canuck9

So I got in my car today and I think the button on my jean pocket put a rub mark/smudge on my leather seat bolster. I tried using some leather cleaner/protector but it would not fix it. I'm I screwed? Or is there a way to minimize this damage?

Thanks
Michael

Grzldvt1

Is it just a metal smudge, ie a transfer of the metal from the button or is the leather actually damaged?
If it is a transfer, you can moisten a Magic Eraser with leather Cleaner and gently rub the spot. Magic Erasers are pretty harsh, but they do work.
I use them all the time in my detail shop and they work like a charm. If you rub really hard there is a slim possibility of removing the coating on the seat.

You always want to make the Eraser is always moist before you begin to rub back and forth
2nd time I got to use that line

If the leather is actually damaged, then you can take it to an upholstery shop and they can repair it. I have seen some where they can fix it without removing the panel, others they remove and replace the panel.

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

Sounds like you scuffed the coating and if its true then repair is needed.

canuck9

Yes...I tried the baking soda cure and that didn't work...I definitely scuffed the coating...makes me sick. How do I go about repairing it? I know I can bring it to someone but what do they do to fix it? Just replace it? Or can it be salvaged?

Thanks
Michael

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

I've seen several different type of repairs. Some use a dye to match coloring. Others remove the piece and replace it. If you were thinking about custom seat covers, now is the time.

Boomer111

I have the same problem and just learned to live with it.

Dying the seat cover could make things worse.

First have to define type of leather before doing any alterations.

My leather guy did not want to mess with it. Seat cover probably is the best way to go.

JVM225

Take it to a good automotive upholstery shop. They can more than likely fix it so that you'll never know it was there.

Grzldvt1

This. done it many times for my customers.

Rob4092xx

Be careful as the bolsters are not leather...they are vinyl.

Once you get through that first coat of the vinyl, you are done! You can't repair it like leather. You have to live with it or replace the bolster.

Dye will not soak into the vinyl so it will look good until you sit in the car. Then the dye wipes right off since it cannot attach itself to vinyl. Vinyl has no pores for the liquid to sink into to create adhesion.

Besides, these mobile repair shops don't "dye" anything. All they do is spray paint on the vinyl and call it dye. What a waste of money!

z06clif

I had what I thought was a smudge on my bolster. It turned out to be the begining of "wear out" and rip. Sure enough it began to tear. I got a good price from Gene cully for a new piece but I decided to try a repair myself. I went to pep Boys and got a Vinyl repair kit from "permatex". Did the repair yesterday and it came out pretty good.

Clif