leather seat repairs needed

[KEELY444]

My drivers seat is in need of some work.My passenger seat is in great shape.I was
checking on options and the first shop wanted about $1500 for a pair of covers and about $350 to install. has anyone had just the bottom of the seat redone with good results? Second what about the side of the seat that shows the wear.does the dying and conditioning bring it back to an original look?

[FrinkFrog]

I had that same problem.. a little worse actually. I tried re-stitching with a curved sail needle and then later, taking the cover off completely and sewing from underneath. I think my main problem had more to do with the leather being so stiff (and I even tried reconditioning the skins both on and off the foam with Leathertique) I eventually gave up on them and bought a beautiful set of replacements from swap meet. To get good quality recovering, you will pay about what you were quoted. The cheap kits on eBay don't really look that good.

[Plecostomus]

I always wondered it the original seats can be restored to v. Good condition, or replicated to stock original form. I see so many terrible restoration jobs some guys do.

[KEELY444]

Any before and after pictures?

[RSTarga]

Just send them to Tony at Autobahninteriors. I think you'll be ahppier and it wil be a professional job.

[dhagood]

Originally Posted by FrinkFrog

I had that same problem.. a little worse actually. I tried re-stitching with a curved sail needle and then later, taking the cover off completely and sewing from underneath. I think my main problem had more to do with the leather being so stiff (and I even tried reconditioning the skins both on and off the foam with Leathertique) I eventually gave up on them...

i have two seams on my driver's seat where the thread has evidently rotted and the seams are coming apart. the leather is also very stiff.

i had hoped to take the seat out and restitch the leather. what was the problem with restitching?

[KEELY444]

Has anyone used the Gahh seat kits.It looks like you can just buy a seat bottom (all Leather) for about $420.

[FrinkFrog]

Well, the problem was deeper once I got the skins off. Besides lots of rotted thread and not being sure just how far I had to restitch, the linen pouches that hang down into the grooves of the foam (that have the stiff wire rod running through them and are hog ringed to the frame) were all rotted and disintegrating too. I actually got some material, cut new pouch pieces and attempted to sew it all back together. I'm very patient and do like to repair when possible. The leather was very greasy from all the Leathertique I had applied trying to get the stiffness out of the seats so the needle was constantly slipping, I was constantly swearing... I'd stop to drink Jack straight out of the bottle (not really)... but you get the picture. A friend had an extra set of SC seats for sale and though not leather (uber nice black pinstripe velvour with black vinyl) the price was unbeatable as he got them at a swap meet. Problem solved and I had more time to move onto more important things. The Gahh kits look good and I'd say that would be a viable solution for Keely444 (and maybe even my old seats someday).

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by KEELY444

Any before and after pictures?

Before:



After seat bottom cover replacement (GAHH) and bolster panel replacement $200 labor install cost for cover and bolster repair.



Prepping for Leatherique re-dye



After:

[MattKellett]

What's the deal with the wrinkles in the side bolster, I think I'd go back to the upholsterer and get them to fix that. It should be smooth and a professional shop should be able to fix this.

But overall, way better than the before shots of course

[FrinkFrog]

I think it looks great and the wrinkles in the bolster wouldn't bother me that much. I may go this route with my original seats once I save enough $.

[mthomas58]

Based on the improvement from the first pic, the wrinkles don't bother me a bit. Only a critical eye sees it and in the grand scheme of things (sorting a car nearly 25 years old) its not significant. I was thrilled to get this done for $200 labor plus the cost of the seat cover (approx $425) vs the $1,500 estimate I got from the leather upholstry shop the dealer referred me to. The only thing I would do differently would have been to direct the shop not to use a light colored scrap of leather to replace the bolster panel as it is in a "high wear location" and now, after 2 1/2 years of heavy wear as a daily driver, the cream color is beginning to show through where a darker base color would not be quite as noticeable. Additionally, I probably did not prepare the surface good enough for the dye to properly adhere. I'll need to do a re-dye soon.

[jibmaster1]

Guys I often don't chime in to posts like this and I always feel a little guilty passing on recommendations for other sites when our host sells covers through a vendor here (I believe Autos intl' for seat covers), but I buy plenty of things through Pelican so... Anyhow, I just purchased a full set of (2) German leather covers for my Sport Seats in my 85' cab for $625 Oh yeah, perforated inserts too and an extra hide to cover the rest of the full leather interior. I was very skeptical as I have been burned on lower costs 'deals' on flea-bay. However, the guy at Diamond Mall answered EVERY email promptly (and I had A LOT) before I pulled the trigger. I am very impressed with the quality of the product. I have not installed the covers yet as I am involved in building a detached garage/shop/apt, but I will post up pics as soon as I do. BTW he took the sample I sent him and he matched it perfectly after sending he sent out a couple of navy blue samples he had in stock. Anyhow, fyi for anyone looking for what I think is a very decently priced alternative to some of the outrageous prices for leather replacements! Cheers.

[FrinkFrog]

Jibmaster1,

Yes, please post photos of finished product when install is complete. Auto Int'. are very, very good. I have seen their work close up and it is excellent, albeit pricey. I re-did my girlfriend's Miata seats with new leather covers several years ago and even though I cannot remember where I sourced them, they came out looking very well. I have a friend who showed me a set he recovered using a leather kit sourced on eBay and they looked very bad. He was going to take them off and try something else. I'm interested in how these Diamond Mall ones look in the end.

[DRACO A5OG]

+1 please post.

as far as Dye's I Kiwi Dye mine every 6 months, it still looks great, just let it cure over night before sitting on it.

[jibmaster1]

I will I promise. I am actually going to attempt this recover myself too! Never one to back down on a challenge! What's the worst that can happen? I still would take them in and pay to have them "tightened up". It seems having additional foam or felt to aid in getting the bolsters to shape up is key. I'm going for it! I mean a few shops want $200-$250 per seat to just place the covers on. I'm sure I will be thinking that is super reasonable the time I'm done with them Lol! Alright, keep you guys posted when I get around to this. DRACO-KIWI Dye!! Nice man.

[KEELY444]

I would like to see things as they progress.Good luck

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by jibmaster1

DRACO-KIWI Dye!! Nice man.

I cannot take credit, it was in Dr Wayne's 101 Book , apparently dealers do this all the time