Seat ReCover
 

Got sticker shocked.....inquired about how much it would be to recover 2 fronts and centers..4K.

Not a fan of the dye, but may re-explore it. AFAIK, they need to sand it in order to get the dye to *bite* into the leather. This creates a textural difference between a *grainy textured* seat which is OEM versus a smooth seat

If I recall correctly, the correct resurfacing for an e53 is polyurethane coating, not a dye as such.

The prepare for this surfacing, the normal process would be to lightly scuff with a scotch pad (at most), then clean thoroughly. There is no need to sand the leather when using a quality polyurethane system.

Obviously different systems have different requirements.

Where did u get your estimate from?

Why not look for clean used set on EBAY or CL? I purchased front sports seats (driver and passenger) in like new condition for $750.

I looked on Ebay - did not see much....

Dakota leather has a pretty tough coating jsoto, how bad are your factory seats?


And I agree with ants oz, if anything the seat can be scuffed and a new polyurethane coating applied.

Ldiggs910 I remember about 2 years ago got his seats recovered in a really nice leatherette with some gray piping, at a place in Harlem, said it cost him about $1500 I think? Gotta find some of those good upholstery shops around NYC

I'm hesitant on dye for the following

texture
as well - OEM seats are sand with brown stitching.
I'd hate to lose the contrast color in stiching when re-dying...

Went to a shop I've used eons ago...

Replace front passenger bolster Cover
Replace Full Front Drivers Side Bottom Covers
Replace Center Console Cover
Redye-Blend in the entire front to match similar color of rear
Redye-Blend in Front Door Side Leather

No tears in Any. Just seat worn / arm rest worn on center console.

I will lose the Brown Stiching Over Beige (OEM).
It will all be beige

Leatherette(aka, Vinyl Option )- Grain was a perfect Match for OEM. It might even *wear better* than leather.


$1100 for Vinyl Job
$1300 for Leather Job

I'm sure he will add some filler to both front and passenger outer sidebolsters just to bring them back to *new spec*. Not sure if what I gain/cost is worth 1K+.....

Leatherette wears a ton better than Leather, I can tell you that. My wifes bolsters on her leather Toyota seats are shot with cracks at 3 yrs old and 48k miles. I wish her seats were leatherette, I've seen leatherette seats with 150k miles that look brand new.

Shoot up a pic of the seats and let us give you opinions on it, the price doesnt seem bad, but is he recovering all the seats in leatherette/leather?

Not full recover.
Just passenger outer bolster, center console and full bottom drivers side are new made cover..
4K minimum for new new covers.

You can buy new *non OEM * covers for like 2K and then recover them yourself. And or have the shop do it....as they add filler, etc to make the fitment perfect on the car.
While this works, I would never go this route,. I'd rather spend the extra and have the shop make them, as I know the fitment is more *custom and better* IMO.

The seat dye is just worn. No gashes or anything. Bottom of the bolster has some wearing- thin, but I suspect this is more due to outer bolster, heat units in that.
It's more OCD than anything....I suppose.
Losing the brown stiching may drive me nuts.
But cleaning the car and seeing worn dye is also driving me nuts.