Solutions for side bolster wear on leather seats?

[keejoonc]

Hi guys,

I picked up a 2013 C63 with black leather seats a couple of days ago and want to sort out the wear on the side bolster as well as some creasing on the edge of the base as well.

Does anyone have any exprience fixing this? I looked into Gliptone liquid leather solution but not sure how good it will be? I can't stand side bolsters that look worn out so want to get this sorted ASAP.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Chrishazle]

Trimline Systems seem to be a nationwide franchise, the man for my area does all interior work for Tonbridge Coachworks and Porsche Tonbridge, which was a pretty good recommendation! If you have one in your area, it's worth an ask.

After having my leather seats refurbed, I use Gliptone, it's pretty good.

 

[keejoonc]

Trimline Systems seem to be a nationwide franchise, the man for my area does all interior work for Tonbridge Coachworks and Porsche Tonbridge, which was a pretty good recommendation! If you have one in your area, it's worth an ask.

After having my leather seats refurbed, I use Gliptone, it's pretty good.

Thanks mate. How much did it cost you to refurbish the seats if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Chrishazle]

It was £220CIH best part of 4 years ago. I removed the seats from the car and set them up on a temporary work bench in my garage, Keith came to the house and spent the best part of a day scrubbing, cleaning, spraying etc! I then re-fitted them the next day (this was just the 2 front seats of the 968 cab).

Prior to his arrival he asked me to Gliptone the seats every 2-3 days (for a fortnight!).

 

[whitenemesis]

Is it leather or Artico?

Once leather is creased that pretty much it. Sometimes it can be lessened by gently steaming.

All MB leatherrs are now PU coated so the wear is to the coating. This can be resprayed quite easily.

 

[keejoonc]

Is it leather or Artico?

Once leather is creased that pretty much it. Sometimes it can be lessened by gently steaming.

All MB leatherrs are now PU coated so the wear is to the coating. This can be resprayed quite easily.

I think it's leather? I didn't know C63's came with artico but I could be wrong.

 

[James]

It won't be artico on a C63 - more likely to be nappa leather. It's nice stuff with a smoother finish, but not as hard wearing as the normal Mercedes leather.

 

[Porteo]

As the cars still in warranty, what's your local dealer said about it? Worth a try as they might sort it out for you.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Leather shouldn't be visibly worn after just two years. That's really poor - have you got a photo?

 

[Blue Moon]

I do a bit, theres a 1990 Jag XKR here that I did last week https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1023492404336321.1073741856.319865651365670&type=3

Unfortunately (or not ) I only work on our wee Island. If it's just one panel, it'd probably cost more to get here than the repair

 

[keejoonc]

Leather shouldn't be visibly worn after just two years. That's really poor - have you got a photo?

I will take some pics and upload it later.
I might take it into the dealer this weekend for them to have a look.

 

[Abb]

Wear on the bolster of a car thats still under manufacturers warranty, obviously that car has been very well cared for!
Would definitely be taking it to the stealers and hope they don't put it down to lack of care by the previous owner, as Charles quite rightly says, something so new shouldn't be showing signs of wear to that extent.

 

[b1g1an]

Leather shouldn't be visibly worn after just two years. That's really poor - have you got a photo?

A lot depends on size of driver, seating position, clothes they wear, how they get in and out, etc etc.

The OP didn't say how worn the seat was just that there was some, this can happen in no time without any lack of care, short drivers with rough clothes will easily cause wear to the side bolster getting in and out, nothing to do with lack of care and equally creasing on the edge of the seat base is quite normal due to people sitting on the edge getting in and out. In fact a lot of 'brand new' cars in showrooms show creasing.

 

[Mrhanky]

I would expect to pay the £75 mark for a basic colour repaint. Which sounds like all you need.

If it requires a new bit of trim, I think it would be around £100 as you would not require the repaint.

If you search for auto retrimers you will be able to get a few quotes. I would see some of there work first as not everyone's skills are identical. Price is no indication of how skilled the worker is.

 

[keejoonc]

Sorry, forgot to take a pic but I did take it into the stealers yesterday.
They took some pics and will send to Mercedes for them to assess and decide whether they will come to the party. I'm not really counting on them to come back with a good news though. If this fails, I may try Gliptone liquid leather. In addition to wear on the leather, the stitching on the side bolster is fraying a bit as well, probably from all the rubbing.

I think the previous owner just wasn't careful enough when getting in and out of the car. I now move the seats back before getting out so my butt isn't touching the side bolster when getting in and out of the car.

I will provide an update when I hear back from the stealers.

 

[Alex225]

I've always considered an element of wear on the bolsters fairly normal on a car.

But obviously it has to be proportionate to the age or mileage of the vehicle. You may find that you can use a leather care of some kind to moisturise the leather and getting it looking newer. The fraying of the stitching is a bit different though as you wouldn't expect that to occur, let alone on a 2 year old car.

Hopefully the dealership will agree if the wear on the seats is excessive. Good luck.

 

[keejoonc]

Here is a pic I took with my phone. Unfortunately it was dark so not the best pic.

 

[Alex225]

Looks like the previous owner may have has a fat ar$e or short legs! Maybe both.

Looks as though the leather has almost been grazed. I mean you expect leather to soften maybe show a few crease marks where the side bolsters get pushed about but that's not what I'd expect.

Try the dealers and fingers crossed they don't just point to wear and tear. How many miles has the car done?

 

[Blue Moon]

Here is a pic I took with my phone. Unfortunately it was dark so not the best pic.

Single panel damage, stripped, colour matched & refinished, £79.16 plus VAT

 

[keejoonc]

Looks like the previous owner may have has a fat ar$e or short legs! Maybe both.

Looks as though the leather has almost been grazed. I mean you expect leather to soften maybe show a few crease marks where the side bolsters get pushed about but that's not what I'd expect.

Try the dealers and fingers crossed they don't just point to wear and tear. How many miles has the car done?

The previous owner is actually quite slim. I guess just wasn't careful enough with the bolsters.

The car has done fairly high mileage (around 33,500 now) for its age.