Leather seat renovation - How to.

The driver's seat outer bolster has been looking a bit worse for wear.



The top surface has been degraded but the leather beneath is still OK.
I got a leather repair kit from good old ebay.



The kit is not cheap for what you get, so I hoped it was going to work.
First you use the cleaner; applying it with a damp cloth.
Then apply the primer; and at this stage it looked like this. Ooh nasty!



Well, I'd really made a difference so far - it was much worse!

OK next step was to apply thin layers of the filler material, drying each with a hairdryer.
Right now I was left with this...



Once the filler was dry and cool, I sanded it flat with the supplied sandpaper.
Once I was happy it was all level with the original surface, I applied a layer of sealer.
Once that was dry, I applied the black pigment and left it to dry for 2 hours.

I then applied a coat of leather wax conditioner treatment (Gliptone) and stood back to admire my efforts.

Wow! that's really made a difference - good job.

Works well, got a link?

Wow David that looks amazing - only thing I'd ask is how flexible that 'filler' is... and will it just crack relatively quickly when the leather flexes as you sit on it?

adamelphick wrote: Wow David that looks amazing - only thing I'd ask is how flexible that 'filler' is... and will it just crack relatively quickly when the leather flexes as you sit on it?

According to the supplier, it stays as flexible as the leather. Apparently it's what professional restorers use.

Time will tell, I suppose.:lol:

david aiketgate wrote:

adamelphick wrote: Wow David that looks amazing - only thing I'd ask is how flexible that 'filler' is... and will it just crack relatively quickly when the leather flexes as you sit on it?

According to the supplier, it stays as flexible as the leather. Apparently it's what professional restorers use.

Time will tell, I suppose.:lol:

Sounds good then! Might get some for Michael is his leather passenger seat base got scratched and Land Rover charge a bloody fortune for a new leather cover!

adamelphick wrote:

david aiketgate wrote:

adamelphick wrote: Wow David that looks amazing - only thing I'd ask is how flexible that 'filler' is... and will it just crack relatively quickly when the leather flexes as you sit on it?

According to the supplier, it stays as flexible as the leather. Apparently it's what professional restorers use.

Time will tell, I suppose.:lol:

Sounds good then! Might get some for Michael is his leather passenger seat base got scratched and Land Rover charge a bloody fortune for a new leather cover!

Yeah,I kept looking at replacement seats and then I saw the kits and thought it was worth a punt. Have to say |'m really chuffed...so far!

David, that looks superb, you did a really good job :woohoo: it wont work on my fabric seats in the F but i will get a kit for my MG Honda, the same bolster is starting to crack in the same area as yours so its worth the £20 to tart it up.

David Aiketgate wrote: According to the supplier, it stays as flexible as the leather. Apparently it's what professional restorers use.

Time will tell, I suppose.:lol:

15 months later... Still recommended David?

Funny you should ask. I had a good look at it yesterday and the dye had started to wear in the same place.
I gave it a quick rub over with 600 wet and dry and reapplied more black pigment and then sealer.
It took no time and looks as good as new again.

So, short answer is - yes still recommended!

That's a great long term fix then David. I have given it a mention in my short term seat clean and bolster fix.

Cheers.