Softening Leather on Seats

Tim Polzin · 01-07-2003, 06:58 AM

OK, whats the trick for softening up the leather tops on my seats. I've tried a product called Soffener, used Lexol, Neatsfoot oil, etc and the leather still feels much like limp cardboard.

Is that as good as it gets?

Thanks...Tim

AFJuvat · 01-07-2003, 07:04 AM

Had good luck with Mink Oil

AFJuvat

jmohn · jmohn's Garage

www.leatherique.com

Jerry M
'78 SC

APKhaos · 01-07-2003, 07:07 AM

The Surflex Soffner didn't work for you?
That stuff is outstanding, although you need to lash it on, then wrap the seat in plastic to ensure it soaks in before it evaporates.

Chuck Moreland · 01-07-2003, 07:23 AM

I've used the plastic wrap technique with Lexol with outstanding results. Let it sit for a couple of hours.

It may take a couple applications, do it every few months or so until they are good and soft.

Tim Polzin · 01-07-2003, 07:31 AM

I've used the plastic approach with the Soffner as well as with the neatsfoot oil. Used a pint of Soffner over the course of two weeks.

How soft should these seats get? To me they still feel pretty stiff. Certainly not supple.

Tinker · 01-07-2003, 07:35 AM

I`ll second Jerry M.`s recommendation of Leatherique. The stuff is awesome. Wife`s leather seats were exactly as you stated, cardboard like. After a few applications.....nice and soft. Get their cleaner, works well.

No interest in the company, just a happy customer.

Tinker

RickM · RickM's Garage

My guess is that there's only so much you're going to get out of this type of leather. I would venture to say that supple leather doesn't wear, clean or support as well in long term situations. Was the seat "supple" in texture when new? Probably not.

Decolliber · 01-07-2003, 07:50 AM

I also found that Leatherique worked very well in softening up my leather seats.

makaio · 01-07-2003, 10:26 AM

This may sound way odd, but I have had great results with Rawlings baseball glove oil. I got the tip off this board.

Tim Polzin · 01-07-2003, 11:26 AM

Just how supple should the leather be? Mine are to the point of being flexable, but still feel stiff, definately not soft. I remember touring the Porsche Factory a few years ago, and the leather they were using on 993s sure felt softer than mine.

I'll leave the current treatment on for another week and see what happens. The treatments suggested by Leatherque and Carcareonline are pretty well exactly what I've been doing.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions.

Tim

Amac · Amac's Garage

Tim,
I bought a 81 930 3yrs ago that had the same problem
with the drivers seat. I was going to have the seat
recovered, but the uphostery shop said try "saddle
soap" on it. It worked great, just rub it in well with a
wet cloth. Let is set overnight, put another coat and
buff it off. The seats where black and it even brought
back the color. I sold the car to a friend, still looks great!
Give it a try, It might work for you too!

Eric Coffey · 01-07-2003, 01:12 PM

Tim-

I bet it's pretty cold in Alberta this time of year. Is the car in a heated garage? Just a thought, but you may try the Lexol/soffner approach again, but stick an electric mini-space heater in the car (pass. footwell should be safe) to get the seats/cockpit nice and toasty. This should open up the leather to help the softener/conditioner penetrate better. A lot of those leather products/oils start to solidify at colder temperatures, so you probably won't get great results with cold product on cold seats. Again, this is just a theory.

Tim Polzin · 01-07-2003, 01:52 PM

Believe it or not, 16C in Calgary yesterday (about 60f). If this is global warming, I like it.

Good thought about the heat Eric, but the garage is attached to the house and has in-floor radient heating. Pretty much an even 15C most of the time. Perhaps a little more heat would help.