Sheep Skin Seat Covers -

[JK McDonald]

What is the best method to use when trying to clean up a pair of sheepskin seat covers ? I retrieved a nice set out of my latest project vehicle (85 5-speed) that had been crammed down behind the front seats for a while.

Those 928 leather seats are well built, but can be a bit uncomfortable on a frosty morning. I have been promising my wife to replace the beach towel she uses as a buffer in Miss Purdy (84 Auto) until her side warms up. I joking call her a “woman to ride the river with” - Like the frontier wives in one of Louis L’amour’s westerns. Those women willingly lash down everything they own to a raft while helping their husband push off into a raging river and into the unknown. Ha....

Thanks for any comments, Michael

[JK McDonald]

Well, one of my buddies told me what not to do. After he had run his black sheepskin seat covers through the gentle cycle of a washing machine and a dose of baby shampoo, they came out a lot softer but was now an oblong shade of blotchy dark gray. He had thought that since they had been very expensive, the treated leather would be more waterproof. A custom interior shop later told him to gently hand wash everything in a special purpose sheepskin cleaner/conditioner and then carefully air dry them for the best results.

By the way - I had expected the 85 project would have some bent valves because of a timing belt issue but yesterday when I removed the intake and dropped the oil pan, there was lots of sludge and interior surface rust. The previous owner had drained the oil and removed the spark plugs so hopefully the moisture is from storage. Once I get the engine apart I will know a bit more - but this one may turn into a high mileage parts bin.

Rolled the dice but can’t win them all,

Michael