Hi guys,
I have a 2016 Lexus IS 300 F Sport with the perforated leather sport seats. While the leather is soft and comfortable it hasnt aged so well. It looks worn on the bottom part and it looks like there are a bunch of micro rips between the holes in the leather.

Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions on how to fix?

Thanks.

Regards,

CF

 

I am surprised no one has tackled this one yet.

With leather, once it gets to a condition like that, you can't really "restore" it. You can help prevent it from getting worse with regular cleaning and conditioning. But more importantly, wear pants that aren't bedazzled to hell on the back and refrain from shifting back and forth, of course I am not saying you are, just as an example. Your main approach should be to take preventative action at this point.

There are methods you could try to mask the symptoms but the damage is done and I don't think it's worth it to try and attempt temporary solutions.

I am gonna double down on cleaning and conditioning. Like our own skin, leather is animal hide and need to be moisturized, otherwise it will wrinkle and crack as it ages, just like we do. So run to your local parts store or walmart or amazon, wherever you buy your detailing products and invest in quality leather cleaner and conditioner. My personal favorite are Chemical Guys. Clean your leather and condition them on a regular basis. Depending on how much you sit in your car, you can clean and condition them every 1-3 months. In the meantime, you can apply some leather quick detailer for added protection. This can be done ANY leather surface, not just your seats. This isn't a paid advertisement, it is truly important to care for your leather.

Anyways, I hope this helps. I know it's probably not what you were hoping for but it is what it is. If you will, let me know of any updates that occur with your leather.

Cheers!

 

Do these cars use real leather that conditioner will work on or is it synthetic? that is more of a painted plastic / vinyl to resemble leather?

 

It's synthetic leather, AKA NuLuxe. Personally I've always simply used an interior detailer such as Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Interior Detailer. My 2016 IS 300 AWD F Sport's seats looked pretty much new after 40,000 miles.

 

You really need to check your interior trim code to know if you’ve got real or synthetic leather (for my 2014, I shopped until I found one with the real stuff). And even then there is debate as to the effectiveness of conditioners on modern car leather, as they are coated and conditioners don’t get through to the leather anyway (but as the coating breaks down over time, the conditioners may be useful).

 

If it helps, F Sport cars always have NuLuxe.