Strange Leather Problem

[FatBoy]

Originally Posted by Maricopa

Wow, I mean it's a seat with some black leather on it. Any competent upholstery shop should be able to either repair or replace the panel. Can't imagine it costing anywhere near 1K.

If not there's always one of these.

It isn't as simple as it may at first appear. The seat cover contruction is actually rather complicated. The ribs in the back and swab are actually hand stiched leather "tubes" stuffed with cotton wadding. These panels would need to be unpicked from the piping and side pieces and new ones attached. However, it would be virtually impossible to use the same stitching holes and you would therefore end up with a row of perforations. As a consequence, the seats need completely recovering to ensure a satisfactory result.

Paul

[Rick Parker]

It's what we (here in the States) called "Tuck & Roll" upholstery. Standard fare for 60's hotrodding upholstery. Any upholsterer should know how to create this.

[Maricopa]

Edit, Rick beat me to it.
Yes, I agree that the entire panel needs to be replaced.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

It's what we (here in the States) called "Tuck & Roll" upholstery.

For folks interested in that sort of stuff: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=8315

[decapello]

Fatboy
I've been in the sporting goods business for over 30 years, most of that time dealing with baseball gloves. One of the things you learn about leather it is a natural product. It comes from animals, and like people each one is different. No matter how sophisticated a leather tannery may be, some hides do not take the tanning chemicals like the other hides in the same tanning drum. What you get sometimes is as hide with weak leather, or one like your seat that does not accept being wet and returning to its finished state. The crusty feeling you describe sounds like a salt stain, you might try the vinegar and water suggestion from Patrickt's 1st link above. I'm afraid your seats panel will have to be replaced.
Good Luck, Mike

[FatBoy]

Thanks for all the input guys.
It could well be salt at the root of the problem, assuming that the salt was already in the leather. Presumably, the water disolved the salt and was "pushed" up through the wet leather, leaving a concentrated band of salt laden leather halfway up.
I'll give the vinegar a go, any particular vinegar? I don't want to smell like a fish & chip shop...but I suppose most of you wouldn't know what one of those was.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by FatBoy

I'll give the vinegar a go, any particular vinegar? I don't want to smell like a fish & chip shop.

Try a quality balsamic vinegar. That way, after it doesn't work, you can use what's left to make a tangy salad dressing.

[Jamo]

...partnered with a nice Chianti.

[franklin]

So I have a question then... for us owners who have not had the chance to get our seats wet. Would it be a good idea to treat the new seats now to help avoid the problem that we could see down the wet road?
Just curious?
Todd

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Jamo

...partnered with a nice Chianti.

I knew Jamo had an alternate personality or should we call you Dr. Lecter?

[jimf]

I visited a shop here in my area some years ago, that exclusively rejuvinated motor cyclists leathers. The guys showed me what they looked like when they came in to his shop....they looked like you should just throw them away...covered in mud and ground in dirt and stains of every imaginable type. He then showed me a set of leathers that he had partially cleaned....I could hardly believe it, they looked like new leather. He showed me how he did it simlpy by scrubing the leather with a fairly stiff brush and "saddle soap".
. The dirt just seemed to float to the surface and then he wiped it off. The dried, cracked areas of the leathers became supple again. He said this was the best way to clean and rejuvinate leather that had been water damaged and gotten dirty, without damaging it. It involves a lot of elbow grease but it did a beauiful job. Maybe you could try some saddle soap on your seats. I use saddle soap to clean and keep the seats in my car supple and it works great. It also gives you that fresh new leather smell.

[FatBoy]

Thanks Jim. certainly worth a try. I couldn't make much more of a mess of them than they already are.

[r67cat]

Paul, my daughter competed in equestrian hunter/jumpers for years. They rode in all conditions and I was having a heart attack watching her new $2,000 saddle being soaked and trashed by the mud. When dry, saddle soap and conditioner made it as new. Check at a tack store, or saddlery for the best leather products. They are very familiar with expensive leather care. Rick

[big-boss]

From the pictures -- Looks like chemical stain-salt smog,etc. My granddughter last year ink pined my wifes BMW- very good leather. I being the smart guy put some laquer thinner on a rag and cleaned it off. The end result is just like what you have. Knowing that a BMW seat would cost almost as much as my Kirkham- I used all my power- what the hell! I first colored it in with shoes polish-my seats are tan- black should we way eaiser. Worked it in then started treateing/ cleaning with the white milky looking leather treatment- don't know what brand but it is what upholstry shops use. My wife can not tell where the problem is - I can though. BUt it turned out very nice. THe lamborghini club detailer uses model car paints to touch up spots in leather all the time. Good luck- I think with a little work you will be fine- looks like you are a driver as most of us so you can probably tolerate a little more than most Porch guys would.