What do people do about their leather seats?

[techboss]

I've searched for but not found a thread discussing what people generally do about their older, worn leather seat covers. As the fleet of W123s/W126s is older and typically higher miles, the drivers seats invariably have worn spots. What do people do? I don't necessarily want to spring for $800 worth of replacement seat covers. I would rather not have one of those big woolly sheepskin covers -- I pass a lot of gas and don't want the smell trapped in there. I absolutely don't want a $29.95 set with flames or 8-balls from the local parts store. Duct tape? Don't be ridiculous!

Do you folks generally have a local upholstery shop replace the arm rest and seat back or seat bottom covers, attempting to dye them the correct color. Do you wait for a donor car that is low miles, immaculate interior and no seat wear (yeah, right!)?

My car is a top-of-the-line luxury cruiser, and I want to respect that heritage. On the other hand, I don't have $800 waiting to fly away.

So, what does everyone else do? Or better yet, does anyone have a good driver's seat back and armrest in palomino or a driver's seat back and bottom in tobacco? I need to do something with the seats in two late model W126 SDLs.

What says the forum?

[rrgrassi]

Don't pass gas...just kidding.

Actually, I would geta quote from a known good auto upholstry shop, or peruse the wrecking yards for good seat parts.

[toomany MBZ]

I had the local upholstery shop fix the hole in the back side bolster on the drivers seat in the SD, $200, I think. So depending on what needs work, it may be too pricey. However, you may want to get an estimate for it.

[dannym]

I had a quote from an auto shop that does upholstery, came highly recommended. To replace the seat & armrest leather was $400 I think.

[Jeremy5848]

For those areas that are not damaged/worn, and for those whose leather seats are still nice, I recommend a product called "Lexol." We have used it for years on motorcycle leather riding suits, leather car and motorcycle seats, etc. Note: Lexol is for smooth leather finishes only, not "roughout" leather. You can buy Lexol at some outdoor shops, better car and motorcycle places, horsey places, etc.

Jeremy

[Dee8go]

Leatherique also has kits for leather upholstery rejuvenation and redyeing. They work quite well and include the solutions for keeping your learther supple.

Check out threads about that in the detailing section.

[daw_two]

What color interior do you need? I had to ask. Coda's driver seat ....first got a later 560SEL passenger seat.....then a correct matching "pattern" passenger seat from CA --- THANKS, Charlie!!!

I recently saw a set of "camel" front seats --- the skins were decent; but the springs were shot.

[charmalu]

[quote=daw_two;2054454]What color interior do you need? I had to ask. Coda's driver seat ....first got a later 560SEL passenger seat.....then a correct matching "pattern" passenger seat from CA --- THANKS, Charlie!!!

Dave, happy to hear the seat was a perfect match. I also have the black interior out of the same car. was almost perfect also.

When we bought to 84SD it had leather interior, and was in bad shape.
replacing it in leather, If I remember right, would have been $2200.00.
but that might have been with the carpet kit also.

we had the upholstery made in MB Tex instead of leather. with the carpet it was $1600.00.
MB Tex doesn`t have the up keep problems leather has, and doesn`t look
all that bad. unless you are a purest.

Charlie

[babymog]

Depends on the problem; the leather or just the dye.

The color of the leather is a sprayed-on vinyl paint. When the leather flexes, the dye flakes off, and you have "cracks" which are actually just missing dye. If that's your problem, the seat can be cleaned and re-dyed. I'll find photos of the process if I can and post them, I've done this successfully several times with a product from SEM (which can be color-matched). Or, you can treat the leather to keep it soft and live with the "character" of the voids in the dye.

If the leather is actually damaged, then you need new seat covers.

[JimmyL]

I keep my eyes open at the salvage yards and swap in seats in MB Tex when I find them. They hold up much better down here.....

[techboss]

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

For those areas that are not damaged/worn, and for those whose leather seats are still nice, I recommend a product called "Lexol." We have used it for years on motorcycle leather riding suits, leather car and motorcycle seats, etc. Note: Lexol is for smooth leather finishes only, not "roughout" leather. You can buy Lexol at some outdoor shops, better car and motorcycle places, horsey places, etc.

Jeremy

Jeremy, I want to take your advice. I went to Lexol's web site, which sent me to my local Advance Auto Parts. They have a Lexol Part No 1115 that is a cleaner and Part No 1015 that is a conditioner. Were you talking about a two-part process, or is there another product from Lexol that does both, or what?

[Cr from Texas]

Originally Posted by techboss

Jeremy, I want to take your advice. I went to Lexol's web site, which sent me to my local Advance Auto Parts. They have a Lexol Part No 1115 that is a cleaner and Part No 1015 that is a conditioner. Were you talking about a two-part process, or is there another product from Lexol that does both, or what?

I bought both front seats from a 1985 123 because I needed one set of springs. The first was bad so I purchased the second one. They are leather and tan (palamino?) in color. I discarded all the skins that had holes. The rest of the parts are cluttering my garage. IIRC, the skins I have show wear and need a good cleaning. Is that better than what you have? Any plans to be in the DFW area? PM if interested.

[Jeremy5848]

Originally Posted by techboss

Jeremy, I want to take your advice. I went to Lexol's web site, which sent me to my local Advance Auto Parts. They have a Lexol Part No 1115 that is a cleaner and Part No 1015 that is a conditioner. Were you talking about a two-part process, or is there another product from Lexol that does both, or what?

Ken, the stuff we use is called "Lexol / Original Formula / Leather Conditioner / Preservative / Softens Leather / Prevents Cracking." The stuff is a one-part formula, you use it straight from the bottle. Their "item #1013," we paid $12.99 for a quart bottle from "Western Farm," a local farm/outdoors place that is popular with horsey people, gardeners, etc.

Jeremy

[techboss]

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Ken, the stuff we use is called "Lexol / Original Formula / Leather Conditioner / Preservative / Softens Leather / Prevents Cracking." The stuff is a one-part formula, you use it straight from the bottle. Their "item #1013," we paid $12.99 for a quart bottle from "Western Farm," a local farm/outdoors place that is popular with horsey people, gardeners, etc.

Jeremy

Excellent! The picture points me to exactly what I thought was the right product. Thanks.