leather cracking? - need advice

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bentz69

New member
The bolsters on my `14 Mercedes c63 are starting to get those creases/cracks. Bought the car about a year ago and the seats were much better then this. Since I`ve had the car I have used lexol products to clean and condition. What can I do to fix this issue? Is this just dirt/grime/etc that needs to be cleaned out or is something more? The lexol products are not helping the situation.

Would leatherique rejuvenator oil and prestine clean do the job? Or would I need a dye? How about swissvax products?

Any other options to reverse this process and get that leather back to looking new?



 
You did say outer bolsters....
Are you making it a ~point~ that when you get in/out, that you are hop/scooting over the outer bolster. And or the passenger....
The reality is, the outer bolster of any car takes the most abuse, especially with sportish seats like yours where the bolster hugs your contours...

It`s very well possible that the outer bolsters were sprayed for sale, and now as you get in/out, the natural wear texture/lines have shown it`s true colors, which is something IMO you can`t control.
 
I`ll be the nanny naysayer. Coated seats don`t need any PC or conditioners....It just needs to stay clean so that body oils/dirt does not attract and cause agitation/wear on your CoAteD Leather IMO. They key is consistent wipedowns. They go a loooon way as you keep those 2 things away.
 
On my tan leather seats (BMW), a stiff nylon brush and your favorite APC do a great job. I used Meguiars diluted 10 - 1. After the scrub I spray with Griots Leather care spray to get any residue and leave a nice leather scent.

I`ve also coated the seats with Pinnacle Black Label leather coating. Not sure how much that helps to keep things clean.
 
I try really hard to swivel my body when getting in and out to avoid dragging my ass and back over the bolsters but its hard for my six foot, 250lb ass to get in and out of this coupe lol

I figured some wrinkles is part of the natural wear n tear and I suppose white leather shows the dirt in the wrinkles even more?. Nevertheless, I ordered the leatherique kit so lets see what happens before having to go to the extreme of adding dye
 
I never worry too much about creasing. Of all the leather interiors I`ve had, the only time I`ve ever had to get anything reupholstered it was one side bolster from genuine wear back in the `90s. The Tahoe`s front seats are *HORRIBLY* cracked and creased, but with minimal care they`ve not worsened. The Jag`s seats got creased and cracked back in the `80s and are still OK. Etc etc., while it might strike some as unsightly, it`s never been an actual *problem* for me other than that one time and that was a different situation. Heh heh, sonm of my favorite pairs of dress shoes have been showing that since the `80s too but are still 100% OK.

I`d just keep them clean and conditioned and see what happens.
 
That link might get taken down...but yeah, Roger Koh at the Leather Doctor is great. On the rare occasions that I actually do my leather stuff to the best of my ability, that`s what I use. 100% satisfied and it`s all I use in the S8.

And yeah...I gave away my Leatherique twins to a member here, just wasn`t ever gonna bother messing around with that process and wasn`t convinced it was the right/best way to go anyhow.
 
Same thing happened to a buddy but with a BMW. On my advice, he took it to a local upholstery shop and they redyed the bolster. I told him to slide the seat way back when exiting to ease contact with the bolster.
My Mcoupe is a tiny car, awkward as the dickens to enter and exit and the sliding seat trick has kept my bolster looking great over the years.
So, redye the bolster and use your seat slide lever or switch.
 
Leather is a natural product in itself...
If one rubs it consitently, the creases that come of it, get deeper by natural wear-n-tear and the user creating it.
Redying it only MASKS the creases but by regular usage itself, it will show itself in due time - whether it`s 8 months, 12 months, or 24 months. I`d err more on the earlier side..


Bad analogy, but its kinda like a GLAZE for leather.
Redye is moreso for a *repair*, in which you want get the color consistent IMO.

The OP leather looks fine. Redye would entail both seats so it looks consistent.
But bearing post#8, the visual eyeball of the already existing cracks will come back. Not as much due to the new dye but for sure it will come back.
YMMV....
 
I like Leatherique. Used it and don`t mind the process. The most important thing to do is figure out if you have coated or uncoated seats.
Coated seats will derive no protection from Leatherique. I spray Leatherique on the seats and spread it around to cover everything with rubber gloves.
Make sure the windows are rolled up, the outside temperature is at least 80° and leave car parked outside in the sun for at least 4 hours.
I might add more after a couple of hours if it`s really getting sucked up by the finish. I consider Leatherique a very good cleaner.
Clean up the leftover with Prestine Clean and MF`s so that the finish has a kind of Matte look. Ideally, use it twice a year. YMMV.

I`ve used Lexol leather products and been unimpressed.

BTW can`t tell from the picture whether it`s the coating that is cracked or the dye on the leather is fracturing from the leather drying out and flexing of that area causing it.
 
Leatherique rejuvenator oil has been applied. My seats actually have alcantara on the seat cushion and backrest and there is no leather on the rear of the seat. I know the instructions say roughly 4oz of oil should be used per seat but taking into account the way my seats are constructed, I only used 1 oz of oil per front seat and it appears to have a good coating of oil on the leather. I used a small spray bottle, a foam sponge and my fingers. Sprayed the oil on the sponge and worked it into the leather. After the whole seat was done with the pad, I sprayed the oil on my hand and rub it in while leaving a fair amount on the leather. There is a good amount of oil on the seat now but I`m wondering if i should use more?

This is what my seats look like


This is what they look like with the oil on it. Should I apply more?
 
Keeping the leather clean will go a long way in decreasing wear and tear. Dirt is abrasive and acts like sandpaper on leather surfaces, prematurely wearing the factory Coating on the leather.
 
JSFM35X said:
Keeping the leather clean will go a long way in decreasing wear and tear. Dirt is abrasive and acts like sandpaper on leather surfaces, prematurely wearing the factory Coating on the leather.
Click to expand...

That`s how I`d approach it too. No way you can tell yourself it`s "patina" and live with it? You might want to skip the light colored interior next time as that`s sorta the nature of the beast IMO.
 
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