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[t56impala]

Hello all. I'm new here. I don't produce upholstery or repair it. I'm an automotive enthusiast / shade tree mechanic. I only do work on my own cars. I've done complete interior swaps, restorations using direct fit parts and oem swap out swap in parts. I apologize if I am stepping in here asking stupid questions from a group of professionals but I really have nowhere else to turn at this point. So here it goes.

I have a 2016 QX80 (Nissan Patrol) with the wheat colour interior. I also have a 180lb Newfoundland Landseer that loves to go everywhere with me! Unfortunately I didn't protect the seating surfaces of the second row bucket seats. As you can imagine, his nails have done a number on the leather. Nissan USA wanted $1297 EACH for replacement leather, not including installation. So I had to find another route.

Last week I purchased both second row bucket seats, correct colour, from a wrecked 2017 QX80. Unfortunately they will not be a direct bolt in as both were pretty well bent up in whatever accident they were in. I purchased both for well under $300usd. The leather, though a bit dirty, is in really good condition. Since I had these two seats on a bench I learned how to remove the lower seating surface. This first attempt took me a while as I attempted to completely disassemble the seat. I did manage to recover the lower pad and cover intact but found that there is a much easier way to take it off! I found that I only needed to remove one piece of trim and the rest "unsnapped". Guess its good to have something to experiment on first!

My question for you all is as follows:

During the accident, storage or shipping, some minor impressions have been put into the leather. I can not feel these impressions in the foam. It looks as if the leather got slightly stretched though I see no tearing of the grain on the back side of the cover. Is it possible to heat, or wet these areas to have them regain their shape a bit? Remember, this is a simple "bolt in" replacement. Nothing as involved as many things I've seen posted here.

If anyone needs the leather from the seat backs, which is in perfect condition, the head rests, trim pieces or seat internals, feel free to let me know! I'll be happy to send them your way. I don't need them and I don't have room for them to lay around my garage for any length of time. Id sure hate to just waste them and toss them in the trash. Same goes for the scratched up original seating from my truck. I hate to just waste it when someone out there might need it. Yes, they are heated.

[Revv Up]

Steam is the tool of choice for problems like this, be careful to not over do it.... there should be some decent YouTube videos. I wouldn’t try heat as it can do damage to the leather.

[t56impala]

Thank You. I will study a few videos and see if I can give it a try.

[BigRig]

@t56impala ,

Get that leather too wet and your hooped.

[John]

Welcome to the forum!!! @t56impala

Yeah I would try steam first but be very careful. Steaming new leather works well but on old leather it can cause it to shrink a ton. So just start slow and see what happens. Also a heat gun is ok to use on leather just make sure to have a wet rag on hand. Wipe the area with a wet rag then heat the area up and repeat. Just dont get the leather too hot. If it hurts to touch the leather its too hot.

Hope this helps!