3rd Driver's Seat Back!!!???

[Marauderjack]

Maybe I'm just plain rough on things but I noticed the embossed "God's Head" finished surface wearing away in the high spots about 8 months after I bought the car??:argue: I went to a place that specializes in refinising leather and had them spray it but the match was poor and the finish very sticky so I got the dealer to replace it under warranty.....All was good and I watched the guy R&R the cover.....Pretty simple actually!!:beer:

Well, with the car coming up on the end of my warranty I noticed the same wear on the replacement seat back!!!:mad2:

The dealer ordered it along with a new gauge pod and TC switch panel (both had paint coming off)!!:cool:

I installed the pod and panel and took the seat cover with me for installation Monday.....After thinking about how inconvenient that was I installed it myself Friday!!:beer: It took me all of 30 minutes and the time consuming part was the side air bag.....had to disconnect the battery and unbolt the air bag from the seat frame.:)

There are only two screws at the base of the hard plastic seat back and two nuts on the air bag assembly....the rest is plastic clips and velcro!!:bows:

Pretty slick the way they make this stuff now!!;)

Now the seat bottom looks like it is VERY OLD....but in good shape!!

Marauderjack:D

PS: Anyone else having this problem??

[AzMarauder]

How many miles on your car?

Is it garaged?

Are your windows tinted?

Do you use a sunscreen in the window when the car is parked?

I haven't had the problems you mention, but I only have 12k miles on my 2003. I am wondering if your problems are climate related and thus my questions about the sun and tint. If you drive the car a lot, and say you park it at work in a specific direction (that direction is say south or southwest) and don't use a sun block perhaps that is what is doing the damage?

[Marauderjack]

Car is almost three years old and sits outside all the time. The panel that has the God's head seems to be a cheap leather or synthetic with a vinyl type spray on finish......I found you can remove the finish completely with 90% isopropyl alcohol!!:rolleyes:


No tint on windows and I don't used a screen......I sweat a lot and I guess the rubbing of my back wears it off??:confused:

BTW: The rest of the seat is fine as far as the surface finish....just a bit dirty from wear.

I have never liked leather seats in a car....hot....cold...sticky... hard to keep clean....and wear poorly!!:argue: I wish there had been a cloth option!!:o

The next one is on me....I guess!!

Marauderjack:burnout:

[AzMarauder]

Car is almost three years old and sits outside all the time. The panel that has the God's head seems to be a cheap leather or synthetic with a vinyl type spray on finish......I found you can remove the finish completely with 90% isopropyl alcohol!!:rolleyes:


No tint on windows and I don't used a screen......I sweat a lot and I guess the rubbing of my back wears it off??:confused:

BTW: The rest of the seat is fine as far as the surface finish....just a bit dirty from wear.

I have never liked leather seats in a car....hot....cold...sticky... hard to keep clean....and wear poorly!!:argue: I wish there had been a cloth option!!:o

The next one is on me....I guess!!

Marauderjack:burnout:

Well as harsh as the sun is on the interior etc... perhaps it is time to start using a sunscreen and get some tint on the windows. Here in Arizona the car body will last forever, but the interior will rot out of the car very quickly if one doesn't do something about the sun. I would suggest in SC you have similar issues.

[Marauderjack]

It is just the "Embossed" emblem.....nothing else!!:shake:

I don't think the panel is leather or if it is it is not finished well?? :confused:

The rest of the seat and the rest of the seats are fine so I wouldn't suspect UV degradation??:cool:

If you have a dark interior you probably wouldn't notice it since the stuff under the finish is dark too.

Leather seats have been around a long time without UV protection but I don't think embossed leather has been used too much....especially in an area that sees a lot of abrasion ??:nono:

BTW, Thanks for your replies and suggestions!!

Marauderjack:sleepy: