Can I fix My Wrinkled Leather Seat?

[waderw24]

I have a 2012 Chevy Tahoe and right when I first got it, I sat in my seat with my wallet in my pocket and it made an indention in the seat, almost as if I stretched the leather seat. Is it possible to fix this?

My wallet is one of the Slim Clips so it s hard metal and now has a wrinkle in the seat which drives me crazy every time I get in the car.

Wallet
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/slimclip.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/53413)

Wrinkled Seat
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_09461.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_09482.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_09474.JPG

Thanks in advance!

[Mike Phillips]

You ask a great question...


Can car upholstery leather be safely shrunk?



Maybe one of our in-house leather experts has some experience?




:dunno:

[Dr_Pain]

Subscribing to hear the experts :xyxthumbs:

[chubs]

:iagree:I'm subcribing to this thread as well. This would be an interesting fix!

[Rockeey]

Watch this:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX2BAr5CHwo]West Coast Customs - Removing Upholstery Wrinkles with Ish - YouTube[/video]

I've heard of people using blow dryers, irons (over a thin towel) and steamers, too.

Not sure I'd be willing to try the steamer thing but can't see the harm in trying what is shown on the video....and even the hair dryer method seems relatively harmless if you keep it moving and don't overheat the leather.

....or....

You could call or visit an automotive upholstery shop and they may be able to detach the leather cover from the underside of the seat and stretch it back flat.

Good luck !!

[psynx]

here at work(i work at a high end furniture store) our leather guy uses a steamer as well, but he said i can use a blow dryer but not to leave it in one spot too long cause then it'll darken the leather and burn it.

[Mike McDonald]

Fascinating video. I've wondered about this since I picked up my car In July. My drivers seat leather is stretched where you sit.

I'm glad someone asked this!

[MadMerc]

My Son gave me one of those Aluma Wallets to for for Father's Day, and It did the same thing to the seat in my Fusion. It left a dimple about the size of a half-dollar.
I ended up turning on the seat heater on full and treated the seat with Griot's Leather Care Spray. Mind you this was in the middle of Summer on a 100 degree day, so the cabin was good and hot. After a while, the area did go back to the correct shape.
Now I never have my wallet in my back pocket when I sit in my car.:nomore:
Should be interesting to see what other say on this subject.

[Mike McDonald]

Well, I decided to head outside and just do it now.

My car is 8 years old, and has Sojourn black leather. Lots of wear on these seats. I was planning on restoring the drivers seat come spring time, and I'm glad I spotted this. If the towel trick works for my old leather, it'll probably work for yours. Also, ignore the cracks, and dirtiness of the seat. Like I said, I plan on spending a lot of quality time on this leather come spring time.

Before:

http://imageshack.us/a/img145/1527/img0243tg.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img443/754/img0245m.jpg

After:

http://imageshack.us/a/img823/524/img0246yfs.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img404/9366/img0247qk.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img685/2995/img0249gnu.jpg

I certainly hope this photographic proof helps! It took me about 15 minutes in total.

[Rockeey]

^^^^^^

Looks like it worked pretty well !!! You can definitely see a difference.

Based on the results you got, I speculate that repeating the process, if needed, would make the leather even a little tighter.

Pretty cool.

[Mike McDonald]

^^^^^^

Looks like it worked pretty well !!! You can definitely see a difference.

Based on the results you got, I speculate that repeating the process, if needed, would make the leather even a little tighter.

Pretty cool.

Yes, I think a couple more goes would do the trick. I mostly did this so the OP could see it worked for someone on here, further implying it works.

[Johny B]

Interesting video.

[waderw24]

Wow! That looks like a really good fix, especially for 15mins. Thanks for the info folks.

Mike McDonald - keep us posted on your seat cleaning and crack repair. I'm starting to see a few small cracks here and there and want to keep an eye on those as well.

[waderw24]

Wallah! The towel trick worked like a charm! I might need one more pass to get it 100% flat but it already looks 10x better than before.

After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_09511.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_09521.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_09531.JPG

Thanks again for posting that tip! :)

[CM8 6MT]

Man I love AGO, learn something new everyday :)