C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Leather seats garbage

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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 03:19 PM
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Default Leather seats garbage

Replaced the seats in my 85 about 5 years ago and the seats are junk again. I treated them all the time and it didn't seem to help at all. The holes seem to promote splitting. Anyone had better luck with leather seats without the holes. How about the leatherette stuff that you can find now. Cost is much less than leather. Wondering if it's obvious that the seats aren't leather. Thanks
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 03:49 PM
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I think an earlier owner replaced the seats in my Vette with leatherette. They look like leather from about 6" away, but up close you can tell they're not. It did take me a while to notice, and honestly I started wondering only because I've seen the condition of other seats of that vintage, plus the leather seats in my wife's Legacy are also cracking between the perforations and it's 10+ years newer.
[RICHR]
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 03:49 PM
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Thats why you dont want perforated leather, its crap. Dries out too easy and starts splitting.

The leather-like stuff is just as good to me.
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 04:28 PM
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So you guys with the fake stuff would go that route again?
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 04:43 PM
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Any comments from someone who has owned the fake stuff for some time?

And who is selling the best covers? Ecklers and Corvette Central list the fakers at $349/pr, whereas TLD has them listed at $280/pr. Are the selling the same products?
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 05:36 PM
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Ive only had the fakies for 8mos now, I have zero complaints about it.

Not quite as hot and sticky as real leather either if you ask me.
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 05:38 PM
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I replaced mine with non- preforated leather. Much better than original. I'm happy with them.
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by vader86
Ive only had the fakies for 8mos now, I have zero complaints about it.

Not quite as hot and sticky as real leather either if you ask me.

Vader, which vendor did you purchase yours from?
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 05:54 PM
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I had someone locally make them from material and new foam, I didnt buy anything off the shelf.
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 07:21 PM
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I have found TLD to be cheaper than other Corvette parts suppliers. They probably have the same product as Echlers.
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Joslinm
Replaced the seats in my 85 about 5 years ago and the seats are junk again. I treated them all the time and it didn't seem to help at all. The holes seem to promote splitting. Anyone had better luck with leather seats without the holes. How about the leatherette stuff that you can find now. Cost is much less than leather. Wondering if it's obvious that the seats aren't leather. Thanks
Just too offer a differing opinion

I like the perforsted leather, I have it on my 88 and while I have had some seat/leather cracking problems, it has not been because of the perforations!

The perforations do add some "breathability" to the seats, which I appreciate on 700 to 800 mile runs

have had great success with Lexol products, applied four times a year

seeya
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 09:24 PM
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I like Wet Okle. If I thought I had a collectable car I might spring for new leather but I don't so this is what I have
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Redeasysport
I like Wet Okle. If I thought I had a collectable car I might spring for new leather but I don't so this is what I have
I got the wet okole also. Mine have the bright yellow inserts. They are ok, but its real hard to keep bright yellow clean. If I had it to do over I would get the black, with yellow piping.
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Old Jul 30, 2005 | 11:29 PM
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That is exactly why I re-apholstered my seats with a non perforated material. It looks better too.
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Old Jul 31, 2005 | 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Joslinm
So you guys with the fake stuff would go that route again?
Probably, given the cost difference. The stuff has been on my car for at least 7 years (4 under my watch, 3 under the last owner who did NOT do the work, and who knows how many with the previous) and it's holding up nicely. I use leather cleaner on it, believe it or not, and it works fine.
[RICHR]
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Old Jul 31, 2005 | 07:15 PM
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Leather-like here. Over 3 years and they still look great. Easy to clean, long lasting, cheap. If your car is not a garage queen then I'd opt 'em over real leather.

They don't "breathe" of course, so if you drive with the top off in hot weather then you run increased risk of a damp back
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Old Jul 31, 2005 | 11:27 PM
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I have the leatherlike covers w/ preforations. 5 years so far. I would absolutely buy them again. I bought mine thru Ecklers. They were manufactured and drop shipped thru Corvette America located in Boalsburg Pa.
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Old Aug 1, 2005 | 12:51 AM
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Originally Posted by vader86
Thats why you dont want perforated leather, its crap. Dries out too easy and starts splitting.

The leather-like stuff is just as good to me.
I have the original perforated leather seats in my 86 and they're as mint as the day I drove the car out of the showroom. Keeps your butt cooler too. I've always used Eagle One leather care and cleaner. It makes the leather smell great. Protecting the interior from the sun is important too. You can't get that leather smell without the real thing.
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Old Aug 1, 2005 | 04:34 AM
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[QUOTE=Redeasysport]I like Wet Okle. If I thought I had a collectable car I might spring for new leather but I don't so this is what I have
QUOTE]

do you have any information or links about the Wet Okle seats, i want to replace my cloth seats in my '91 with a sportier look
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Old Aug 1, 2005 | 04:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Redeasysport
I like Wet Okle. If I thought I had a collectable car I might spring for new leather but I don't so this is what I have
do you have a link to where i can check out those Wet Okle seats, i want to replace my cloth seats with something a little more custom looking
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