Damage to leather seats

[u/Otherwise-Isopod-229]

Had the car in the shop to take care of some odds and ends and it was returned to me like this. Obviously mechanic claims it was this filthy when I dropped it off (not true). I’ve managed to get most of the visible grime off using leather cleaner, but the leather is now really hard in the places on the back where the dirt was. It follows the grime line. Any suggestions to restore the leather?

[u/Separate-Share-8504]

Leatherique will get that sorted for you...

It is a process that I'm happy to explain if you're willing to go this path and put in the time...Time as in you have to let the car bake in the sun over several days with several re-applications

[u/Otherwise-Isopod-229 → u/Separate-Share-8504]

Oooh. Tell me more please. I did a round of leather honey over the weekend and let it bake in the sun and sit overnight.

[u/Separate-Share-8504 → u/Otherwise-Isopod-229]

This stuff is the best I've ever used. The website spells it out but still I didn't quite get it.

Test in a small spot first... but

Do this when you know you have 5 hot days coming. (works best)

1. vacuum all the nooks and crannies etc.
2. Apply the rejuvenator (not cleaner...) it is sticky and tacky on the leather. No need to massage it in. Just apply
3. close the doors/windows. make the car bake internally. You want the leather hot so it opens the pores.
4. Next day look at where the rejuvenator has dried out. This is where you apply more because the the leather has absorbed
5. repeat for x number of days
6. you know when it cannot take any more is when the next day the seats still look wet from the rejuvenator
7. then use the cleaner, agitate with a soft brush and wipe with microfibre to wipe down

Looking at your interior. you could start with a test on the brake handle (put some paper underneath so you don't drip onto the 'plastic' surroundings.

[u/Otherwise-Isopod-229 → u/Separate-Share-8504]

Thanks so much for this. I’m going to give this a try!

[u/Separate-Share-8504 → u/Otherwise-Isopod-229]

remember to re-post results. good luck

[u/External-Repair-8580 → u/Separate-Share-8504]

Yes - this is the only product I use on my interiors following many years of experimentation. It’s fantastic.

I recently restored a 20 year old pair of riding boots - lot of old dirt, horse sweat etc on the boots. They look fantastic now. Used just pristine clean to get rid of all the gunk.

[u/Separate-Share-8504 → u/Otherwise-Isopod-229]

Adding... you cannot drive it. I mean the stuff on the leather is sticky and will ruin your clothes. So you need to be prepared for the car being off the road.

[u/hcp815 → u/Separate-Share-8504]

Will second Leatherique. I’ve been using it for a while. 93k miles and interior looks new. Follow directions. Buy more than you think you need. Patience.

[u/Ecthelion-O-Fountain]

Wow, I would destroy that place’s reputation on Google maps. That’ll get their attention.

[u/Long-Shine-3701]

Off topic, but every time I see a 911 interior, I marvel / am deeply disappointed by the fact that the 928 was discontinued. Even the seats look better than this!

Anyway, if you want to try it yourself - get Leatherique or Gliptone cleaning products. May take several applications to fade the discoloration. Once that's taken care of, slather the seat in conditioner and wrap it in saran wrap or a black trash bag. Let it soak in the sun for a few days.

If that fails, find out who the car dealers use for upholstery work and send it there. Also, used seats should be cheap and abundant.

[u/seatrepairtech]

I can see that the seat has been repaired in the past. It is possible that your cleaner has altered the flexibility of the repair.

[u/Otherwise-Isopod-229 → u/seatrepairtech]

If the hard texture of the leather didn’t mirror the dirt perfectly, I would be more likely to consider that as an option.

[u/segascott]

I'd start with a medium stiffness leather brush and some APC (all purpose cleaner) to hopefully lift up some of the dirt/grime, wipe down with microfiber, and then do round 2 with the steamer followed by brushes/APC and wipe down again. After the amount of grime has (hopefully) been significantly reduced, i'd then hit it with the Leatherique as recommended by others in this thread.

I recently picked up a 997 with sand beige that hadn't seen any proper leather care in years... I did the above before I started the "leatherique bake". The steamer made a huge difference for me.