Leather seat restoration/

[SLO-BOB]

Has anyone had experience with having leather seats restored? Mine are the tan variety. They look pretty good for being 27 years old, but they could look better-I hope. Can they be revitalized professionally or with some magic elixer. Like say....vaseline?

[epbrown]

www.leatherique.com
www.colorplus.com

Emanuel

[scottb]

Leatherique is magic! Really works well.

[ausgezeichnet]

A buddy of mine has restored several antique cars and he swears by needsfoot oil (the greasless kind). You can get it at any fine leather store.

Passier Lederbalsam is also very popular with horse people for leather saddles. You can get it at any tack shop. It's also a german product so it should be compatible with Porsches!

It might help cleaning the leather first with saddle soap.

[scottb]

Saddle soap actually dries leather. The Leatherique system works in two parts. First there's a cleaner. Once the seats are clean, then a restorative oil is applied. As I said before, Leatherique is magic in a bottle!

[chuckr]

You do have the option of getting new factory leather and having
your seats recovered..... good as new.... for about 900 a seat !
Leatherique is what I use otherwise. Lexol makes a Neetsfoot Oil
that will soften up old leather if used poperly.

[Rot 911]

Leatherique!

[diy83sc]

Sebring,

I used the ColorPlus system and am very satisfied with the results. Read the "About Leather" document at their site as this is the process I followed. Just last night, I sprayed the rear side panels. This was after using the cleaner, conditioner, and a quick dry laquer thinner to wipe clean the surface. The rear seat tray and rear cushions were done about 4 months ago; I did not want to tackle the front seats/door panels/dash during the peak of the driving season I plan to do the seats and door panels over the winter, and the dash when I get around to replacing the seal.

Best to look around until you find a product you like. I took the lead from a couple guys in Chatham that resore 356's. Much to my surprise, it is very rewarding.

Tony

Side panels after cleaning (note the sun bleaching)


Panels removed from interior


Panels replaced (the rear tray has Lexol on it and looks slightly darker. Side panels will get the same after 30 days.)


Not too good of a picture, but compared to the door panel and the forward vertical "moulding", it is like new!)


Another view of the finshed/unfinished sun bleached interior.

[Wrecked944]

Is there a secret to getting the leatherique folks to actually deliver your order? I've placed two orders with them in the past three years and recieved no product. Needless to say, I'm not gonna try for strike three.

[epbrown]

Huh, I didn't know that - I always ordered mine through the Rolls-Royce Owners Club since that's what first put me onto it - lots of RR owners recommended it for my dried-out seats. I've never tried to get anything from Leatherique themselves.

[scottb]

Originally posted by JanusCole
Is there a secret to getting the leatherique folks to actually deliver your order? I've placed two orders with them in the past three years and recieved no product. Needless to say, I'm not gonna try for strike three.

I've had nothing but good luck with them. My order showed up in a week, and they quickly responded to e-mail questions.

[Wrecked944]

Okay, well based on that advice I just called and left a message with them to follow up on my last order. Fingers crossed.

[Rot 911]

Same as Scott, order from them direct, online, and no problem!

[Wrecked944]

Well, they made good. They just returned my call, I sent a copy of the receipt from paypal (dated Aug 2) and they agreed to resend the stuff. Maybe I really have been the victim of nothing more than bad luck.

[scottb]

Originally posted by JanusCole
Well, they made good. They just returned my call, I sent a copy of the receipt from paypal (dated Aug 2) and they agreed to resend the stuff. Maybe I really have been the victim of nothing more than bad luck.

Good result. They're good people, so this doesn't come as a surprise!

[Oldporsche]

There are a lot of good products out there.

I like working with the folks at Tandy or Leather Factory. Neetsfoot oil can be had at any farm supply store far cheaper than the leather hobby stores. Its often pure neetsfoot from them also. The leather restoration products that contain neetsfoot oil are often mixes.

Sometimes talking with your shoe repair shop, tack and saddle shop or the Redwing Shoe dealer will give you a lot of information also.

Good luck,
David Duffield

[anthony]

Has anyone every used the Leatherique dye product to dye tan seats to black?