Reconditioned Leather Seats before and after pics

[jc986]

Decided to recondition my seats (cost about $100 and some time) VS. reupholstering (cost about $1,000). The colors are actually the same, just look different because of the lighting and no flash on camera

[Ckrikos]

What product did you use? It looks great.

[jc986]

Originally Posted by Ckrikos

What product did you use? It looks great.

Thanks, I got a couple things from leatherworldtech.com. They have a lot of different products. For my seats I used Color Prep & Cleaner, leather filler and leather dye. Had to clean, degrease and then sand the cracks lightly with 400 grit sandpaper. Then clean again and apply the filler. When that was dry resand again lightly until smooth. Clean again and applied about 12 coats of the dye. Finished them today and rubbed down with a leather protectant cream. Very happy with the results. All cost about $100.

[RawleyD]

The difference is amazing, very great job!
I can't believe how much better it looks.

[eicheldp]

Very nice results. You just added one more thing to my TO DO list.

[heliguy]

Holy crap! That looks great!

[dghii]

Very nice. Thanks for posting. I'm going to try this.. Rational is simple.

If it doesn't work, I purchase new covers or used seats (again) so I'm out the cost of the new seats +$100. If it holds up, I'm out $100. Even if I have to do it again in a year or two, who cares?

At some point it's just tough to spend $800-$1,200 on used seats for a $9,000 car.

[drbodzin]

Awesome job! Very impressive. Way cheaper than new leather too

[jc986]

Originally Posted by dghii

Very nice. Thanks for posting. I'm going to try this.. Rational is simple.

If it doesn't work, I purchase new covers or used seats (again) so I'm out the cost of the new seats +$100. If it holds up, I'm out $100. Even if I have to do it again in a year or two, who cares?

At some point it's just tough to spend $800-$1,200 on used seats for a $9,000 car.

Thanks everyone for the comments.
dghii, that's exactly what I thought too, couldn't make them look worse, and was going to cover or reupholster, so I figured try this first, if I screw it up I'd just get some covers, but they turned out great. If you're going to do it just take your time, and start with 400 grit sand paper. Go light with the sanding, you're not going to sand out the cracks and creases, just smoothing the surface. The cracks get filled in with the leather filler, and that stuff is sandable once it's dry. Go in layers and allow drying time, you'll be surprised at how well your seats will begin to look.
I still have a lot of filler left over - I ordered 8 oz. - too much for 2 seats. You'll probably only need 2 oz. unless your seats are worse than mine. Good luck, let me know if u have any questions, I'd be glad to help you if I can.

[rfuerst911sc]

jc986 how flexible is the filler ? How is it applied ? Do you use a brush or flat blade or ? Your seats look great I'm just wondering if the filler will last with getting in/out of the car and exposure to the sun. But I guess if you keep leather conditioner on it they should remain soft. My new to me S has black leather seats and the bolsters have some cracks/wear lines like your picture shows and I may try this. Thanks for posting.

[jc986]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

jc986 how flexible is the filler ? How is it applied ? Do you use a brush or flat blade or ? Your seats look great I'm just wondering if the filler will last with getting in/out of the car and exposure to the sun. But I guess if you keep leather conditioner on it they should remain soft. My new to me S has black leather seats and the bolsters have some cracks/wear lines like your picture shows and I may try this. Thanks for posting.

rfuerst911sc,
once the filler is dry it has the same flexibility as leather. It's actually made to fill cracks and rips. It's supposed to be applied with a flat plastic spatula tool, which I ordered along with the filler and dye, but I ended up using my gloved fingers to apply the filler because I had so many cracks. There are 2 kinds of filler, the regular leather filler and Finishing filler. Made of the same stuff but the finish filler is thinner, kind of the same consistency as Elmer's Glue.
You should try it before getting your seats reupholstered, it will only cost you about a hundred bucks and some time. If you do it and have any questions I will be glad to help.

[Chuck W.]

That is outstanding. The result is dramatic and something I would expect from a pro. Nice job.

[jc986]

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

That is outstanding. The result is dramatic and something I would expect from a pro. Nice job.

Thanks Chuck, wasn't hard to do, just researched the right way to do it on line, and then took my time.

[tuanle16]

amazing!!! how much time did it take you?

[tommy583]

What color did you use? I would guess you used Boxster red. I have the red interior on my car and the seats look like hell. Boxster red looks like the best match, kinda has an orange tint to it.

[jc986]

Originally Posted by tuanle16

amazing!!! how much time did it take you?

tuanle16,
it took about 4 days start to finish

[jc986]

Originally Posted by tommy583

What color did you use? I would guess you used Boxster red. I have the red interior on my car and the seats look like hell. Boxster red looks like the best match, kinda has an orange tint to it.

tommy583,
Yes, I used Boxster Red, got the dye from leatherworldtech.com. It matched perfectly to my seats. I know the colors look different in the pic but that's because of the lighting

[tommy583]

Thanks for the response. I will def be doing this and the carpets this spring!!

[Serget]

Very nice job. I did the same with mine and know exactly what you went through.

[Ckrikos]

I ordered a kit from them in gray. I hope my results are as hood as yours. Can you also use the dye on vinyl trim?

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