Leather seat restoration or replace...

in the making · Postby **in the making** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 4:34 pm

Am a new owner of an old Roadster!

Very happy with it, but there are a few things that need some attention. One being the 25 year old tan leather seats. While the back rest is fine and speakers have just been replaced, the leather on seat is hard and cracked. In the last 2 weeks the drivers seat has started to tear along the stitching. What is the best way to fix this?

Cheers,
ITM

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 5:09 pm

No affiliation: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MX-5-Tan-Leather-Seats-with-Speaker-Holes-and-Seat-Rails-/221469399589?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item33909ada25&_uhb=1

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 6:52 pm

Faaaa.....

$400? I gave away my old pair...

in the making · Postby **in the making** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 7:17 pm

Thanks for the link. Have to say the seats in the car now are in much better condition than the ones on ebay...hmmm

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 7:19 pm

Yeah, looking closer at those I linked to now that I'm on my laptop, they are well worn as well!

You have many options, depends on budget and what you want.

If the seat base leather is cracking, trying to repair may not work or last well. Even restitching may come apart quickly. There are stick on patches, but I've never found them any good, they all seem to lift around the edges after a few uses.

May be worth looking at alternatives.

Recover your seats yourself. There's plenty of replacement cover options out there, but someone who has done this before could advise better on the good covers and the ins & outs of doing it yourself.
You could have a professional recover them - $1000+ for leather.
You can go after market seat/s - just search the forum for all the various options and how they look, fit and feel.
You can go later model OEM - NB8B (MK2.5) seats are a very popular and well priced option. These are often available in the for sale section.

MrRevhead · Postby **MrRevhead** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 9:51 pm

Without seeing a pic of how worn the seat is, it might be more feasible to just get the stitching that is coming away fixed.

Alternatively if you don't mind leatherette

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAZDA-MIATA-1990-1997-Leatherette-Seat-covers-Replacemet-COLOR-TAN-/251295303724?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a825e082c&_uhb=1

There is a vinyl option for about $80 less and half the postage.

Wassup did a write up in his garage thread on how to change the seat fabric on OEM NA.

Alternatively, keep an eye out for a 2nd hand pair.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 11:50 am

I think Kev's link might be a good lead. If seats are hard and cracking they are probably beyond help. However a forumite of yore said and he knew about leather was that Mr Sheen was as good as anything for restoring leather- it cannot hurt in your situation. The used route is probably the cheapest alternative. Go to a few trimmers yourself and see what they charge however if you can pick up some ready made covers that is also a good thought. Another option is putting a cover on the seat- e.g. I know a guy who makes lambswool covers to fit- that would likely be cheaper than a trimmer having to make a new set of covers. You can get wool in different colours e.g. dark grey etc but some folks don't think thats cool.

Red Dragon · Postby **Red Dragon** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 12:52 pm

Nothing wrong with Lambswool covers, keeps those bloody hot leather seats cool in summer and warm in winter

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 3:00 pm

Red Dragon wrote:Nothing wrong with Lambswool covers

Mr Morlock wrote:some folks don't think thats cool.

in the making · Postby **in the making** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:15 pm

Thanks for the tips.

Here's an image of the worst bits of the drivers side seat.

Does anyone use leather restorers?

in the making · Postby **in the making** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:22 pm

Image a bit small! I'll try again.

pezchops · Postby **pezchops** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:45 pm

looks like my old Volvo leather seats.
whoever can come with a restoring cream for that would make a fortune in the cosmetics market.
best product i tried was horse saddle conditioner my sister uses.
it still didn't help the hardened leather but was great on the leather that was still soft.
looks like a recover job.
seat covers under your bum rob you of head room if that is an issue.

Tony · Postby **Tony** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:46 pm

It's not going to help your stitching, but the Leatherique treatment will bring your leather back like new. I've used it on a number of cars and it works very well. The secret is to take the seats out of the car and then to use plenty of the rejuvenator oil. This soaks into the leather and "floats" the dirt and contaminants to the surface where it's cleaned off with the Prestine Clean solution.

Following a good soaking with rejuvenator oil, I put a large black garbage bag over the seat and put it out in the sun for a day or so. The heat created by the hot house effect helps to get the oil deep into the leather, bringing all the crud to the surface. Clean off with Prestine Clean and do it again. When you've got all the dirt out I let the last lot of rejuvenator oil soak in for another couple of days. If you've got the patience it will make the leather feel like new again - guaranteed; but it is definitely not a wipe once procedure!

Once the leather is nice and supple again a motor trimmer may be able to restitch the seams. Leatherique also have crack filler and dyes if your leather is really crook.

More info can be found here: http://ppcco.com.au/leatherique.htm. Plus there's plenty of videos on You Tube; simply search for Leatherique.

Best of luck...

pezchops · Postby **pezchops** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 6:49 pm

Tony wrote:It's not going to help your stitching, but the Leatherique treatment will bring your leather back like new. I've used it on a number of cars and it works very well. The secret is to take the seats out of the car and then to use plenty of the rejuvenator oil. This soaks into the leather and "floats" the dirt and contaminants to the surface where it's cleaned off with the Prestine Clean solution.

Following a good soaking with rejuvenator oil, I put a large black garbage bag over the seat and put it out in the sun for a day or so. The heat created by the hot house effect helps to get the oil deep into the leather, bringing all the crud to the surface. Clean off with Prestine Clean and do it again. When you've got all the dirt out I let the last lot of rejuvenator oil soak in for another couple of days. If you've got the patience it will make the leather feel like new again - guaranteed; but it is definitely not a wipe once procedure!

Once the leather is nice and supple again a motor trimmer may be able to restitch the seams. Leatherique also have crack filler and dyes if your leather is really crook.

More info can be found here: http://ppcco.com.au/leatherique.htm
great, i will try that myself...sounds like a solution
Best of luck...

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Jun 28, 2014 2:40 pm

I recommend some reading on leather restoration - its not quite so easy as the usual advertising suggests - the thing that comes out loud and clear is that not all the leathers are the same and not all products work- its not always clear also what sort of process has been used. Saddles and horse gear is not the same as car seating- you do not want products that soil clothes. If the cover needs restitching it may have to have a panel replaced and it must be removed- take it to a trimmer and get a comment.