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Leather Repair

Flying_Lavey

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Anybody have any suggestions on car seat leather repair methods? Short of taking it to an upholstery shop and spending several hundred to have it repaired, I can't find another option that is readily available for less than $500 online. Very few make fitted seat covers for a G35 Coupe and with the rather large bolsters, I don't want to put a shitty fitting off-the-shelf universal fit one on it.
 

monkeyswrench

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You may try a dismantler or ebay for a good used one. Done it with other cars, but don't know how common a G35 is for that.
 

mjc

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try Katzkin. they are supposed to be good leather seat covers
 

Flying_Lavey

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try Katzkin. they are supposed to be good leather seat covers
I think I found something like $1,100 for them. I am waiting on a specific quote from them though.
 

Flying_Lavey

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You may try a dismantler or ebay for a good used one. Done it with other cars, but don't know how common a G35 is for that.
Apparently this is pretty common for these cars So finding a good take-out is almost impossible and when you do find one, Its ungodly pricing.


Basically I am trying to fix up the driver's seat as much as possible on a tight budget so I can list it for sale. We need to get another 3-row SUV for the family.
 

monkeyswrench

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Is it split at the seam of the bolster, or worn through/thin at the top edges? If at the seam, and a panel doesn't need replacing, it wouldn't be too hard to stitch it back yourself. Labor to pull the seat, and remove the cover, but the actual repair wouldn't be bad.
 

Flying_Lavey

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Is it split at the seam of the bolster, or worn through/thin at the top edges? If at the seam, and a panel doesn't need replacing, it wouldn't be too hard to stitch it back yourself. Labor to pull the seat, and remove the cover, but the actual repair wouldn't be bad.
Combination. of the 2 I dont think either area is really able to be stitched back together though. Torn pretty bad. Ill grab some pictures this evening.
 

traquer

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Go to your BMW or Mercedes dealer and ask who they use for leather repair on CPOs. I did that when I wanted a wheel refinished, and their whole backlot and neighbors were these mexican contractors with smaller shops that did all the various repair stuff. There was a leather repair guy there doing good work. This was in San Antonio
 

Flying_Lavey

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Go to your BMW or Mercedes dealer and ask who they use for leather repair on CPOs. I did that when I wanted a wheel refinished, and their whole backlot and neighbors were these mexican contractors with smaller shops that did all the various repair stuff. There was a leather repair guy there doing good work. This was in San Antonio
Ill give that a shot. Thanks for the tip.
 

monkeyswrench

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Go to your BMW or Mercedes dealer and ask who they use for leather repair on CPOs. I did that when I wanted a wheel refinished, and their whole backlot and neighbors were these mexican contractors with smaller shops that did all the various repair stuff. There was a leather repair guy there doing good work. This was in San Antonio
Really good idea! I forget that bigger cities have that type of thing. Like the paintless dent guy at the dealer I worked at...scary good! Most dealers have a short list of guys that do certain things.
 

Cole Trickle

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if its a small tear or puncture leather repair shouldn't be that much. If we are talking a trashed and torn seat over an inch i think you will need to have it re done.

katzkin are nice but spendy. might be some decent cheaper alternatives. check ebay
 

Flying_Lavey

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if its a small tear or puncture leather repair shouldn't be that much. If we are talking a trashed and torn seat over an inch i think you will need to have it re done.

katzkin are nice but spendy. might be some decent cheaper alternatives. check ebay
I've looked what I think is everywhere online. I can't find anything that is made for the car that isn't $500+.


I got a quote from Katzkin and they are $1500 for just the front seats. I don't see an option to install yourself either.
 

endobear

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Had a mobile guy do my wife's Acadia Denali. He did this spot and a small seam that was coming apart on center armrest.
$180.
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Took him an hr. I was impressed.
 

Flying_Lavey

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Had a mobile guy do my wife's Acadia Denali. He did this spot and a small seam that was coming apart on center armrest.
$180. View attachment 1340366 View attachment 1340367
Took him an hr. I was impressed.
Shit, that is impressive. BTW, that car is exactly what we are trying to get by selling the G35. An Acadia or Traverse (wife is set on the Traverse for some reason).
 

86403

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Okay. Sorry, my guy is in Vista.
 

endobear

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Shit, that is impressive. BTW, that car is exactly what we are trying to get by selling the G35. An Acadia or Traverse (wife is set on the Traverse for some reason).
We bought ours new In 2011.
Been a great car for us. Timing chain and tranny issues pre 2017. Although we haven't had either.
Lots of room, comfy, Plenty of power and great in snow.
Wife got 2017 lexus nx200t fsport to replace it. Mostly for the better fuel mileage.
Hates the lexus. Wants a new acadia.
 

Fun Times

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If you were in the IE or San Diego area, then Vinyl & Leather Repair would be easy to find as Scott from #1 Vinyl & Leather repair covers these areas and does a phenomenal job on boat & car vinyl repairs.



 

Flying_Lavey

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We bought ours new In 2011.
Been a great car for us. Timing chain and tranny issues pre 2017. Although we haven't had either.
Lots of room, comfy, Plenty of power and great in snow.
Wife got 2017 lexus nx200t fsport to replace it. Mostly for the better fuel mileage.
Hates the lexus. Wants a new acadia.
That's great to hear. I'm trying to convince my wife that the Acadia and Traverse are exactly the same pre-'17 and have exactly the same issues. For some reason she thinks the drive train issues are exclusive to the Acadias.
 

Flying_Lavey

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If you were in the IE or San Diego area, then Vinyl & Leather Repair would be easy to find as Scott from #1 Vinyl & Leather repair covers these areas and does a phenomenal job on boat & car vinyl repairs.



Shit, for the right price, I'll make the drive. Lol!
 

Flying_Lavey

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This MAY be beyond repair and might need an upholstery guy I'm thinking......
 

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Ace in the Hole

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Go to your BMW or Mercedes dealer and ask who they use for leather repair on CPOs. I did that when I wanted a wheel refinished, and their whole backlot and neighbors were these mexican contractors with smaller shops that did all the various repair stuff. There was a leather repair guy there doing good work. This was in San Antonio
Principle BMW in SA. Yea...we bought one of the recipients of those repairs. Fuck those guys. Epoxy on the seat hardware to "fix" a crack and paste repair that split in a month on the seat. I have ZERO nice things to say about that dealer....and that's just scratching the surface.
 
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