Marks on leather seats

[DiscoFan]

Hi all, the leather in my driver's seat has developed marks (I think from my belt) across the lower part of the back rest and nothing at all seems to be able to remove them.

Very disappointing with only 10,000km on the clock, considering how pedantic I've been with keeping it clean.

Even a couple of detailers I've taken it to have been unsuccessful.

Any suggestions on a remedy? So far I see my options as:

1. Ignore them (hard for me to do)
2. Have the seat repaired (one detailer suggested they had a specialist leather repairer who could re dye the leather)
3. Have it re upholstered
4. Get some seat covers (out of sight, out of mind). Any suggestions on good fitting ones for the D4?

Pics attached. 9007290073

[BMKal]

I have sheepskin covers from Prestige Sheepskin in Perth. They are an excellent fit and suit the vehicle well. They are also shaped to the backrest so that you can still use the "pouches" in the back of the seats, and do not cover them up like some brands I've seen.

We have these in both Disco's (my old D2 which my son now has, and the D4). Have tried alternatives over the years, but these are the best I have come across.

Prestige Sheepskin | Sheepskin Seat Covers | Uggs | Ugg Boots | Sheepskin Boots | Slippers | Custom Seat Covers (http://www.prestige-sheepskin.com.au/)

[LGM]

I have experienced a similar issue where my belt has rubbed the leather piping paint in the centre section of the seat. It is only very minor but rather than let it get worse I went to the same place as BMKal and have had a set of front seat sheepskin covers fitted.

A little bit of 'Out of sight out of mind'!

[DiscoFan]

Any pics of the sheepskin covers?

[ScottD4]

I have had this happen to me before.

I used the degreaser in a can that I buy from Super Cheap. Got it off no problem. Make sure you rub something back onto the leather pretty much straight away to replenish it, as the degreaser can dry it out if not treated afterwards.

Worked for me anyway. I had the entire seat covered from a pair of new jeans once before.

[PhilipA]

As leather is painted it can be repaired by repainting.
There are blokes that travel around car body shops and car dealers who specialize in touching up leather seats .
Failing DIY, maybe contact a couple of dealers who should give you a contact.
I know this as I had a BMW E36 M3 with leather everything and it had some marks. I never got it done but the local upholstery bloke gave me a contact.
Regards Philip A

[LGM]

A couple of pics as requested.:)

[Moon]

Look up a product called "Leatherique". It's a leather dye that I used on a couple of Rolls-Royces I used to own. It's expensive and needs to be matched to your seat colour using a sample but can be kept for later too.

[DiscoFan]

Thanks guys, I'll make some enquiries on the repairing/repainting.

Thanks also for the pics of the sheepskin covers. They look great!

[Boggs]

I wanted sheepskin but the War office is allergic to furry animals.. including me...
Ended up getting a set of Melville and Moon covers from Sith Ifrica.. brilliant.. includes covers for arm rests and console top. Yes covers the pockets on seat back but has own pockets with zips. War Office is a bit of a sewing guru and was most impressed with the quality. The canvas is reasonably soft. Fitting took a while but fit is nice and tight. the only problem is that I have this strong urge to drive around the CBD wearing a Pith helmet and Bombay bloomers..

[LGM]

Boggs,

I'd like to see that with my Camera at the ready!;)

[rar110]

I use baby wipes to keep the seats clean. They're meant to clean with out the harshness of alcohol or solvents.

I've found them to be a really effective & cheap solution.

[DiscoFan]

Ended up getting a set of Melville and Moon covers from Sith Ifrica.. brilliant.. includes covers for arm rests and console top. Yes covers the pockets on seat back but has own pockets with zips. War Office is a bit of a sewing guru and was most impressed with the quality. The canvas is reasonably soft. Fitting took a while but fit is nice and tight. the only problem is that I have this strong urge to drive around the CBD wearing a Pith helmet and Bombay bloomers..

These look great too. Do you have any pics of them on your vehicle. All of the overseas Disco 4 covers seem to have photos of the seats with the grab handles either side of the headrest (which isn't on our ones).

Did you purchase directly from the Melville and Moon website or find a local distributer?

I also like the look of the Exmoor Trim canvas covers. http://exmoortrim.co.uk/images/stories/virtuemart/product/ext019-31_main_web_logo9.jpg. Anyone had any experience with these? Again, they show the grab handles on the side of the head rests for the D4.

Thanks.

