Remarkable, like new!

I wish I had taken pics of the worse areas, but didn't. I started by cleaning, using Gliptone cleaner. This lifted a lot of dirt. But ultimately didn't change appearance. They felt dry after, so began conditioning them with any and every leather conditioner, repeated whenever I had nothing better to do over last few weeks. They were now lovely and soft again. Then got some Rover Buckskin Gliptone Scuffmaster. Endless evenings of sitting in a deckchair dabbing away with a sponge, no rush. It seemed to stick to the vinyl bits too, so kept at it,band completed yesterday. Hope it lasts, I am pleased so far, good enough I reckon. Photo makes them lighter than in reality, colour match is good in natural light.
 

Attachments

  • IMG-20220919-WA0004.jpg
    IMG-20220919-WA0004.jpg
    86.8 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_20220919_192524947.jpg
    IMG_20220919_192524947.jpg
    755.4 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_20220919_192550537.jpg
    IMG_20220919_192550537.jpg
    1.9 MB · Views: 23
I'm putting this out here as there are some very expensive solutions to old leather seats. Gliptone not cheap, but for about 40 quid, I got enough for all the seats. Now, so long as it doesn't wipe off on my backside, I reckon money well spent (it hasn't come off as I squirmed around on them putting it all back together!). Really love the simplicity of removal and installation of rear seats. Helped someone with a modern vehicle interior removal, hellish. Rover, a screwdriver and ten minutes, including a cup of tea, lovely)
 
I have in the past used a spray on leather cleaner from one of the big brand names (actually forget which, maybe Armorall?), and it made the seat VERY VERY slippery - was difficult to stay in position while working the steering. Called the maker, washed the stuff off. Have sucessfully used an Italian product, Collonil, available in tissues or cream. Had the leather in one car refurbed professionally - the man actually made a living refurbing women's shoes and handbags, car upholstery was just a sideline. One piece of advice he gave me - most damage to car seats occurs on the outer side bolsters because of the way people slide their backside across them -much better to stand facing away from the seat, sideways, sit directly ON the seat cushion, then turn and swing your legs in. Check the creases in your bolsters.
 
Last edited:
Mick, get a decent Leather Restorer from Woolies. Apply to your seats once a month, for six months initially, then every six months thereafter.
edit/ But first give them a good cleaning with spirits of some sort! Not Scotch!
 
Last edited:
Brian: Other than sitting on them, I am avoiding the seats for some time, seen quite enough of them - but yeah, leather feed/conditioner something i do regularly - going to leave a while to let everything settle, plus they have been seeing a lot of conditioner over the last few months, don't want them being overfed :)
JP: at over 6 foot, I sort of have to fold in half getting in and out of cars, and as such I miss the bolster - but yep, on all my old cars, that's the damage that has been there. My family just sigh as they get into cars with me - 'mind the side of the seat', followed by 'don't slam the bloody door'. My excuse is that's what my father said to us!
 
Great result, but treat it carefully. Used the same products on our Buckskin seats about 5 years ago and loved the result and posted on this site. The rears still look superb but the fronts have been recoloured a few times since.
The colour is more like a surface paint than a dye.
Also noted that applying the conditioner over the recoloured areas tends to remover the colour.
Having said that our seats are still 100% better than when I started.
 
Mike, I'm with you on this........not expecting miracles not perfection, just a bit of improvement is good enough for me too. I'll be careful with the conditioner, thanks for the heads up.
 
Back
Top