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Joined: Jan 2000
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J
'Bolter
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Anyone have a good product for cleaning and frestening up these old seats. I believe these to be original ot this 53, can seen marroon color mostly on the top, also sides of the bottom. They are not ripped and the springs/padding is usable, just need to clean and treat it with something.

Thanks


It's easier to get forgiveness than permission!
1946 1/2-Ton Chevy
1953 Chevy 3/4-ton Factory Stakebed
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F
'Bolter
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Check with your local upholstery shop. Sometimes soap & water is enough but maybe it needs to be the "right" soap!


Ed
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You gotta see this.

When I did this tech tip, I was amazed at the before and after.

Peg


~ Peggy M
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H
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Excellent tech tip! thumbs_up


In the Stovebolt Gallery ~~ "The Orange Crate" 1965 C10 SWB Step Side Build Thread

Inspired to be different. Different in a way of my own, not in a way that others strive.
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Oh yea. I was wondering if I should clean the couch after I did that one! LOL


~ Peggy M
1949 Chevrolet 3804
"Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship
In the Gallery
"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill
Joined: Jan 2000
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J
'Bolter
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Good tip but I'm wondering after I clean the old cover with toilet cleaner (difficulty getting the plunger in the truck) is there something to fresten up this old leather like cover???

Jim
P.S. Peg, old couch is now in the burn pile, Barb got a new one last week.


It's easier to get forgiveness than permission!
1946 1/2-Ton Chevy
1953 Chevy 3/4-ton Factory Stakebed
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Jim,

Glad to hear you got a new couch. Have you ever burned one of those? Man ... sure is a blazing reminder about why not to smoke in bed or anything similar.

I don't know about the leather part. Will have to see who else might. If we get no joy here, I'll check with our local harness maker and see what he has to say.

Peg


~ Peggy M
1949 Chevrolet 3804
"Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship
In the Gallery
"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill
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I purchased a couple blue magic products- a vinyl/leather conditioner, and a vinyl/leather cleaner- meant to be used together.

After two applications of each on my original 53 seat covers, they were nice and soft again. Really blew my mind how well it worked.


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SeatGuy,

Do you have any before and after pictures we can see? We can add it to this Tech Tip if you can give us some more details.

Peggy


~ Peggy M
1949 Chevrolet 3804
"Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship
In the Gallery
"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill
Joined: Mar 2014
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Hi Peggy- unfortunately photos don't really show "softness"...

Products change so often i wouldn't recommend using it as a tech tip- The blue magic stuff is available today- but 6 months from now who knows. Sometimes you just have to experiment.

Good old fashioned saddle soap is another great product for cleaning vinyl and leather w/o drying out.

The key is you want something that will condition the vinyl as well as clean it (or a second step/product to condition it)

A good cleaner & conditioner will NOT leave it glossy or shiny looking.

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J
'Bolter
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Thanks SeatGuy, Will try those products. This original seat is in to good of shape to pitch out.
Jim


It's easier to get forgiveness than permission!
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1953 Chevy 3/4-ton Factory Stakebed
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O
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Lexol is the best on leather. The cleaner first then follow with the conditioner.

But you said yours is vinyl. I'm not sure if Lexol would be best for you.

We have had good luck with shop hand cleaners at the automotive museum with this type of vinyl cleaning. Then use a vinyl seat conditioner so it doesn't dry out and crack.

Last edited by oldbluetruck; 05/08/2014 4:55 PM.

Dennis
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I used Lexol on my Grandfathers vintage western saddle. Used a fingernail scrub brush with the Lexol Cleaner to scrub away decades of barn dirt.... it worked great.


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J
'Bolter
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Thanks John, will give that a try. These original seats are just in to good a shape to redo, just wish I could see that maroon again.



It's easier to get forgiveness than permission!
1946 1/2-Ton Chevy
1953 Chevy 3/4-ton Factory Stakebed

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