[Boggs]

I bought them off their website. There is no distributor in OZ that I am aware of. Sith Ifricin D4s do not have the grab handles either. There is certainly no provision in the head rest covers for grab handles.
Cost inc. postage was similar and they had them on my doorstep in less than 2 weeks.. which was considerably quicker than the Oz distributor of Exmoor promised. Cost was about the same.. though I'm not sure the Exmoor product is as good. bonus was they came in a very nice canvas duffle, which sadly the War Office has commandeered..
Can't supply pics. at the moment as I'm overseas, but will try and remember when I'm home.
OH.. a word of warning... their website is full of very nice colonial safari reproduction furniture and luggage.. again War Office was bordering on doing some serious retail therapy! Actually the cost is very reasonable, its the shipping that is the killer. They will only entertain postage by DHL, which is quick, reliable,,.. but expensive. All up about AUD$850 to the door. (this is for front seats and 3 x second row)

[Moon]

Boggs - why do you call (presumably) your wife "War Office"?

[RobA]

I use and recommend Meguirs to look after our cars inside and out. They have an excellent leather maintainer as well as a cleaner. Not the cheapest but certainly the best. We have done 8000km since Christmas eve and gave the D4 a clean and polish the long weekend and I was quite impressed with the leather conditioner applied to the steering wheel, dishpans, doors and seats and it cleaned it all up quite nicely. No shiny or white residue and looks great

Rob

[BMKal]

I used to use Meguiars too ............................... until I found Autoglym. ;)

[LandyAndy]

Boggs - why do you call (presumably) your wife "War Office"?

Ive heard "The War Office" refered to ones wife for MANY MANYyears;);););).
Eion Cameron on WA ABC breakfast wireless is your man;);););)
Andrew

[D90]

I just got some leather dye from the uk on eBay. Matched to my alpaca beige. Did a quick test this arvo and it seems to work nicely. This is the link. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=331106408769&alt=web

[rar110]

I just got some leather dye from the uk on eBay. Matched to my alpaca beige. Did a quick test this arvo and it seems to work nicely. This is the link. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=331106408769&alt=web

I'd be interested how this goes.

[Rok_Dr]

I've got a set of Exmoor Trim seat covers on the discovery and a also a pair of Melville and Moon covers on the 3rd row seats.

The Exmoor Trim covers while a good product are not to the same quality as the Melville and Moon. Canvas isn't as soft and they are not as neatly made.

With respect to leather dyes and repainting, I have bought a number of touch up pots from these guys for the Discovery and Jaguar. Colour match is perfect and delivery is about 7 -10 days by post.

The Repair Wizard items - Get great deals on 100ml, Balm items on eBay Stores! (http://stores.ebay.com.au/therepairwizard/)

Cheers

Steve

[DiscoFan]

Thanks for all of the advice. I ended up ordering a set of the Melville and Moon canvas covers from South Africa.

$600 delivered to Melbourne. DHL postage was a killer (over $150). Confident they'll be worth it though.

[Muskie]

You Should have called me !

:0)

[DiscoFan]

So the Melvill and Moon covers arrived and I'm stoked with the quality and fit. They look great in the Disco and fit really well.

A few wrinkles after being packed and delivered all the way from South Africa, but they'll fall out quickly.

After sales communication was also excellent.

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[DiscoFan]

Couple more detail shots.

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[HUE166]

I have officially given up on Melvill and Moon. I have sent them a number of emails, phoned them numerous times and still can't even get them to return an email.

While Nicole is lovely and very apologetic over the phone, she has failed to send me a set of seat covers for the ute.

I have since found another reseller of the M&M seat covers. Has anyone had anything to do with Nene Overland in the UK? I'll give them a try next I think. It's bound to be more expensive than dealing direct with M&M but I just want the seat covers.

Melvill & Moon Seat Covers for Defender 2007 on (http://www.neneoverland.co.uk/shop/brand/melvill-and-moon/mm-seat-covers/melvillmoon-defender-seat-covers-2007-on)

[Jcg1]

Very easy to clean this don't use any chemicals. Get your self some magic sponge from either supermarket or Bunnings and just use some water, it will come out no problem

[disconerd]

Works brilliantly! I used these Magic Sponges on the seats and also the dash where there was in ground dirt that no chemical would get off. Came up like new!

Cheers

[DiscoFan]

If anyone is after a set of the Melvill and Moon seat covers for their Disco 4, mine are now for sale in the internal accessories section.

[Nicky]

If anyone is after a set of the Melvill and Moon seat covers for their Disco 4, mine are now for sale in the internal accessories section.
Why are you selling them?

[DiscoFan]

Why are you selling them?

My wife is now the main driver of the Disco and she prefers the feel of leather under her bum :D