I just got orders from my wife that she wants the 95 XJ6 (x300) to look like new again. This means seat leather restoration. I would like to hear from anyone that has experience with leather restoration especially what company provides the best products. Seats are in pretty good shape and from what I seem to recall these can be brought back to like new.

Please help me out guys. She says money is no object. Well almost.

 

I have used both Leatherique and Leather World products. My best results with the seats have been by stripping the old finish completely with Scotchbrite pads and acetone and refinishing several coats with a air brush. Door panels, etc. I just clean with acetone.

The stripping has to be done outdoors using care to not abrade the threads of the seams more than necessary. Most owners just abrade the old finish rather than remove it, but I think adhesion and future cracking are better avoided by stripping.

 

I don't think there is a "best" product. Everyone has their favourite and I'm sure they are all very good.

I use Furniture Clinic products. They have a very wide range of cleaners, sealers, fillers, colour, finish etc. and good tutorials on their web site. I've had good success with them on a number of seats.

I agree with RJ that a good quality Air Brush is essential for the best finish. If the seats are piped, use narrow model makers masking tape to cover the piping while spraying.

Here's a before and after of my Daimler seats that I did recently. The before is as I bought them from a seller on ebay and is a good example of what a bad restoration looks like.

 

I've done my own too and happy with the results. Amazed too how long they've held up since. But if you don't want to do it yourself, I know someone locally that I've used on dash and other vinyl repairs. I will PM his contact info.

 

+1 RJ & Brendan's comments. I'm a Gliptone fan. Used a sponge for the armrest and some spot-work on the seat. Would definitely use an airbrush/spray apparatus for whole-seat or entire interior.

 

I just remembered that when I did my Maserati I used my Harbor Freight mini detail spray gun. Less than $15 and does a great job on mid size projects like seats. But you need a pressure regulator, also inexpensive, if you don't already have one.

 

Thanks guys for the very good information. My seats are in pretty good condition except for being dirty and a few cracks starting to show. Also a lot of wear on the drivers bolster. I have seen pictures where these problems were evidently solved by some kind of filler material or past. Any info along this line?

 

Leatheriqe makes a filler that usually is a thick vinyl paste. But last time I bought some it was thinner than I liked. I would have sent it back but decided it was okay if applied in more layers. I really didn't need much so it wasn't important.

 

Really!

I'd be telling her where to find the cleaning products.

Graham

 

The problem I've found with "restoring" the seats is in the process they seem to use. The only proper way to restore the seats is to have them recovered. Redyeing the seats involves using a filler for cracks,and you must also use a scotchbrite pad (like stated) but by doing this you lose the grain of the leather. If you look at one of these seats you can actually see the sections that have been redone since it has a smooth,almost glossy finish to it compared to the original grainy texture. Another issue to consider is that after this process is done you need to be careful on what products to use when cleaning the seats because some cleaners will discolor or remove the dyes and fillers. Just ask a good automotive detailer and they can tell you.

 

I have found that not following the Leatherique procedure of using sandpaper, rather using acetone or lacquer thinner to remove the old finish with a scotchbrite to help it along does not remove the grain. Obviously, you can't be aggressive and use nothing coarser than a red scotchbrite. I go through a lot of paper towels and that is what removes most of the dye.

 

I had my driver side bolster repaired at a local upholstery shop replacing just that one panel with a matching leather grain (tho the color did not match exactly). Then re-colored the whole seat. I did not fill in cracks so they are still evident on the leading edge of the seat bottom if you look for them, but they are not obvious. Painting the seats with an airbrush is the easy part, but filling the cracks so they disappear is the part that requires practice and skill. I was afraid that I'd just make it look worse if I tried.

 

There are some useful video's on YouTube on leather restoration and may give you an idea on wether or not you wish to tackle the work.

 

You're not married, are you?