DIY Leather Restoration

JoeySully

Got my rear seat base out last night to give it a good wash.

the buttons on one side had all rusted away and the leather on that side had gone quite hard. Got it out of the car and found that under the seat was wet. I think it might be coming in the window seal :mad: will have to check. here it is anyway before


carefully removed the leather from the base, I then gave it a good cleaning with some Autoglym Car Leather Cleaner. I did this twice - the water was soo black with dirt after the first time

Then using Autoglym Leather Care Cream i rubbed it in a few times to see if the leather would soften. It has got a bit softer and much cleaner now.

think I'll repeat the cream every day this week to see if it will get nice and soft.

here it is after cleaning and creaming


oh and here are the rusted buttons :eek: anyone know where i could get some replacements.


any tips or tricks on how I can get a better finish?

MercMad

Try www.woolies-trim.co.uk

or www.newgrangeleathers.com

Good luck !

sogood

A good way to clean leather is to use "rubbing alcohol" diluted with equal parts clean water. Applied with a moist cloth and rubbed dry. As for the buttons, any upholsterers could do them for you in a few minutes. Many many years back, I worked during school holidays at my uncles' upholstery business and they had a little hand operated machine, like a bench stand for an electric drill, that churned out buttons, like yours, at a great rate. Shouldnt be a big deal for someone to knock out a few for you.

alpina

http://www.leatherique.com/products.html

Have used & is pretty good...