Leather seat restore?
 

Does anyone know of a product out there for restoring color and texture to cracked, faded black leather seats in a 1999 Boxster, that has the proper finish (not shiny) and makes them look original?

I know nothing about this stuff. Total newbie. I see lots of leather coloring, finishing, filling products out there, but I have no confidence that the seats would look right at the end. Is there a particular product Boxster owners use for this?

Thanks.

Third ever post here, so newbie needing help. :)

Check out leatherique. I’ve use it before with good results. Be sure to soak them in the rejuvenating oil for days and days though.

When ordering the dye (it’s really just a flexible paint though), be sure to specify that you want a matt finish.

Any pics of the leather? Lots of products, some work better than others. Let’s get a better image of what you’re working with. :)

I used Leather Magic products with success. Takes some practice to get the right finish. Just follow their instructions and it works well. It's important that you keep the spray coats very light to end up with a finish which is non-shiny and more like the OEM. My driver side ended up a little shinier because it was the first seat I did and I learned (through the experience) to go lighter when I did the passenger side. I may re-sand and prep the driver's side again this winter to get it perfect but it already looks very good...

I have the "before" pics but unfortunately didn't take any "after" pics of just the seats. My Box is on the quick jacks right now and I'm finishing up a bunch of RMS, IMS, Coolant tank, AOS, and other stuff and the garage lighting isn't great but I can try to take photos in a few days if you want.

BTW my carpet had faded to pink and I used their carpet dye/paint as well and was very happy with the results.

Yeah, here's the driver's seat, which is the worst of the two. And I've enhanced the contrast so you can see every little defect.


http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1591575645.jpg

Mine was similar to yours. I have the leather upgraded seats as well. Neither of these photos are great but show some of the before and after. The side bolsters on the driver's side were in the worst shape. Convertible leather seats tend to take more abuse from sun, dirt, body oils more than other vehicles. And because the Box sits low and the seats are well bolstered, the entry bolsters get hit hard.

I used the leatherique restoring oil to moisturize the leather. Then cleaned and prepped the surface, sanded, filled cracks, and refinished. The "before" pic below doesn't show how bad the seats were. When I cleaned them and began prepping them, things looked much worse.

I only have one season of driving on them but they still look good. However, I'm told that refinishing the leather will result in a finish that is never as durable as the original.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1591615829.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1591615846.jpg

Any thoughts on preferred leather cleaners, conditioners , protectants?

Autozone leather cleaning towel (This is a game changer)
Griots leather cleaner
buff with mocrofiber

Get them really, really clean.

Then Flieblings Saddle soap. This has glycerin in it. This is essential ingredient to hydrate the leather.
The finish will come out factory matte. And smells so clean.

Do not use oil, like mink or any other type. This will lead to fungus.

Advice from Texan who grew up with horses and saddles.

Have fun!

Nice procedure! I will try it. Any further protectant needed? Sounds like you have red as well. Would you apply this to all leather surfaces or just seats?

Leatherique
 

My seats were in even worse shape than yours when I got my Boxster. I used Leatherique products to redye the seats and am mostly pleased with the results. The dye did not adhere properly to the areas where the original finish was completely gone. My guess is that those areas were contaminated with something like sun tan lotion or perhaps a noncompatible leather treatment product. I cleaned and prepped these areas more aggressively and dyed them again last year. We'll see how well it lasts this time. More photos of my project here; https://rx19jones.wixsite.com/projectboxster/projectboxster2


cheers - dj

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1592002587.jpg

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1592002617.jpg

986chick, check this out:

http://986forum.com/forums/618688-post5783.html

Before/After
 

Before on L, After R.

That's amazing. Where was this done?

Incredible, KJC2050. Where was that done?

I used a franchise operation called Fibrenew

I don't trust my own ability with this. I wonder if there is such a franchise in SoCal, where I live.

Just Google it and your town’s name. I would imagine you have someone close. Good luck, let us know how you make out.

Looks like a bunch!