Had the back seat out for conditioning and decided to try to take the leather covers off to attempt to deal with the seams coming apart in two places - right smack in the center of the seat where it gets the most exposure from the sun.

Thus far, I've been nourishing the seats with Leatherique and I must say it's a very good product. The leather was as hard as cardboard to start with and after a week of nourishing it with Rejuvenating oil the leather had softened up and became much more supple - so I've decided to take the leather off - which wasn't too difficult. Then, and this was my folly - I've decided (foolishly) to try to pull on the leather in hopes of stretching it to see if it would be possible to sow it all together again and of course I made it worse... a tore a piece of it.. dang it - you can see it in one of the photos showing the back of the leather cover...

What are my options for fixing this thing if any - I don't wanna spend a ton of money replacing panels with brand new leather... Has anyone done any repairs like that that could give some suggestions?!

Thanks
James

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

FWIW, I did this several years ago with a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville. I went to a craft shop, got some different sized curved and straight needles, and spent a day carefully restitching this, which held for about 5 years ago. You might even have to cut a bit of the leather or other material from an ubobtrusve place and use it like a patch, patching from the inside, if the seam holes are torn.

This worked for me, but requires patience. Do it a little at a time. It can be done.

Good luck!

PS I am interested in which leather products you used to make the seats so supple.

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

The product I purchased was Leatherique (www.leatherique.com) - I got a 32oz kit - about $140.00 plus shipping... but I like it a lot - these seats were butt-ugly and this product has brought them back a lot. I'm going to redye the leather in some areas - eventually...

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

I have the same issue on the back of the SD. I asked about it at the local upholstery shop, they said that is dried up leather, nothing can be done except replace it.
A friend mentioned maybe using a strip of fabric from a sewing supply store and gluing it over the seams, haven't tried that yet and think it'll just come off were anyone to sit back there. Doesn't happen in my car, so one day I'll get around to it.

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83 SD

84 CD

Had my mom over today and she stitched it as best as she could - in all honesty it looks ugly - we both think so, but it's better than it was - and at least it has some structural integrity now as the new polyester thread is really really strong. In order to improve the appearance, I'm thinking of gluing a thin strip of leather to cover up the ugly seams, then coloring the whole thing with a new dye - that's the general plan, let's see how it pans out...

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Good luck, take pics.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

I am considering gluing a piece of leather behind the rip and using Leatherique crack filler to fill the seam that is left and then apply the leather dye. I am not sure the crack filler will stay in the indentation if the leather bends and stretches. I will have to try it and see how it works.