leather seat conditioning

General chat about the car goes in here.
Post Reply
SchaefSpider

leather seat conditioning

Post by SchaefSpider »

81 garage kept spider with sheepskin seat covers for 30 years. I pulled them off to reveal tan leather seats that are in need of serious hydration. no tears but some slight cracking of the surface sheen. Any process and product recommendations apart from slathering it with conditioner? Ive done that a couple times already but it doesnt seem to be helping.
Hobo
Posts: 55
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2012 6:23 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Fiat Spider 2000
Location: Fort Mill, SC

Re: leather seat conditioning

Post by Hobo »

I am in the same position. I have used Lexol products in hopes of rehydration but no success either. I am going to a leather shop to have them seats looked at because I have some cracking.

The research that I have done has not yielded any solutions to date.
User avatar
124ADDHE
Posts: 365
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:19 pm
Your car is a: 1974 Spider Amalgamation with C40 Solex
Location: Salmon Arm, BC, Canada

Re: leather seat conditioning

Post by 124ADDHE »

Mink oil is the best, period - hows that for confrontational :D

Ive used lexol, neatsfoot and mink, the result is that for best hydration and durability, mink is the best, just make sure and use a mild soap and water to clean first, then wash with water, dry completely and then rub as much mink oil as possible (silcone free only!!) onto her, leave in sun for day, repeat. I treat my cars twice a year and only have to do single coats of mink oil since they are on a routine now. Neatfoot is ok for cleaning but has no staying power for a leather seat (i use it on my saddles though, once a year and then topcoat with mink) and lexol is an absolute ripoff for its performance (leave that junk to the bmw boys).

Dont forget to wipe the seats well with a rag before sitting, it feels sticky but really does not leave a noticeable residue on clothes if buffed well.
Regards,
Keith Cox
1973 124 Spider
1973 John Deere 500c backhoe
1987 Jaguar VDP
2013 passat tdi
2015 cherokee
User avatar
courtenay
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 1321
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:41 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000
Location: Courtenay, BC, Canada

Re: leather seat conditioning

Post by courtenay »

Are you sure they are leather? I don't think our cars came with leather seat coverings from the factory. (but I stand to be corrected) I suspect you're dealing with vinyl rather than leather and frankly I'm not sure if (or how) you can rehydrate old vinyl.
Bruce Shearer
'80 Spider Fi
'10 Volvo XC70
'06 GMC 1 Ton PU
'72 Spider a long, long time ago
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: leather seat conditioning

Post by narfire »

81 champagne editions had tan leather and brown dash
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
User avatar
spidernut
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
Location: Lincoln, CA

Re: leather seat conditioning

Post by spidernut »

Leather was an option on my 81- I bought that option and loved it! I second the Mink oil. I asked an upholstery shop owner who had been in business forever what he'd use. He said that's the best. For general maintenance and conditioning, he said to use saddle soap which is Mink oil and a mild cleaner. It will soften and moisturize the leather without rotting out the stitching. He said most of the leather products have alcohol which dries out the stitching.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
User avatar
124ADDHE
Posts: 365
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:19 pm
Your car is a: 1974 Spider Amalgamation with C40 Solex
Location: Salmon Arm, BC, Canada

Re: leather seat conditioning

Post by 124ADDHE »

I found that the armour all gel, when applied heavily and left to sit for a few days, does miracles on pleather, worked great on an old tonneau cover so I imagine that it would have the same effect on old seats as well.

Just to note, the seats i mink oil are my jaguar and range rover, i bought great seat covers from world upholstery last year for the old spider.
Regards,
Keith Cox
1973 124 Spider
1973 John Deere 500c backhoe
1987 Jaguar VDP
2013 passat tdi
2015 cherokee
User avatar
4uall
Posts: 4145
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: leather seat conditioning

Post by 4uall »

Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
MYTHERPY
User avatar
courtenay
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 1321
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:41 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000
Location: Courtenay, BC, Canada

Re: leather seat conditioning

Post by courtenay »

Just to be clear, Jay, the process you've identified appears to be recommended for vinyl upholstery not leather.
Bruce Shearer
'80 Spider Fi
'10 Volvo XC70
'06 GMC 1 Ton PU
'72 Spider a long, long time ago
SchaefSpider

Re: leather seat conditioning

Post by SchaefSpider »

thanks guys, thats a lot of help. I have all the docs and price tag sticker- the PO paid $499 for leather upgrade. That settled, I guess i need to go get me some saddle soap and mink oil and "get in the mood" :)
User avatar
4uall
Posts: 4145
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: leather seat conditioning

Post by 4uall »

courtenay wrote:Just to be clear, Jay, the process you've identified appears to be recommended for vinyl upholstery not leather.
correct :wink:
Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
MYTHERPY
wikkid

Re: leather seat conditioning

Post by wikkid »

I would go the Leatherique route. It's fantastic cleaner, prep and re-conditioner. Rejuvinator and Prestine Clean are the two products. DIY instructions HERE.

My '84 has leather on the wear faces of the seats, and vinyl around the sides and rear of the seat-backs.
Post Reply