I need your leather expertise
 

I'm interested in adding or replacing some leather in my full-leather-interior 2001 S. Some of this work I might try doing myself, in other cases I'd like to buy the leather and give it to someone to perform the work. But I need some guidance as to what kind of leather Porsche used in my car. I'm figuring on heading to a Tandy leather store soon, and I want to know what to look for.

If I want to match the leather on my dash and door panels, what are we talking about? Top grain? Full grain? What Porsche installed seems fairly grain-free.

If I wanted to upgrade to what Porsche terms "smooth leather" on some surfaces, or my steering wheel, what is that? Is it really lambskin?? Or is it "garment leather"?

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

If you truly want to do an interior in leather, I would recommend checking out a custom upholstery shop specializing in Automobile work. It won't be cheap but if you shop carefully and talk to locals who have cherry interior jobs you will find one. You will be able to get custom stitching in deviating color like the factory does or anything else your wallet will tolerate. If you are truly fussy about the outcome, choose wisely what you conquer yourself. I replaced a lot of vinyl seats with OEM skins. It takes multiple events to gain the dexterity necessary to achieve an outcome that would satisfy the average enthusiast on this board; hence the nod for a shop quote. If you pull the trigger on a job make sure to post some pics.

I redid the door panels in my first Boxster. It came from S FL and the seats were faded, door panels shot. I used regular auto grade leather on the door panels and used some vinyl inserts on the seats.


http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1330725240.jpg

Looks fabulous! I can believe it about the fading, our sun attacks red before all other colors.

But how would you describe "regular auto grade leather"?

Is it grainier or less grainy than what Porsche uses?

I know a woman in Norwalk named Bubbles who really knows her leather - if that helps .

Is she the one who fitted your leather hood with the zipper mouth?

I'm not the one with the Justin Bieber pillow cases .

Sorry, I don't like his Fisker Price toy sports car. I'll tell ya though Johnno, I do love Canada, the St Larry river, Kingston, Creemore Spings and beavers on the coins, I love Canada!

Did you get your boxster yet , or what ??

Yeah, your PM wasn't working on the message exchange. I have sat in it and beeped the horn, that will have to do till the Na Cl is gone.

Ok... I have the leather solution for you.

First) Call Bob Budd at Classic 9 Leather in Dearborn Heights, MI. 313-682-1983. He specializes in Porsche leather. He has sold us twice perfect match leather at unbelievable fair/low prices. We redid the drivers seats in both a gray and tan interior car.

Second) Shop around at auto/marine upholstery/trim and auto glass repair/tint shops. Check out at least 5 or 6. You will be amazed at how different and or the same some of them are. We shopped every place in town until we found out our auto tint shop had a trim department. They only charged us $75 labor for each seat. Other shops were quoting $180 to $200 labor for the same job.

I second Classic 9 Leather. When I was in the 924/944 family there was only excellent things to say. Also, for what someone is going to sell you factory leather bits you can get covered for the same price or lower with brand new leather.

I have seen some of Classic 9 Leather's work on Rennlist, and it is nothing short of stunning! A few member there have done their center consoles in leather.

Whatever you do, got for AUTO leather not just regular!

Why?
 

Why do you say that, Andy? What's so special about "automotive leather"?

Automotove leather has better resistance to wear and tear as well as UV rays to name just 2 possible issues. How about temperatures?


Do a little research.

But what do I know?

I have been researching, and an important part of my research is asking questions on this forum, so thanks, Andy.

Cool;)

I actually read over time a lot about this leather thing in cars and everything points to the fact to look for the "right" leather. My conclusion is not to save at the wrong end.

Later,
Andy

Why does your 01 have a three spoke steering and the old 993 style shifter?


To the OP, and others really, check out the WetOkole wet suit material covers.
It sounds funny but they are a perfect fit and will help with the wear. Not cheap though but easy to maintain and keeps your leather from getting worn.

http://www.wetokole.com/Porsche-Seat-Cover-Gallery.html

http://www.wetokole.com/mm5/graphics...umb-073009.jpg

Looks a like a '97 w/o door air bags. I'm guessing this is not his current '01, but his first Boxster.