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| | | Forums66 Topics128,113 Posts1,056,279 Members48,439 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 | 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 | | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 | Check with your local upholstery shop. Sometimes soap & water is enough but maybe it needs to be the "right" soap!
Ed
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,076 Authorized Pest | | Authorized Pest Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,076 | You gotta see this. When I did this tech tip, I was amazed at the before and after. Peg
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804"Charlie" - The Stovebolt FlagshipIn the Gallery"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill | | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 | Excellent tech tip!  | | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,076 Authorized Pest | | Authorized Pest Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,076 | 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 FlagshipIn the Gallery"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill | | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 | 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. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,076 Authorized Pest | | Authorized Pest Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,076 | 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 FlagshipIn the Gallery"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill | | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 24 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 24 | 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.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,076 Authorized Pest | | Authorized Pest Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,076 | 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 FlagshipIn the Gallery"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill | | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 24 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 24 | 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. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 | Thanks SeatGuy, Will try those products. This original seat is in to good of shape to pitch out. Jim | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | 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 -there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 | 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.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 | 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.
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