideas!

 

Try black shoe polish and then buff.

 

You can take it to an automobile upholstery shop, I'm sure they can revitalize the condition of the leather through dying the leather and removing the wear spots. This should not cost very much money.
Dennis
DTMenace

 

I concur with the recommendation above. Ask around the car dealers in your area and see who they use for upholstery repairs. I doubt that any of them perform these types of repairs "in-house". They almost always contract it out to another service that specializes in this type of work. There are lots of shops that claim they can perform upholstery work. But the dealers usually have "weeded" them out and know which ones are good. Depending on the severity of the wear on the driver's seat, many of these upholstery service guys can perform the repairs right in your driveway or at your workplace. Getting to be just like replacing a windshield. Same can be said for repairing alloy wheels. These repair services can make a damaged alloy wheel look like new!

I looked at a 911 Porsche Carrera a few years back that had the sharp looking tan leather interior in it. Noticed during my inspection that the driver's seat had some typical wear on the side bolster from years of getting in & out of car. Mentioned it to salesman when we talked. Went back a couple of days later to look again and the driver's seat didn't have any sign of the wear on the side bolster. Salesman told me that their upholstery service fixed the car on the lot. Their upholstery service was A1!

 

You should avoid bumping into the bolster as you get it.

 

True, but if you have a fat **** like me, it's hard not to.

 

Its a common problem on all cars with leather after a few years of use, the side bolster gets a lot of hammer getting i and out, and the studded pockets on denims dont help.

Dont think you can swap the seats across as the adjuster switches would then be on the inside and difficult to reach.

I use boot polish on mine a couple of times a year and it hides the small amount of wear on my drivers seat bolster.

There are also some DIY touch up and renovation kits on the net which are easy to use, I bought one for another car and it was supplied with dye perfectly matched based on the car model, it just sponged on after applying a cleaner, and then a top coat of polish was applied, everything is supplied in the kit and it wasnt expensive.

Try googling car leather restoration kits.

 

A mobile upholstery repairman air-sprayed/dyed the driver's seat in my daily driver (2007 Acura TL) about a year ago. The side bolster in it was worn, and the back of the tan-colored seat had dark spots from my black leather jacket. Cost of the repair was $90 and it has held up well.

 

Di, I know someone who works wonders with motorcycle leathers! not sure if she would be into doing car seats. I will ask the question.
I may also know the whereabouts of a set of seats! again will see what I can do.