How many have torn leather? (Drivers seat)

[srT4URBO]

I have an 04' SE with black leather interior. I am the second owner of the car with 105k on it. Over the last 30k miles my driver seat has been cracking on the side right above the controls of the seat. Makes sense that the driver seat is torn over any other seat because it is the one that is used the most. All of my other seats are flawless! Im guessing this is common with most other owners? Anyways, is there anything possible to fix it up with? At least so it has better appearance? Ill post a picture later on today to show the damage....

[Pilgrim]

If it breaks, you can always have an upholstery shop replace that panel.

Until then, leather conditioner - and avoiding that spot when entering and exiting - will both help.

[MuranoDriver]

My black leather seat has quite a few wrinkles where you're talking about.

Thanks for the reminder Pilgrim. I need to get some leather conditioner!

[srT4URBO]

Ya I might end up fixing it up sometime, just cant imagine how much they would charge. I guess mainly I was just wondering how common it is... considering I usually try watching out how I get in and out of the car.

[MuranoDriver]

I think you really have to hold yourself up and sit yourself down perfectly straight on the seat. Any weight on the left edge creases the side leather.

It's not too hard but it's hard to get in the habit. I use the steering wheel to help but always forget until I see the creases and start to try again.

[biggijohn]

Originally Posted by srT4URBO

I have an 04' SE with black leather interior. I am the second owner of the car with 105k on it. Over the last 30k miles my driver seat has been cracking on the side right above the controls of the seat. Makes sense that the driver seat is torn over any other seat because it is the one that is used the most. All of my other seats are flawless! Im guessing this is common with most other owners? Anyways, is there anything possible to fix it up with? At least so it has better appearance? Ill post a picture later on today to show the damage....

I have the same problem with my tan leather driver's side. 110K mi.

[srT4URBO]

Originally Posted by MuranoDriver

I think you really have to hold yourself up and sit yourself down perfectly straight on the seat. Any weight on the left edge creases the side leather.

It's not too hard but it's hard to get in the habit. I use the steering wheel to help but always forget until I see the creases and start to try again.

So I paid more attention to the way I sit now. I do sit straight just as I thought when I first read your post BUT I caught myself having the habit of leaving my left leg all the way over to the edge of the seat. Basically just enough to where my knee is basically leaned up against the door. I guess thats just the most comfortable position for me.... Im sure though that getting in and out has to do much with it as well.

[Carguy75]

+1 to leather conditioner. It makes the leather softer and more flexable which prevents cracking. Maybe, if you start using leather conditioner now more often it will smooth the cracked seat and it will become less noticable over time.

[srT4URBO]

Originally Posted by Carguy75

+1 to leather conditioner. It makes the leather softer and more flexable which prevents cracking. Maybe, if you start using leather conditioner now more often it will smooth the cracked seat and it will become less noticable over time.

Its actually ripped to the point where you can see the white layer underneath.... Yup its UGLY!

[srT4URBO]

[Pilgrim]

That's easy enough for a good upholstery shop to replace.

Originally Posted by srT4URBO

Ya I might end up fixing it up sometime, just cant imagine how much they would charge. I guess mainly I was just wondering how common it is... considering I usually try watching out how I get in and out of the car.

Why not stop by and ask? Information is always good.

[Red]

I'd also vote for the upholstery shop they should be able to replace panels on the seat.

That looks like "bonded" leather, which is thin leather bonded to another cloth/plastic layer and that's just not very durable. Any leather is still skin, and skin needs to be lubricated to prevent splitting. Using Lexol (traditional in the horsey set) or another product to clean and feed the leather every 4-6 months should prevent cracking pretyt much forever--but yours is already started, no fast way to fix that.

If it was just a small area, you could try one of the vinly/leather repair kits where you spread on vinyl good and then press a hot iron over it. That gives you a vinyl repair layer--but I'd really go for the upholstery shop, patches will just never do that much work very well.

[Pilgrim]

And I don't think it's that unusual in areas which are compressed and contacted every time you enter and exit.

[Carguy75]

Originally Posted by srT4URBO

Well, I would have to say that leather conditioner will not help that problem. Like posted above, take it to a upholstery shop and have it redone or repaired.

[richtfan]

those pictures of the seat are not leather. the seating surface is, but the side panels are not. they are vinyl. you need some viper vx2 vinyl repair and a heat gun. that will fix it. then you spray paint it with vinyl paint. that's how the pro shops do it.