When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
my LS 400 seats need help - looking for suggestions
Hello, My 1995 LS400 drives like a dream but the leather seat stitching is now splitting open and seat bottoms are splitting too. The seats are beyond refurbishing.
Also, Given the value of the car today, it is not realistic to recover the seats in leather.
Does anyone have suggestions on other options. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Option 1: This is rather expensive but more permanent. Search eBay for "Lexus LS400 (1995-2000) Leather Replacement Seat Covers with Center Console". Buy the set, remove the seats and replace the leather.
Option 2: Search eBay for "Mastaplasta". It is a great material for making patches to apply over the ripped leather. I fixed a seat in one of my cars 3 years ago using it and it still holds.
I thought about replacing my driver's seat, but I figured I would attempt a repair myself. I'm a quick study and if I failed no biggie because I would then replace the leather seat cover. I watched some YouTube videos. I bought some JB weld for seats and a cheap repair kit from Amazon which had a bunch of colors I could mix. I used part from both, but damn if I couldn't get the color right. I ordered the color from Seat doctors and colored the whole seat. Problem was it was the wrong shade of "Ivory". I emailed Seat Doctors and they sent me another "Ivory". Shout out to Seat Doctors for coming through, it was the right one.
I've never done this before or anything like it, but I think it came out great! Its not perfect, but it didn't cost much and I think it's worth a try if your seats aren't totally destroyed. BEFORE BEFORE After, still drying
That looks great! Where did JB Weld come into play? What was your process?
Also, which Amazon kit did you buy? I also got one where I had to mix the colors a while back. Overall, I got the color, but it dried slightly darker than it was before
That looks great! Where did JB Weld come into play? What was your process?
Also, which Amazon kit did you buy? I also got one where I had to mix the colors a while back. Overall, I got the color, but it dried slightly darker than it was before
The kit I got on Amazon was called Coconix complete leather Repair. I used the repair cloth from the Coconix. The rip was huge so I used the entire cloth instead of cutting it, tucking it under. I used the JB weld under the side of the rip as directed. I still had a big gap so I partially filled it with the JB weld adhesive and let it sit over night. I wanted to see how it dried and held. In the picture, you can see the white of the JB weld. I didn't think and had already started before taking a pic. It looked much worse originally as the rip was jagged, L shaped, and not clean. You could really see the foam. Anyway, after seeing how the JB dried (it was pliable and holding), I continued with the JB weld adhesive and filled the entire hole to the top. I let that dry completely and then topped it with the Coconix. I applied about 3 layers, dried and sanded inbetween. Each layer was a different color as I kept unsuccesfully trying to match the color.
A couple of things that may or may not of helped- I didn't rush the project and let the JB weld set for a day before the next step. I also used all of the JB adhesive and filled it to the top smoothing it over the rip and extending past it before starting the next step. Also, I had originally used Angelus filler for the the cracks and creases. Don't do this. It is impossible to sand smoothly (like sanding silicone), and it didn't hold. The wrinkle of the crack came back immediately and then actually cracked again with use. Before I recolored again with Seat Doctors, I used what was left of the Coconix mix from before and fixed the recracked area. Much easier to sand. The seat doctors color needs to cure for 48 hours and I did let them cure for that amount of time. They say you can sit in them before that as long as you're careful. I didn't take a chance. There is no color transfer and when applied with a sponge, there are no streaks. With 2 coats, I had a nice even finish.
As to how the original rip is holding up, it's been almost 2 months since I origanally fixed the rips and put the wrong color.. I weigh 257 pounds and it's holding up incredibly. Granted, I don't throw myself carelessly into the seat (the leather is 28 years old afterall), but I'm amazed and didn't expect it to hold, especially when you consider that part of the rip was on the seem and there was no material available to restitch (nor was that part of the leather strong enough to hold a stitch to begin with). The leather all along the rip was in bad shape, easier to tear than tearing paper. Also, look how huge that gap was even AFTER using the JB weld. I'm very happy with how it turned out. Even more so now that the color matches.
What an amazing difference. 25, 30 years there aren't many good condition interiors left and the drivers seat (and steering wheel) are super common wear points. amazing results!
12-03-22, 04:43 PM
my LS 400 seats need help - looking for suggestions
