Leather Seat Maintenance

Use the products at

Webserve

I have been recommended Woolies renovation kits by our trimmers.

Denman Classic Motoring - Jaguar E-Type Hire in The Cotswolds Web: +44 1452 864050

Stuff works great.

"" wrote: > I have an early XJ40 with Doe skin seats. The leather on the > drivers seat > is starting to 'crack' and looked marked. > > I have tried Autoglym leather cleaner and polish which I was > told was 'the > best you can buy sir' but was very disappointed with it. > > What do enthusiasts use to bring the leather seats on their > older cars back > up to trim. > > Thanks > > Andy

I found replacements on ebay to be quite cheap for an XJS. I think I could replace most the cockpit for around £300 sterling.

Thanks for this but all I want to do is make sure my seats stay in as good a condition as possible, drastic action is not needed. The seats have periodically been 'fed' but I am just starting to get crease marks on the leather on the drivers seat. Nothing wrong with the leather itself, just want to bring the finish back up to the mark and Wynns autoglym does not appear to cut the mustard.

I am looking into the Woolies and Leatherique products.

Andy

Andy

"Andy Coles" wrote in news:431d4539$0$12912$ snipped-for-privacy@news.dial.pipex.com:

Clean it first. Best cleaner is normal " Protecta Pink Hand cleaner". It is the cheapest and best to use. Then apply your leather treatment.

Ron

Somebody has just emailed me with this product called Liquid Leather.

Has anybody used this? Any good?

Andy

Liquid leather seems to be designed for serious renovation work, not a light uplift.

I have always used saddle soap to get seats clean, then Connolly's Hide Food (hope you can still get it, I'm down to the last inch in the jar!) It doesn't colour, tho' - just softens and supples (supples? makes supple?)

I don't want to use anything that paints any kind of layer on the surface, as that always seems to get cracked-looking very quickly.

cheers

david

Andy, I fear that you will find that once the lreather has deteriorated to the point of cracking or crazing there is little you can do to restore to near new condition. In my limited experience the key to keeping leather like new & getting a long life is: Keep it out of direct sunlight, this may involve selecting carefully where you park or carrying upholstery covers. Frequently, say monthly at least, vacuum dust & grime away then clean & apply leather dressing generously. Any of the better known recommended leather dressing products will do but if in doubt consult a saddler. Jag dealers & owners of new jags frequently know nothing about leather & if you do nothing new leather might last 5 or 6 years before showing deterioration anyway. Jag leather traditionally has been soft & subtle, (unlike the leather in some other well known marks) & if looked after will last, looking good, at least as long as vinyl or fabric. You could just settl noie to stop further deterioration, re-upholster Very costly) or possibly purchase new seats out of a wreck. Good luck Pete

"Andy Coles" wrote in message news:4309852d$0$12925$ snipped-for-privacy@news.dial.pipex.com...

Leathor sucks IMO. It used to be rare, but these days you can't get anything above an econobox where they aren't trying to put leathor in it. Uncomfortable when it's hot, uncomfortable when it's cold, and looks like crap after a few years unless you spend more time maintaining the leather than you do driving the car. And don't try to sell me the "patina" line that the older it gets the better it looks. That only works for bomber jackets. If it were true they would be installing discolored and creased leather in the factories.

The boomers grew up in an age when having leather upholstery was a really big deal so now all of their cars have to have it to prove that they've "Made it" or something. Most who say they really like it are the type who trade in every couple of years so it's not an issue.

The cloth seats in my 94 still look like brand new when I clean them up (once a year at the most). The leather in my wife's 02 Lexus are already starting to look bad and so far every product I have tried on them has made only a marginal difference.

Do the luxury and near-luxury manufacturers (like Jaguar) even offer the option of cloth upholstery anymore? I've reached the age where I would like my next car to be in the "quiet and comfortable" category rather then the "loud and uncomfortable" sporty model I've been driving, but I have to say that the idea that I would have no choice other than leather is a problem for me.

I just thought I'd share a photo of the leather seat I just restored yesterday on my 2000 S Type.

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree regarding the comments below regarding cracking, crazing and little that can be done to restore to near new condition once that occurs. There are some amazing products on the market now that can do miracles.

A picture says it better than I can.

Cheers,

Jeff

What did you use?

But, how do you know the titles aren't reversed on those pictures???

Heh. That's funny.

The product is called Surflex by Color Plus.

It's great stuff, but it must be applied to a properly prepared surface and used VERY sparingly. You don't need much, just an excellent match, which they provided.

You didn't say what product you used????