Anyone skilled in mending upholstery?

I had a read of that article, thanks, sounds like a plan.

ABS? What's that? Oh yes, its that disco light on my dashboard that comes and goes as it sees fit with no particular pattern to it

I think its going to have to go in the garage. I was hoping to tackle the problem myself but it looks like its going to be a proper carry on.

 

I've had that problem! - my emergency STOP do not proceed, don't do anything, call the AA/RAC dire warning light came on whenever I pressed the mileometer trip button. I saved what probably would have been a several hundred pound repair bill by using a cheapo Wilko's notepad and ballpoint pen to do the calcs myself (and I placed them in front of that blinking light just in case it happened again).

 

Just a little update.

First up, I must humbly bow to Sheal.

I wasn't going to, but I saw some fabric glue in the pound shop:(

All it did was made the job ten times harder. The glue didn't hold, so it peeled apart again, only now edges were glued up, so it was ten times harder to maneuver the needle and thread which I had to use in the end anyway.

If Sheal tells you don't do something, ignore her at your own peril. You have been warned.

Anyway, I'm pleased to say its all sewn up nice and neat now.

Next job on the seat is to find something like what they used to call 'Scuff Coat' when I was little. I remember my mam using it regularly to restore the finish on my school shoes. Kiwi once a week, and scuff coat every day. I daren;t use Kiwi on the seat, because I'll never get the colour match right, so I'll have to seek out something like scuff coat to restore the finish.

 

Yep, she told me not to pull my own tooth out, and she was right. I now haven't got a tooth.

 

Thanks Clueless, I'm not going to say I told you so, no I definitely won't say that, but I did say don't use glue! Now it's all sewn up are we going to see a picture of your fine handy work please.

I don't remember scuff coat, but tell me now young Clueless, what would you be wanting to use it for, a polish perhaps or something to 'moisturise' the leather?

Zigs, you're such a fibber!

 

I'll try to remember to take a pic tomorrow Sheal.

Scuff Coat used to come in a bottle with a built in brush in the lid. You used to shake it up and then paint it on. I remember it being just like a coloured wash/light wax. It didn't do magic, but it would take fine scratches out of leather, short term, until the weekly Kiwi polish job.

For moisturising the leather, the traditional solution (from when you used to keep horses when I was a kid) was linseed oil for all the leather tack, but I've since read that its highly flammable so not sure I want to use it in the car. A good wash with saddle soap might be a better option. Ultimately I want to rejuvenate the leather a bit, and then restore the coloured. On most of the seats it is absolutely fine, but as the driver's seat is always the one that takes the most punishment, mine is a bit scuffed and cracked in places, so I just want to restore the finish.

 

I'm thinking of the more natural remedies now Clueless. What about pure lanolin (no additives) I've seen it for sale on Ebay and Amazon. Beeswax is another idea, but you might find your self sliding all over the place when cornering.

I'm trying to think what my son bought to use on his biking leathers but can't remember, I'll send him an email later. You could ring your local motorcycle shop and ask them.

 

My seats are only half leather. The bits my bum and back are in contact with are fabric, its just the sides and head restraint that's leather, so probably wont be a problem.

 

I've emailed him Clueless and he said he was told to use Beeswax. He said that it worked a treat and brightened the colours in the leather.