Used leather seat - needs some stitching - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cmac2012 · #1 03-03-2012, 11:12 PM

I found a pair of standard (non-Recaro) E30 seats with original leather in surprisingly good shape at a local boneyard - $140. Only flaw is a small amount of separation at one of the stitching points on the driver's seat. Anybody ever tried to pull one of these back together? I have some curved needles, not sure if I risk making things worse. None of the leather is torn between stich-holes. I might break down and take it to an upholstery shop but I really don't want to spend $200 on this. $100 I could live with.

Jim B. · #2 03-04-2012, 01:25 AM

Hey Carl, in the East Bay, try an upholstery place over in East Oakland, on East 14th and 41st (either side, ( +/-23rd to 98th Aves.) or on International Boulevard, or maybe even up on Bancroft and Telegraph going towards Seminary, the Viets and Mexicans in those areas have shops I think, and probably can do it right, at a great bargain price.
Especially for cash.

Oakland www.yelp.com could narrow it down...

Or maybe one of them in east Redwood City....or San Jose for sure if you'd rather look on the Peninsula.

Good luck.

cmac2012 · #3 03-04-2012, 03:38 AM

Hey, that sounds good. I'm not far from the Tijuana town section of Redwood City.

TwitchKitty · #4 03-05-2012, 11:05 AM

I have gotten really good results by glueing a piece of fabric on the back of the tear. Tape it in front to hold it aligned while the glue sets. I have used 5200 adhesive in the past but understand there are faster setting glues available now that set up flexible and NEVER let go.

The problem with restitching is that the strength of the seat cover is not what it was when new and originally stitched. Another tear is likely.

There are kits to refinish leather. (maybe Eastwood?) Most leather is painted. I have not done the repaint thing but look forward to it when the right deal follows me home.

cmac2012 · #5 03-06-2012, 04:37 PM

That's not a bad idea, the glued fabric thing, that is. A guy at Bimmerfest recommended taking the cover off. For some reason, I had thought that would be overly difficult, now that I look closely, it looks to be the best route by far. Just have to bend back a bunch of tabs on the bottom and roll it off the front. None of the leather is torn, so new thread ought to pull it back together, I'd need to go an inch or two in either direction to buttress the current end points of the separation and maybe a spot of glue on the loose thread ends.

But you're right, this leather is not new, it's not horribly brittle but heading that direction. I wondered about future damage as you mention. Perhaps the right sort of glued fabric backing on this seam and the one on the other side would be a good bit of insurance.

Weird thing is, I'm reluctant to put this seat in and beat it up, even with a seat cover, as I'm unlikely to find another anywhere near this good for that price. Might save it for special occasions. A bit nutty, eh? I haven't given up on adapting a passenger seat for the driver's side, as you can find good passenger seats pretty easily. I have a couple I'm hanging onto. So far it looks like it will be tough.