So, I had a bad leather bolster n the drivers side. I ordered the gliptone repair kit and followed the instructions, even took time to use fingernail clippers to remove the fine hide strands in the worn area so it would be smooth. They weren't ripped just worn in the area I guess that gets the rubbing from sliding in and out. Not even cracks.
They looked great for about a month and I started noticing fine scuffing even though I really am conscious about not flopping down in the seat. And now, they look about the same as before I repaired.
Is this just the nature of the beast? My gut tells me once ith original leather finish is compromised, there's no real going back.
Since I'm having the center panels rep,aced with brown alcantara, I guess I'll try to find some leather to replace the bolster. Any other suggestions? I did find some vinyl that's a decent match but not perfect. Even the leather I looked at isn't a perfect match. Any place to get factory leather panels???

 

I did one of my side bolsters a couple of years back with a similar kit. As you say, for the first few weeks, it looks ok, but now it's almost back to what it was. I intend getting the leather replaced at a retrimmers one day when I can find a good specialist locally.

 

I'm actually considering ordering new leather skins for both seats. All this work on the car and then to have 11 year old seats. I know there is a company that actually makes them from jaguar leather np but I can't find them now! Was hoping to possibly send them the suede to use on the inserts and having my local trim shop install them.

 

Phil,

I replaced both of my front seat covers with a brand new leather set from Vic's on the west coast...he sells online as Topsonline.com.

You can find a link to his Jaguar seat covers HERE.

In my case, the new leather covers were of high quality, and the color match was near perfect. He even throws in loose matching leather for your center console and cupholder cover, should you want to replace them.

I've been very happy with this purchase.


.

 

IMHO, painting (dying) seat upholstery is a dirty trick for used car lots and nothing more.......the service life of the "repair" can probably be measured in hours....

 

The leather Jaguar used on these cars, Conolly leather, is, as I recall, an extinct brand. There was something special about those bulls that can't be matched by the current herd. If you're going to get new leather, do so knowing that it will not be the same brand of prestigious, long lived (since 1878), royal leather used originally in the car.

The problem is, as with anything organic, is that eventually, it will decompose. No matter how good the leather, how well it was treated, if it was neglected at a time, it will start to show. The only way to preserve something that once held life, indefinitely, without freezing it, is to bathe it in formaldehyde, but who in their right minds would do that to their car?

 

Herman Munster would. I know you're just a kid, so you'll have to Google it....

 

Phil - use the link The Coupe provided - topsonline - several here have used them and provided excellent feedback - I am looking at a set from there as well - at $600 for both front seats and center console - not a bad price

 

The dyes can be made to last a long time if applied using professional techniques and materials. This would amount to cleaning, stripping, fine sanding, spray on dye application, sanding between coats and a clear finish coat. Few people do that at home.

 

I was just going to ask the posters if they had used the sealer.

Some vendors don't include it as part of the kits and list it as a separate item. Perhaps this is to keep the perceived cost and difficulty lower.

But if someone reads the application guides or talks to a leathercraft store, all of a sudden, the topic of the sealer comes up.

 

I used Leatherique dye on mine, rubbed on three coats with a flannel cloth after filling the cracks. It's holding up well, but I also have the klear kote on hand if I need it. That was in April, but I have only driven about 600 mi since then.

 

Try the how-to articles on the site below:

Leatherique Canada

Much better than the parent site.

 

I spent a lot of time on my 30 year old merc seat, I cleaned/scotch padded them with two supplied solvents for wax and silicone removal, then I did a final degrease with brake cleaner.

Sprayed them with three coats of dye, one coat of sealer and then a top coat of clear mat.

Realistically this needed to be done out of the car. I did this more than 2 years ago and the finish is still good.

 

They look great. You've basically given them a new Connolley (?) finish.
But my issue is I don't have the space, equipment or time to remove seats and do this kind of repair simply for a bolster. I'm frustrated because when I purchased the kit, they assured me if I followed the instructions I would have no problem. I was never told about a sealer or any other process needed to keep them In The repaired condition.
Like I said, I've had two other jaguar's that had repaired seats and the cracks, scratches came back in a few months. I'm seriously thinking about new skins!

 

What particular brand(s) did you use?

 

I sent these guys a small bit of leather from beneath one of the seats so they could match the colour exactly and bought one of their kits.

Leather Colourant Kit

I also bought one of their tear kits.



Went to this

 

I have a question. I know jaguar used conolley leather, basically painted leather.
Do our cars have the same type? I'm wondering if they are still using a top coat finish, not a natural leather finish, is this why the cracks keep coming back?

 

I am not sure but I remember reading that you can test to see if it is sealed by putting on a drop of water, if it is absorbed it has not been sealed.

 

Connolly Leather ceased trading in 2002. Their method of treating hides for car seats is carried on by many firms as it was not a secret how they did it. One firm bought the rights to use the name to produce leather cleaners and hide food.
I use Gliptone leather conditioner every two months on my seats, it keeps the leather supple and gives a nice aroma of leather. Most seats in British cars are not sealed merely really well conditioned which means over time they will dry out and crack. Conditioning is the key.
Keith

 

Thanks for the update.

I'm stuck with a litre of self mix right now .... if I ever get around to it.