Leather seat repair or replace?

[Roganator]

Just bought a 07 plate BMW Z4 coupe with leather sports seats in and there is wear on the drivers seat bolster due to the driver getting in and out over and over again.

I've heard this type of wear is quite common, was woundering if anyone could help me with reguards to going about repairing it or replacing it? I know repairing is cheaper, but do you get good results and would you recommend it over recovering the whole seat with new leather?

any info would be much appreciated, inc. costs and any leather restoration companies tried and tested

thanks

[oktapod]

I've just bought some Dynamix leather treatment from Ebay. Hasn't arrived yet but I bought it to have a go at fixing a similar problem in a fair bit older car (so probably in worse condition than your seat). Will post pics of 'before and after' once i get it...

[Pulse]

Interested to hear the outcome of this - have a rip in my Z4 Coupe seat

[oktapod]

Well, I received the leather dye today and have applied the first two coats. Unfortunately, I forgot to take 'before' shots but it's looking like the dye could be doing what I wanted it to.

The procedure is something like this:

1. Clean leather thoroughly;
2. Sand (yes!) very lightly with 800 Wet & Dry until suitably scuffed
3. Clean again & dry;
4. Apply dye;
5. Wait 3 hours or so and repeat from 4 another couple of coats, or until happy with finish;
6. Wait 24+ hours to allow to fully 'cure';
7. Apply leather conditioner to restore 'lustre' - I'm thinking either a beeswax or RM Williams Saddle Dressing (both of which I have) though I might buy something 'dedicated' if neither of these brings the right lustre back.

More tomorrow :-)

[Steve748]

Look up 'vehicle trimmer' in yellow pages then go and ask them...............

[Mattt]

Ask in your local forum for any recommended trimmers. I've seen (pictures of) some amazing restoration jobs in the past on here.

[kds keltec]

oktapod said:

Well, I received the leather dye today and have applied the first two coats. Unfortunately, I forgot to take 'before' shots but it's looking like the dye could be doing what I wanted it to.

The procedure is something like this:

1. Clean leather thoroughly;
2. Sand (yes!) very lightly with 800 Wet & Dry until suitably scuffed
3. Clean again & dry;
4. Apply dye;
5. Wait 3 hours or so and repeat from 4 another couple of coats, or until happy with finish;
6. Wait 24+ hours to allow to fully 'cure';
7. Apply leather conditioner to restore 'lustre' - I'm thinking either a beeswax or RM Williams Saddle Dressing (both of which I have) though I might buy something 'dedicated' if neither of these brings the right lustre back.

More tomorrow :-)

This is the very similar tech used by myself

[paoloh]

Any links to any of these products?

[belleair302]

Get in contact with Judy B at LTT. She can recommend a local dye specialist or if you are near Harrogate they may be able to do something wonderful in house.

A retrim....somewhere around £600 for both seats, less for just the one.

[paoloh]

Hi, I'm in the motor trade and would be interested in buying an awful lot of colours.

[oktapod]

Do a search for Dynamix on Ebay. That's what I used. Expensive, for the amount you get, but it does work well...

[wilftwo]

Have used dyes in the past. They work an absolute treat - from something where all teh surface texture and colour has worn through back to normal.

PS if your leather is black or brown shoe cream has a similar effect although it wears off after a week or two.

[5 wh]

Paul at Leather Revive repairs all my worn leather seat bolsters for me.He works nationwide(and is extemely busy)

http://www.leatherrevive.co.uk/

[lambo_xx]

If the damage isn't too bad then you would be better just getting the leather refurbished, rather than re-trimmed. I would recommend these guys, I've never used them but their works looks very good indeed and they have been recommended to me several times.

http://www.leathercaredirect.com/car_renovation.ph...

[5 wh]

lambo_xx said:

If the damage isn't too bad then you would be better just getting the leather refurbished, rather than re-trimmed. I would recommend these guys, I've never used them but their works looks very good indeed and they have been recommended to me several times.

http://www.leathercaredirect.com/car_renovation.ph...

I have used them in the past and they are very good.You would have to take the car (or seat) to them though as they are not mobile.