Has anybody replaced seat covers?

[WhipE350]

Originally Posted by Dale_K

The ones I saw on the web at one of the companies that make replacement Boxster tops were so expensive that I ruled them out. If you decide to renovate your seats either by replacing the covers or by redying please post the before and after pics. The seats in my recently aquired 2000 S are not responding to the Meguiar's leather treatment/cleaner.

I read an item somewhere that mentioned redying leather seats with high gloss latex paint. I'm not quite that brave yet but my seats need some TLC.

I reconditioned my seats and am really pleased, saves a ton of money. Hard to get good before and after pics in the basement with a flash but I think from the pictures you can see they look awesome.
I did all 4 steps, rejuvenate, clean, prep, dye. If I hadn't had scuff marks I would have only done the first 2 steps. For those out there with nice seats and very few scuffs I would highly recommend the first two steps, you will be amazed at the results.
Since I had to wet sand to dye, the finish comes out very smooth and satin in look. I watered down the dye a bunch so it wouldn't look like paint and wouldn't be too shiny (this was 'my' method, many thin coats). I did the passenger seat first and then the drivers, the drivers came out better because I had learned a lot from the first seat.
First pic is a BEFORE of the passenger, the next two are AFTER on the drivers seat, drivers seat had more wear but less deep scuffs. I filled no wrinkles, I like the slightly wrinkled look, has similar character to my 50 year old face
I used Leatherique (no affiliation), they were recommended by a friend at work. George is real nice and helpful.

[clickman]

whip, post a pic of the passenger side redone, the same view you had in your first pic

[WhipE350]

Clickman, seat is already back in car, but I took a pic tonight with a flash. The flash is good for showing imperfections. You can see it is much better and since it looks better in natural light I didn't add more dye, though after I see in the sun I may do some touch up.

[Dale_K]

Those reconditioned seats look pretty good to me. I have a feeling the tan seats in my car might not come out as good but I'm probably going to try this eventually. I've heard of Leatherique but I don't know much about them. Looks like their system works.

[clickman]

No kudos on the photography , but wow, what an improvement over the "before" pic. I'll have to keep this in mind.

[WhipE350]

Along with restoring the paint, doing the seats was one of the more rewarding visual improvement on the car. The drivers seat came out way beyond my expectations, it was pretty weathered when I bought it and felt they were deserving of a discount, but had I known how leather can be brought back to life I wouldn't have worried. I'll be doing my son's beamer seats and girlfriend's nissan seats soon too.

[sasha055]

Those restored seats look amazing

How does it hold to wear, paint transfer?

I'm worried that my biege seats will look good after painting but won't as resilient as factory paint.

Sasha

[Disaster]

Originally Posted by WhipE350

I reconditioned my seats and am really pleased, saves a ton of money. Hard to get good before and after pics in the basement with a flash but I think from the pictures you can see they look awesome.

Agreed. I cleaned and dyed my seats and the difference is night and day. Total investment was maybe $30 bucks.