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Maintaining C5?

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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 09:48 PM
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Default Maintaining C5?

Hello, a few questions about a C5. A little background, it is a Torch Red on Light Oak on Light Oak 2000 Vert. It has 25k miles and is a show quality driver First, there is a tear the size of a pencil eraser in the convertible top. How do you think I should fix it? Second, the chrome wheels have a few small peeling spots, about half an inch along the lip. What do you recommend for that? Lastly, the leather is starting to crack a little. I dont want to buy new seats covers because they arent that bad, but would like to see the cracks gone. What do you think I should use to get rid of the cracks? Thank you!!!
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by pmarvin2016
Hello, a few questions about a C5. A little background, it is a Torch Red on Light Oak on Light Oak 2000 Vert. It has 25k miles and is a show quality driver First, there is a tear the size of a pencil eraser in the convertible top. How do you think I should fix it? Second, the chrome wheels have a few small peeling spots, about half an inch along the lip. What do you recommend for that? Lastly, the leather is starting to crack a little. I dont want to buy new seats covers because they arent that bad, but would like to see the cracks gone. What do you think I should use to get rid of the cracks? Thank you!!!
I don't have a convertible, but I would suggest a good convertible top shop to get it repaired. are you sure you have chrome wheels or are they the aluminum thin spokes? If they are chrome, all you can do is have them re-chromed or buy new wheels. If they are the aluminum wheels you can strip the clear coat and polish them then have them re-coated. Finally you cannot correct the cracks in the leather seats, but clean the seats with a good leather cleaner and then condition them with again a good quality leather conditioner.

PS fill out your profile comletely so we know what you have and were you are from and so on.

Last edited by BWF07; Jan 14, 2012 at 10:03 PM. Reason: Add info
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 10:04 PM
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It is possible a good upholsterer could hand sew a repair into the top that will make it look a bit better and keep it from getting larger. A picture would help.
There is no cure I know of for fixing peeling chrome other than rechroming, which can make some metals brittle. Care is needed.
If the leather is cracking you need to use something like Lexol to soften the leather. That will not get rid of any cracks but will soften the leather and make it more flexible, so it will last longer. If you want the cracks to disappear take the car to a leather restorer, someone who works on antique leather furniture restoration.

Last edited by Kmcoldcars; Jan 15, 2012 at 11:20 AM.
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Old Jan 15, 2012 | 09:09 AM
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For the peeling chrome on the wheels, not much you can do other than get another chrome wheel or have that one rechromed. For your seats, start using a really good leather conditioner on them. May not take all the cracks away, but it will moisturize them to where the cracks don't get worse.
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