zcacogp
02-03-2009, 04:53 AM
Hello,
First post ... and I have no prior experience of leathercare (other than polishing my shoes), so please forgive me if I get some terminology wrong!
I have bought some car seats which need some attention paid to the leather. They are plae cream coloured leather, and fit an old Porsche.
There seem to be two main problems - 1) The leather is cracked, and 2) The bolster of the seat has a 'scratch' and a hole in it.
1) The cracks seem to be through the surface of the leather (the coloured bit) but no further than that. They appear dark, I think because they are both dirty and because the inner bit of leather which is now exposed is darker than the pale cream outer bit. (If the leather was black, I suspect they would be a lot less visible.)
Cracks:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j14/zcacogp/944/Seats/IMG_0256.jpg
Close up:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j14/zcacogp/944/Seats/IMG_0257.jpg
2) The bolster of the seat has a hole in it (around the size of a 10p piece, maybe a little smaller), and above it a 'scratch' which looks like another hole in the early stages of appearing. Again, it looks like the coloured outer part of the leather has worn away but it hasn't worn all the way through. Photos are here:
Hole and scratch:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j14/zcacogp/944/Seats/IMG_0254.jpg
Close-up of hole:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j14/zcacogp/944/Seats/IMG_0259.jpg
I'd be interested in advice on this - whether the current covers can be restored or whether I should look at having the seats fully reupholstered. If they can be restored, can anyone supply the lotions and equipment for me to do as a DIY job, or is it too specialised? (I am quite used to working with my hands and would strongly favour a DIY job, if this is within the realms of possibility.)
The slight fly in the ointment is that I am in England! If anyone has recommendations of UK-based leather restorers who can supply me with fluids to do this work then I'd be most interested to hear.
Thanks, in advance,
Oli.
First post ... and I have no prior experience of leathercare (other than polishing my shoes), so please forgive me if I get some terminology wrong!
I have bought some car seats which need some attention paid to the leather. They are plae cream coloured leather, and fit an old Porsche.
There seem to be two main problems - 1) The leather is cracked, and 2) The bolster of the seat has a 'scratch' and a hole in it.
1) The cracks seem to be through the surface of the leather (the coloured bit) but no further than that. They appear dark, I think because they are both dirty and because the inner bit of leather which is now exposed is darker than the pale cream outer bit. (If the leather was black, I suspect they would be a lot less visible.)
Cracks:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j14/zcacogp/944/Seats/IMG_0256.jpg
Close up:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j14/zcacogp/944/Seats/IMG_0257.jpg
2) The bolster of the seat has a hole in it (around the size of a 10p piece, maybe a little smaller), and above it a 'scratch' which looks like another hole in the early stages of appearing. Again, it looks like the coloured outer part of the leather has worn away but it hasn't worn all the way through. Photos are here:
Hole and scratch:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j14/zcacogp/944/Seats/IMG_0254.jpg
Close-up of hole:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j14/zcacogp/944/Seats/IMG_0259.jpg
I'd be interested in advice on this - whether the current covers can be restored or whether I should look at having the seats fully reupholstered. If they can be restored, can anyone supply the lotions and equipment for me to do as a DIY job, or is it too specialised? (I am quite used to working with my hands and would strongly favour a DIY job, if this is within the realms of possibility.)
The slight fly in the ointment is that I am in England! If anyone has recommendations of UK-based leather restorers who can supply me with fluids to do this work then I'd be most interested to hear.
Thanks, in advance,
Oli.