Seat repair...it can be done
- Thread starter sawguy
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It's a '96 so you can imagine what the seats looked like. I'll include a pic of the driver seat cushion. I used the Subpatch material and adhesive as well as a jar of the leather filler from Leather World Tech. I also went to a fabric store and bought a curved ( surgical type needle )and heavy thread.
I removed the driver cushion and took the leather cover off to re-sew some of the stitching. ( A lot of hog rings to cut off to get the material off the foam cushion. I used copper wire to re attach ). After sewing I placed the cover back on the cushion and glued in the subpatch material where the leather was torn and then glued the leather to the patch.Then the long process of filling the cracks. I probably did 4 or 5 coats of filler sanding between each coat...be sure to let dry thoroughly before sanding. This is not my DD so I took my time. When I was satisfied with the look, I just used the dye I had matched at the automotive paint store. They put it in aerosol cans for me. I used a trigger sprayer attachment on the can. This project really came out great. We'll see how long it holds up. Here's more pics. As you can see the driver cushion had been dyed before..bad color match.
I removed the driver cushion and took the leather cover off to re-sew some of the stitching. ( A lot of hog rings to cut off to get the material off the foam cushion. I used copper wire to re attach ). After sewing I placed the cover back on the cushion and glued in the subpatch material where the leather was torn and then glued the leather to the patch.Then the long process of filling the cracks. I probably did 4 or 5 coats of filler sanding between each coat...be sure to let dry thoroughly before sanding. This is not my DD so I took my time. When I was satisfied with the look, I just used the dye I had matched at the automotive paint store. They put it in aerosol cans for me. I used a trigger sprayer attachment on the can. This project really came out great. We'll see how long it holds up. Here's more pics. As you can see the driver cushion had been dyed before..bad color match.
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gamefreakgc
Elite Member
Wow, that's quite the restoration! My opinion on leather seats have completely changed! I avoided getting a Limited since I hated how the leather seats always tore.
A.Wilson013
New member
I... I don't get it.
You're saying your seat looked like the bottom picture before you repaired..??
You're saying your seat looked like the bottom picture before you repaired..??
hounddogman
New member
Dude, you just made up this whole hard work , sew, patch , dye , repair story didn't you ? What actually happened is you found some fairy godmother's magic wand and made that seat out of a pumpkin. :biggrin1:
StreetCreeper
New member
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BrianSD_42
New member
I don't get it either.
Do you have more pictures?
This just didn't seem believable based on the last picture.
I'm officially in the "that looks fake" category for the moment.
I could believe that you removed the piece of leather or vinal that was torn and found a well cut matching piece, then sewed it up real good and used the filer material paste to make the seat look new again.
But what you describe is totally different which is why I'm very skeptical.
My seats were falling apart as well. I replaced the leather.
Do you have more pictures?
This just didn't seem believable based on the last picture.
I'm officially in the "that looks fake" category for the moment.
I could believe that you removed the piece of leather or vinal that was torn and found a well cut matching piece, then sewed it up real good and used the filer material paste to make the seat look new again.
But what you describe is totally different which is why I'm very skeptical.
My seats were falling apart as well. I replaced the leather.
Brilliant
New member
If that last pic was the before... what he said.
I found a place local that will do all the leather pieces installed for 999. Lifetime warranty on the leather product.
I found a place local that will do all the leather pieces installed for 999. Lifetime warranty on the leather product.
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99problems
New member
Was that for driver and passenger seats, top and bottom?
Brilliant
New member
yes, front and rear seats
SilverRidgeRunner1
Member
Yea this is what the local leather repair guy does when repairing seats on dealer lots. Basically he cuts out the bad pieces replaces with a new leather adds filler to the cracks to smooth it all out and then blends colors in with the surrounding seat ... Cost is pretty cheap I had my front seats done for about $129.00 ... I been trying to get up the guts to dye my seats to a dark chocolate brown for $100 but not sure about the color change yet.
StreetCreeper
New member
This seat has 380,000+ miles and nearly 20 years of ass-time on it. I want see someone do this nifty magic trick and make it look all new again too.
I won't hold my breath though...
It's all real. The large tears I used the subpatch material and filled in with the leather filler putty or whatever you want to call it. Like I said, it took quite a while to do this. A lot of sanding to make the patched area disappear. BTW I'm a finish carpenter by trade, so I have some skills in the sanding and finishing areas. And as I also said, well see how this holds up. The leather filler is very rubbery when it dries, so it must flex. I reside in a very changeable climate ( well below zero in the winter and 90's in the summer occasionally ). I'll try and remember to post pictures in Dec. sometime so you can see how it's doing. I fully expect it to crack again eventually just from getting in and out, but I just couldn't justify dumping $600 to $900 in new vinyl or leather covers in a "96 I paid $2500 for just to drive for a winter vehicle. We live on 6 miles of gravel and it really takes a toll on vehicles.
This seat has 380,000+ miles and nearly 20 years of ass-time on it. I want see someone do this nifty magic trick and make it look all new again too.
I won't hold my breath though...
This looks like a tough one.
