Styling Aftermarket leather (to my greek and not only fellows)
- Thread starter Chrisilda
- Start date
Currently reading:
Styling Aftermarket leather (to my greek and not only fellows)
Good plan. Judging by other posts on this forum, the quality of FIAT upholstery, whether fabric or leather, is not great and I doubt if either option would stay looking good for the life of the car. Starting out with the 'no-cost' option & replacing it when it starts to look tatty seems a sensible way to go.
OP
OP
Ahmett you have a red leather interior
.. my beetle had a black one and i assure you that it was a big trouble to keep it clean! Special cleaning lotions, cloths and effort... I used to clean it once a month during cold months and twice a month during warm months. It may sounds a lot but i'm a perfectionist. After a while i will probably go for the after market solution and it will be exactly how i want it. Ahmett i have heard about autostar at Gerakas which uses Connolly leather, do you know anything about this store?
OP
OP
This is the reason why i'm asking. The possibility of an interior damage concerns me a lot...Hi everyone,
I am just about to order a 1.3 MJet 500.
Concerning the seats and leather options, I like the twinair plus seats more than the checkered ones in the Lounge edition, however the diesel car no more gets this 'sport' version. I just cannot understand why FIAT did this.
To cut a long story short, after thorough search, I tend to conclude that the frau leather seats, are the same shape as the twinair plus ones, but they are full leather. I only wish I could get the twinair plus interior on a diesel 500. I think it looks great. So, Chrisilda, aftermarket leather will not provide the same lateral support as the FIAT leather seats, but as you said not a great choice of colors. Nonetheless, my main concern would be for no damage to interior from the guys fitting the aftermarket leather...
ahmett
Prominent member
Ahmett you have a red leather interior
My leather is perfect after 30,000 km! I dont smoke in the car, drink anything other than water or let dirty people in my car so it looks really nice! My uncle had a 520i from 1998-2010 with leather seats and it still looked good after 12 years! No i do not know that place, but I know of a recaro car seat guy on the main road of nea erithrea who seems to do a good job. I was eating next to the store and was watching one day them fit in leather seats to a fiat 500! The customer looked happy and i guess they have experience with these cars so they know how to fit in seats without breaking everything.
And cleaning? Well of course when i wash the car i do it inside and outside for 9 euros at the petrol station and they wipe the leather which is so easy to do. With cloth you have stains that basically to clean you need proper shampooing! Its like an office, carpets or parque flooring?
I know which one i prefer!
Last edited:
OP
OP
I don't doubt that, beetle's leather seats after 4 + years are in perfect condition... As i said i'm a perfectionist and i didn't let the guys at the gas station to clean the leather seats. My main issue wasn't dirt but that they were continuously loosing their moisture and shine especially during the summer.
My main issue wasn't dirt but that they were continuously loosing their moisture and shine especially during the summer.
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2010
- Messages
- 3,696
- Points
- 796
And this is why your car is scratched!
OP
OP
Robin
! I used to wash my beetle at the gas station but i didn't have any "scratchy problems"... It is important to mention that i always ask for a wash by hand.
OP
OP
Leather doesn't need just wiping! But proper handling and care. Robin please give me your support
Robin please give me your support
OP
OP
Leather doesn't need just wiping! But proper handling and care.
Properly cleaned and moisturized leather seats! Not just wiped
Last edited:
Robin
You might not have big scratches. But in light you will see loads of small ones from the handwashing at a petrol station.
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2010
- Messages
- 3,696
- Points
- 796
Well a "hand" car wash is better than one of the machines you drive through, but over time even a hand car wash can leave swirls. The problem is that they use sponges, which are not good at lifting any grit away from the paint, and which can therefore cause small scratches. These are often not visible immediately but thay can build up over time. A woollen or bobbly mitt is much better at lifting dirt away and hiding it in the pile so it won't strach your car.
The problem is made worse by them usually rinsing their sponges out in the same bucket of (dirty) water that they then use to wash your car with - so there are often bits of dirt in the "clean" sponge before it even gets onto your car's paintwork.
They also often use "blades" to clean off excess water before drying. These are highly dangerous as any dirt caught in the rubber of the blade will scratch a car badly.
Finally, their drying cloths may also not be clean and dirt free.
If you go to the "Car Care" section on here there is a very good sticky on how to clean your car. See if your hand wash place meets those standards. I suspect it won't!
The problem is made worse by them usually rinsing their sponges out in the same bucket of (dirty) water that they then use to wash your car with - so there are often bits of dirt in the "clean" sponge before it even gets onto your car's paintwork.
They also often use "blades" to clean off excess water before drying. These are highly dangerous as any dirt caught in the rubber of the blade will scratch a car badly.
Finally, their drying cloths may also not be clean and dirt free.
If you go to the "Car Care" section on here there is a very good sticky on how to clean your car. See if your hand wash place meets those standards. I suspect it won't!
OP
OP
I have sold the car but i assure you that there weren't any scratches at all! To be more specific, i wash my car only at this gas station otherwise i do that on my own.
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2010
- Messages
- 3,696
- Points
- 796
Leather doesn't need just wiping! But proper handling and care.
Absolutely. In English we say leather needs "feeding". Especially in a hot country - or it will dry out and may crack.
OP
OP
They use my cloths and sponges! I'm a very demanding customer! And there is a restriction for this blade thing!
And there is a restriction for this blade thing!
I can assure you that there were scratches! Even on a car which is washed with a lambswool mit and good shampoo there will always be scratches, you can't not scratch your car when you wash it.
OP
OP
Thanks for let me know! I didn't know that we call that feeding. ^_^ At least you understood of what i'm talking about!
OP
OP
I didn't say that it was like brand new but nothing noticeable or serious. I can tell the difference, my mom's car is full of tiny minor scratches because of washing.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2010
- Messages
- 3,696
- Points
- 796
Buy them one of these:
http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/meguiars/lambswool-wash-mitt.aspx
and make sure they rinse it in a differnt bucket of water from the soapy one they then dip it into to wash your car.
http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/meguiars/lambswool-wash-mitt.aspx
and make sure they rinse it in a differnt bucket of water from the soapy one they then dip it into to wash your car.
OP
OP
I have two of those
