Reconditioned Leather Seats before and after pics
 

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

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.

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

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

Holy crap! That looks great!

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.

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

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.

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. :cheers:

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.

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

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.

tuanle16,
it took about 4 days start to finish

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

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

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

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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I just received my new bottle of dye and the match is perfect. I am working on dyeing my hand brake and think it's coming along well. I will also add that so far the dye does a great job filing in scratches in the soft touch plastic. I don't have the dye color code yet, but have asked for anyone wishing to purchase the dye.

That's great! Can't wait to see it when finished! Please post some pics for us!
:cheers:

You've got to be kidding me. That can't possibly be the same seats. Great job sir!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/07/2ehe5yhu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/07/ede4emah.jpg


It turns out i am not as much a fan of the graphite grey color. I think it should be fine for touch ups but not redoing the entire seat.

As you can see the dye really paints the leather. Im going to try an airbrush to see if it looks any better. Ill keep you guys updated as i use more of it.

Btw if anyone wants the hand brake $40 obo.

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nice job!!

Thanks rp17,
yes, same seats, just took my time to recondition them, happy so far

can you post list of supplies you used?

Wow! An amazing job. There is hope!

This looks really promising. Any idea on the durability of the seats post refinish? The only thing I'm concerned about is the way they look when the refinish starts wearing.


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Damn, That is amazing. My seats aren't horrible, but there is one small cigarette burn....if I could get them to look this good for $100 I'm all over it. Did you have any larger areas to fill, 1/4 inch round? Good winter project.

I was reconditioning the seats outside in 90 degrees weather and noticed that when a drop of dye would hit the seat it would leave a burn mark on the leather. So be careful when dying the leather in extreme heat or dont be a goof like me and just take the day off since it's so damn hot.

Wow.. The seats look great.. Can you post all of the products you used?

Those pictures look fake. You did such a good job. Cant believe those are the same seats. Bravo !

OP, how have your seats held up since February? Any chance I can bother you for a picture and how often you drive it (get in/out of the seat)?

Got a question for jcy986, or anyone else who did a restoration; Does the filler clog the tiny holes of the seat leather ?

And, does a Savannah interior mean that both the dash parts and seats are the same ?
The seats and dash parts on my '98 look pretty different: anyone know ?

I'm curious too. This would make a great spring project. My seats look similar to the OP "before" photos.

Ok,

Im all in but cant figure out how to get the plastic piec off the front of the rails so I can get at the torx bolts. Is there some magic Im not aware of?

Thanks, Larry

There should be a small screw on top of that plastic piece that secures it. Try scooting the seat all the way back to see it.