How far gone is this leather?

B

babelfish

New member
Joined
Sep 14, 2011
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Picture here: http://i.imgur.com/HUPXg.jpg

(Before anyone mentions it: I know the suede needs some help. After speaking to some other Volvo owners, it sounds like a $15 fabric shaver will do the trick for that.)

Based on the research I've done, it sounds like I can get this looking reasonably good with a leather repair kit from Leatherique or one of their competitors. I plan to use a seat cover after repairing it, to keep the seat in better condition.

So, is this something I can DIY back into looking all right? Or would I be better off just having an upholstery shop repair this? The real goal is just to have everything looking nice when I go to sell the car in another couple of years.
 
I don't see any tears, just some dirty leather.

OPC at 3:1 agitated with a soft brush should clean that right up. Go over the leather with a damp mf afterwards to get rid of any OPC reside.

Those inserts don't make a whole lot of sense to me. I'd prefer to have a full leather seat. Fabric shaver might work but I've read that people use sandpaper sometimes too. Maybe those suede pumice stones would work.
 
All right, I'll give some OPC a try -- Lexol cleaner wasn't strong enough to help much.

The suede looks pretty bad as it gets worn, but when it's in good condition (rear seats), it's pretty cool.
 
Those are some heavy crack and looks like it either has to be reupholstered or refinished (though I dont know the durability of refinished seats, many say it is just as good as factory). There are a few people who have refinished their seats with great success.

For the suede sand paper and/or cheap disposable razors works amazing well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top