Leather Repair/Replacement for my 1999 LX470

[wkbogie]

Hey Guys,
I bought an LX470 a couple weeks ago. It is a great truck so far, but like most cars with 160k on the clock, it needs a few repairs. has a 65mph shimmy, rough ride, bad brakes, doors rattle and the front seats are not up to par for my wife (or me).

So, I have read and reread the threads on leather replaceents and narrowed it down to:
1. Lseat $300- for a good cheap replacement ( Front only- but have to remove the old leather and install replacements)
2. Try to have the leather repaired locally
3. Coverking $250- Leatherette covers over original leather- High quality (front seats only) also have leather for a little more
4. Leatherseats.com- $1300 for all 3 rows- ( remove and replace OM leather)- I don't need 3 rows

I decided to call a local company called "Leather and Vinyl MD" since they had great reviews on Yelp to get a quote while waiting on my "LSeat" samples. They said to take several close up pics of the seats that need repair and email them for a quote. Well, I sent them on Thursday and Friday they called with a quote of $170. Well. at that price, I may as well give it a shot.

They scheduled for about 5 days out and came to my house. It took them about 2 hours to do the work. The car could not be driven for 3 hours afterwards either. I did see them scrub the seats with cleaners, scuff them up abit and then redye them. I am very satisfied! They are not brand new, but they look great. They even patched a rip in the pass seat and you can't even notice it. I am not sure how they will hold up over time, but I is worth it for my time and money. If it doesn't hold up, I will prob try Lseat.

Before Pics

 

[wkbogie]

After Pics

 

[2001LC]

Good price & results. I'll spend that much just doing myself.

 

[wkbogie]

Thanks man. I agree. I am not sure if these guys are a franchise or not, but I am sure there are a bunch of companies that do this in major cities.

 

[FJCowboy]

Wow, that looks really good. Mine could use some TLC like that.

 

[macmann]

I use to be in the car sales business and dye many seats. The problem with most dyes is that they will eventually peal over time.

 

[2001LC]

I use to be in the car sales business and dye many seats. The problem with most dyes is that they will eventually peal over time.

All seat are dyed, so wouldn't quality of job done and materials used determine the eventual outcome?

 

[SWUtah]

I Mcgivered my DS with gorilla tape Just needed in the scuff area were you drag your butt across the outside edge. Did it before any ripping or separation happened. Just looks like that area is plastic coated. What can I say, cost nothing, had the tape in my tool box.

 

[Dwight S]

The problem with most dyes is that they will eventually peal over time.

To the OP... Ask me how I know.... (See my location) Used the same company back after I bought my Cruiser. Looked good until my first time wiping off the leather with a damp cloth. The wash cloth turned grey, the same color as my interior. Over the last couple of years, I've pretty much "cleaned" the dye off and I'm left with the before look again. Been tempted to try the Leatherque cleaners & dyes, but I hate to thrown good money after bad. IMHO, nothing will beat replacement leather.

 

[wkbogie]

Man, that sucks to hear. Did you ever contact them?
More importantly, did it get on your clothes?
If this wears off, I think I will go with Lseat.

 

[Emcd]

Try SEM leather dye. It's the best stuff around for complete redye. I'm going to do my front seats this weekend. They have special soap that you apply with a grey 3M scuff pad, then a spray airasol cleaner that static charges the leather. The dye is the last step. I used it on faded vinyl seat and it held up to CO sun for years. I'll post a complete step by step after I finish one seat.

 

[wkbogie]

Try SEM leather dye. It's the best stuff around for complete redye. I'm going to do my front seats this weekend. They have special soap that you apply with a grey 3M scuff pad, then a spray airasol cleaner that static charges the leather. The dye is the last step. I used it on faded vinyl seat and it held up to CO sun for years. I'll post a complete step by step after I finish one seat.

Please let em know how it goes. I have a Lincoln Aviator that need some seat work in the near future.

 

[Dwight S]

I did not contact them. I was told by the employee to expect some of the dye to come off when I first clean it. Well, not only the first time, but every time. Even now, if I clean the seams and rub hard, I'll still get some grey dye. I really want to try Leatherque cleaners and dyes, just to see. But I've got some cracks and a couple of little cuts and the leather is somewhat hard. I probably just need to focus on saving the money for new leather instead of trying to put lipstick on a pig. Even if it's my pig.

 

[TXLX100]

If an owner is keeping long term, my suggestion is to re-cover with leather or other product, or high quality seat covers. Saves time and money in the long run.

 

[wkbogie]

I did not contact them. I was told by the employee to expect some of the dye to come off when I first clean it. Well, not only the first time, but every time. Even now, if I clean the seams and rub hard, I'll still get some grey dye. I really want to try Leatherque cleaners and dyes, just to see. But I've got some cracks and a couple of little cuts and the leather is somewhat hard. I probably just need to focus on saving the money for new leather instead of trying to put lipstick on a pig. Even if it's my pig.

Haha. I have another pig that is a Rhinolined bronco and I keep throwing money at it.
As far as seats, I know the feeling. It's a tough decision to make. I have seen the Lseat ones and they are really good for the money, just have to install them yourself. The CoverKing covers, that I have seen in a friends truck are really nice for covers as well.

 

[rph74]

Fwiw I had my leather restored/redyed 4-5 years ago and it has still held up great. The fact that my rig is garaged probably helps that.