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I went to a leather repair shop today see how much they charger to redye the seat they want to replaced the seat for $650.00. Well after looking hard found the dye, I was looking for that is too much money just to dye a seat.
I have a similar problem and I also have a seat tear
I am sure this is not covered under the extended warranty. I drive 80% of the time alone and this problem is only on the passenger seat. Any suggestions?
Unfortunately, these seats have a polyurethane clearcoat applied over the dyed leather (regular leather seats and "semi-aniline" seats). So dye won't "soak into" the leather, it just sits on top of the clearcoat and wears off very quickly. There are leather "paints" that will make the seat look nice for a short time, but these, too, wear off in a couple of months. The only real solution is to replace the worn leather sections at significant cost (the upholstery shops have to buy a larger quantity of leather than it takes to repair your seat - that's why it's so expensive).
End up finding the color on amazon order it going redye the seats this weekend. A Seat shop wanted $650.00 just redye it replace the bottom cushion craze.
I went to a leather repair shop today see how much they charger to redye the seat they want to replaced the seat for $650.00. Well after looking hard found the dye, I was looking for that is too much money just to dye a seat.
Lexus cars are beautiful with soft and supple leather and at the same time the seats all wear and the dye is just painted on. Ironically, I found the guy who comes out and does the re-dye i.e. seat repainting for $100 and he has a mobile set up. Ironically, he was recommended by a sales person at my local Lexus dealership. You can always call or stop in and ask who re-dyes the bolsters before the cars go back out on the lot for sale. All the large dealers have a fleet of people who are contracted to fix rims, seats, vinyl. You name it they fix it and of course charge anyone who leases the cars the full replacement cost.
http://jjrestoration.com/ this is the guy I use in Tucson, AZ. Maybe the website can give some keywords or ideas to find a local person.
Unfortunately, these seats have a polyurethane clearcoat applied over the dyed leather (regular leather seats and "semi-aniline" seats). So dye won't "soak into" the leather, it just sits on top of the clearcoat and wears off very quickly. There are leather "paints" that will make the seat look nice for a short time, but these, too, wear off in a couple of months. The only real solution is to replace the worn leather sections at significant cost (the upholstery shops have to buy a larger quantity of leather than it takes to repair your seat - that's why it's so expensive).
that is not exactly true, the clear coat can be removed by mechanical or chemical means, leather repainted and the leather given a new layer of polyurethane clear coat. But being in the US is unfortunate for you guys too expensive to do.
End up finding the color on amazon order it going redye the seats this weekend. A Seat shop wanted $650.00 just redye it replace the bottom cushion craze.
Did you get an estimate from other shops? Sometimes these businesses quote outrageous amounts because they know the average person will not shop around.
I have a seat that the previous owner trashed. I found a customizing shop with an upholstery/leather specialist who will replace the damaged bolster panels with matching grain leather, dye, and reinstall for about $250 and a day of work. I know the perforated panels won’t be done but I can live with that. Now if I could only get that darn seatbelt clean...l
Try www.car-part.com . It provides inventory from salvage yards. You can search by part and by region. In the Midwest these guys use Speedy Delivery and the shipping is reasonable. Lots of seats available, and you'd be surprised at the condition, even for the drivers seats. Looks like they're priced between $100 and $350;YMMV.
I was thinking of buying preemptively as a spare.
I have a seat that the previous owner trashed. I found a customizing shop with an upholstery/leather specialist who will replace the damaged bolster panels with matching grain leather, dye, and reinstall for about $250 and a day of work. I know the perforated panels won’t be done but I can live with that. Now if I could only get that darn seatbelt clean...l
Will the shop replace both sections for $250? Or just the ripped section? The part that needs replacement is the rip unless you can get a person like JJ Restoration to patch it is not a permanent fix. I would probably get that re-dyed and patched if its around $100. If the shop will make that whole seat look new for $250 I would go that route.
Seatbelts and fabrics are easy to get clean. You need woolight clothing detergenthot water in a bucket and a soft bristle brush. I usually just pull the belt out and dunk it. Put a dab of woollight on the brush scrub dunk and repeat. After it’s clean I use a towel to get the excess moisture off. I buckle it up and let it dry usually I tackle other fabric spots while I have the cleaner out. It’s safe for automotive fabrics. I use this method to clean my MOMO factory seats in my JDM Supra works well and does not damage the fabric.
As for Leather I use a horse hair brush hot water and leather cleaner. I dunk the brush shake it off spray ithr brush and then scrub the leather. It opens the leather pores to release the dirt and allows the leather conditioner to go in. I then wipe the leather down and then apply a conditioner as a final stage with a clean cloth. Lexol brand is what I use it has two parts and can be purchased even at Walmart. I have perforated leather in 3 out of 4 cars so I have a regiment down so that the leather stays and feels like new.
Replacement is best yet it takes a lot of labor and skill with hog rings and a weekend to remove re-skin and re-install the seats. The re-dye is an affordable fix that will last 3+ years repair would be viable (That is what the dealership does). Something needs to be done before the crease rips completely. The only problem the leather is so soft that a used seat unless its perfect will be another ticking time bomb.
