daiSho

hi all... ok, i am at the point where i need to decide here, i can either get new leather covers for my stock tan seats, or try to find a pair of used stock black seats... which is the better route? i've searched the forum for all refences to leatherseats.com and other recovering options, but there never has been much discussion about the final outcome, or comparison against stock...

do these aftermarket leather covers come out looking like factory seat covers, or do they look loose, or ill-fitting in any way? i can go either way, and would prefer having brand-new covers, but if the fit isn't up to the factory specs than i'd rather stick w/ factory options... thx for any input here friends..

7racer

I am looking at doing the same and was wondering what you ending up doing??

There was a thread about converting the color but then the plastic had to be painted black and would occasionally rub off and peel.

Also I saw a pic of a nicely releather tan seats....but the only thing I noticed was that the leather wasn't cut out for the seatbelt holder on the top side of the seat......

Vick

Actually he's in the process of a possible trade with me.

We are going to meet tomorrow and if all goes well I'll get the tan seats and he'll take my black ones.

wanklin

iTrader: (2)

Just reupholster your seats man. That way you will end up with some brand new looking seats. Just buy that leather kit online and take it to an upholstry shop.

-Rob

7racer

but I was wondering how the tan plastic holds up after being painted black?

Wankelguy

Forget the paint for changing the color of the plastic, it sucks. Check out my thread in this forum about using leather dye on sun-faded plastic parts. You can also dye plastic with, of all things, RIT dye!
I'd just take the seats to a good upholstery shop and tell 'em "do 'er up right!"
However, fitted seat covers can be great, or they can be horrid depending on how well they're cut and installed. Installing seat covers PROPERLY can be tricky. Good luck with it! -WG

7racer

Hey WG!

I remember that post.....

but will it work on changing a tan plastic part to black? It seems like it does a good job on "freshening" a faded black part.......

Wankelguy

Hi, 7Racer.

Good question, though I suspect it would work as the sun-faded parts are mostly gray in color before they are dyed. I think the best way would be to use Rit dye first, and follow up with the leather dye if necessary. You have to get the Rit dye solution pretty hot to work, so one would need to be careful not to get it so hot as to melt the plastic parts. Then there is also the question of size. Large parts would have to be dyed in a good-sized vessel. A Coleman stove is handy for this kind of stuff. By the way, I would dye the parts navy blue first, then black. It will look "blacker" that way! -WG

Brentis

Can't one just buy the black plastic parts? How much could it cost??

blondeRX7babe

i'm looking to change my seats from tan leather to tan suede but while my driver seat was tearing i bought a set of tan seats from my buddy so currently i have a passenger seat in mint condition and a driver's seat which needs some help. hence my interest in recovering with suede. i was just concerned with the upkeep long term. (live in fl) butspeaking of replacing the plastic pieces in the car.. OMIGOD! that piece deep in the front dash the defrost vent i believe... mine cracked in a few places.. it costs (through mazda) $$$169!!!

no thanks.. epoxy glue and some sweet interior paint with a sanding job in between will work for now.

7racer

blonde,

did you ever think about going with leatherseats.com?

They also have a suede option
here is GB you just missed.
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...2&page=1&pp=15

my recovered seats.
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...t+belt+holders