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YOUR RESEARCHRestoring the leather seats in my 996 with photo's
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Use acetone
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I removed the wheel and as before used acetone to strip the remaining protective coatings.
Restoring the leather seats in my 996 with photo's
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Leading evidence: 'Use acetone' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'best way' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace colour of the seats' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I do not recommend 80g paper as it will leave deep scratches so 240g used lightly and followed by 600 to finish will give a nice smooth finish ready for the leather filler to be applied to the cracks.
Restoring the leather seats in my 996 with photo's
Use methods
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1
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I used both methods on this seat and both gave the desired result.
Restoring the leather seats in my 996 with photo's
Use seats particularly the drivers seat
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
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0
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Lets start at the beginning, here is my car with the well used seats particularly the drivers seat which is the one which has the most wear in our cars.
Restoring the leather seats in my 996 with photo's
best way
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Suspected cause · Original poster
Yes it would be ideal to do a colour change, in fact going from a light colour to a dark colour is probably the best way to go.
Restoring the leather seats in my 996 with photo's
Use lightly and followed by 600
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
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0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I do not recommend 80g paper as it will leave deep scratches so 240g used lightly and followed by 600 to finish will give a nice smooth finish ready for the leather filler to be applied to the cracks.
Restoring the leather seats in my 996 with photo's
Use seats particularly the drivers seat
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Lets start at the beginning, here is my car with the well used seats particularly the drivers seat which is the one which has the most wear in our cars.
Restoring the leather seats in my 996 with photo's
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15 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
911uk: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261027T154520Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I have just restored the front seats and steering wheel in my 102k mile C2s 3.4 manual 996 and thought the process might be of interest to everyone as it seems onerous but is quite straightforward and the results very pleasing.
Lets start at the beginning, here is my car with the well used seats particularly the drivers seat which is the one which has the most wear in our cars.
I removed both seats which is a very quick job but the seats are not that light! but here it is on a work stand.
You can see how extensive the wear to the bolster id and the cracking around the thigh area and marks on the seat base etc. All have to be attended to.
The first stage is to remove the protective coating from the leather and then the dye from the seat. Acetone does this job with a cotton wool ball soaked in acetone and wrapped in a scotch bright pad. As you can see once this is done there is a lot of bare leather exposed. The grain will now need sanding down. I do not recommend 80g paper as it will leave deep scratches so 240g used lightly and followed by 600 to finish will give a nice smooth finish ready for the leather filler to be applied to the cracks. Apply this in very very thin layers and use a hairdryer to speed drying. It looks awful but after another quick sand to level the fill (which is why you apply the filler in very thin layers) it is ready to apply the first of 3 coats of leather dye. Before doing so the whole area must be wiped with alcohol to remove any traced of oil grease etc or the dye will not penetrate the leather.
There are 2 methods. the first is to get the spray gun out and spray thin layers of dye drying each layer with a hair dryer and the 2nd is to use a sponge and dab away. I used both methods on this seat and both gave the desired result. Before the final coat is applied a quick rub over with 1200g to remove any 'Nibs' or similar and you are ready for the 3rd coat. The seat will now be horrible and shiny which is where the protective layer comes in.
The protective layer as a water based clear lacquer. Without it and liquid spilled on the seat will stain as leather is porous and it is only the lacquer finish that protects the leather. Here the options are gloss, Matt or Satin. Satin is the best for our cars and it will look like the original factory finish.
I did both seats and then the steering wheel on which most of the finish had been worn away. I removed the wheel and as before used acetone to strip the remaining protective coatings. it is not necessary to remove all the original dye. You will see where the dye on the reverse of the wheel has been worn through use. And there is the finished wheel together with all of the materials that were used.
And finally the finished seat back in the car. The steering wheel was yet to be re finished and also I re dyed the handbrake lever. it looks like a new car now.
The cost was about £25 or so and it took me 2 days to do both seats, the wheel and the handbrake (which i did in situ).
I hope this inspires you.
I bought the dye and satin finish from ebay. Look up the scratch doctor. The acetone i bought at a car show but again ebay is your friend and the alcohol from B&Q!!
I have been trying to edit my post as I think £35 was what it should have read, but I have lots of material left. Never underestimate the amount of dye and finish that you need.
Happy to answer any questions, and yes the difference is astounding.
Great write up. Would love to know what brand products you used. Also, would this be an appropriate method to change the colour of the seats? I've got some sports hardback seats in the garage in a grey colour, which I'd love to change to black to match my 996.
In the 9th photo is the dye from scratch doctor bought from ebay. In fact I checked last night and acetone and alcohol are all available there as well, and inexpensive.
Yes it would be ideal to do a colour change, in fact going from a light colour to a dark colour is probably the best way to go.
Yes I did but the wear was slight which made the job easier.
I dont think I have a suitable picture to show you but the process was to use the filler and re create the perforations before it dried. The result was completely invisible.
Are you going to have a go yourself?
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