The Upholstery Thread

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove) 02/10/2017 at 11:52 • Filed to: cheap ass interiors

1

28

So, I’ve had this RX-8 for over 12 years now, and I love it. But I’ve been losing my constant battle with the leather upholstery, only on the driver’s seat. I move around in it a lot while getting my chair in and out, and the vinyl part of the material developed cracks that expanded into rips. I stemmed the tide for a while with Liquid Vinyl (“as seen on TV!”) patches, but they broke through. At this point, I don’t know what I can do, if anything, other than pay to reupholster the cabin, and that would be kinda pricey.

Anyone else with similar problems, post your solutions, or just commiserate with me.

Outside driver’s seat. I patched it with Liquid Vinyl, and that held for most of a year.

Driver’s seat bolster. Notice how only the vinyl side is cracked. The leather has held up quite well.

Inboard side of driver’s seat. This is the worst. I’m thinking of duct taping it out of frustration.

Bonus Mazda cheapness: hobby store metallic paint trim was a corporate tradition until most recently.

My citroen won't start > Chariotoflove 02/10/2017 at 11:56

1

Did one of DeVos grizzly bears get inside your car?

Takuro Spirit > Chariotoflove 02/10/2017 at 12:03

1

At first I was like:

“That can be fixed by an upholstery shop...”

Then I was like:

“OH FUCK”

And then I was like:

“GOD DAMN”

Nothing > Chariotoflove 02/10/2017 at 12:04

1

A used seat would be a cheaper option than reupholstering, although given the abuse the seats get, that would be a temporary solution.Maybe a used seat with some kind of reinforcement/protective vinyl stitched on. It sure seems that there should be seats available, either junkyard or people swapping in racing seats.

When I had my RX8, I resprayed the center console and covered it with clear vinyl. The stock piece is dinged and scratched so easily.

jsemerica > Chariotoflove 02/10/2017 at 12:20

1

I’m surprised how bad that is, mine with 90k has held up well. The good news is that used seats and center console are cheap and plentiful.

DrScientist > Chariotoflove 02/10/2017 at 12:36

1

pretty sure a good upholstery shop can just replace the panels that need replacing. so you don’t have to spend for the entire thing.

your console on the other hand... i have no idea. is that from... your watch? sleeve buttons? are you the wolverine?

Chariotoflove > My citroen won't start 02/10/2017 at 12:45

0

Wait, how did you manage to...aw never mind. Nah, those scratches are from the hard bits of my wheel chair. I used to put a seat cover over it, but it didn’t matter. It scratched right through.

Chariotoflove > Nothing 02/10/2017 at 12:51

0

I thought about an another seat, but haven’t looked to see how available they are. It sounds like installation would be a PITA.

I read about wrapping the console, and I may try it, but I’d want the replacement material to be good and durable, or else I’d feel like I wasted my money when it ripped.

Chariotoflove > DrScientist 02/10/2017 at 12:52

0

You think so? That would be a good option.

The console scratches are from my wheel chair. I put a seat cover over it, but it scratched right through.

Chariotoflove > jsemerica 02/10/2017 at 12:53

0

Well it’s time I looked into that market. Ebay?

Chariotoflove > Takuro Spirit 02/10/2017 at 12:53

0

Yeah, that’s pretty much my life. :/

jsemerica > Chariotoflove 02/10/2017 at 13:17

1

You could probably find a pair locally, hell you could even buy an entire car with a bad engine for not much more.

Chariotoflove > jsemerica 02/10/2017 at 13:31

0

Ha ha, everyone knows rotary engines never go bad.

DrScientist > Chariotoflove 02/10/2017 at 13:33

1

absolutlely regarding the patches. i just had the lower left leg bolster replaced on the driver’s seat on one of my cars. that piece was the only piece with cracks and wear, so i only replaced it (25 year old car no less). couldn’t give you a price for it as my uncle’s interior shop did it for a birthday present for me. but, as others say, it’s probably worth it to cross-shop used seats in good condition. i dont know how plentiful those seats are.

about your console, seems like the only thing that would be tough enough to withstand consistent metal scraping like that would be a harder metal. maybe there’s a machine shop around you that can match up something like that?

Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever > Chariotoflove 02/10/2017 at 13:35

1

I’ll chime in and support the used seat option, with a couple caveats. Mazda made a change to the seat mounted airbag for the 2009 model year. The best that I can tell from my interchange info is that 04-08 cloth seats ran one airbag, 04-08 leather ran a second, and 09-11 regardless of upholstery material used a third. The kicker is, finding a seat with the correct airbag to not piss off your SRS computer and end up with a fault code that won’t clear.

Swapping the seat shouldn’t be bad. Four bolts to anchor the seat, a handful of wiring connectors for power movement, and a yellow connector for the airbag. Make sure you disconnect the battery for about 10-15 minutes prior to disconnecting the SRS plug.

www.car-part.com is a decent resource to locate a seat. You can enter your zip code and sort by distance to try to find something within driving distance for pickup.

Chariotoflove > DrScientist 02/10/2017 at 13:39

0

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll call around.

The problem with the console is that it’s cheap plastic paint. It would be awesome to replace it with real metal. I don’t know it that’s even possible for any reasonable price. I’ve seen DIYs about wrapping it, but it would have to be really durable material to be worth it. I’ll give it some thought. Again, thanks.

AkursedX > Chariotoflove 02/10/2017 at 13:40

1

I have cloth seats in mine and they have minimal outside-lower bolster wear at 105k miles.

And I have also taken out and reinstalled the seats. It’s quite easy. 4 nuts and a electrical connector.

Chariotoflove > Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever 02/10/2017 at 13:43

1

Thanks for the link and the warnings. I found a couple of possibilities, but they are not local. Still, I’ll bookmark it. This could be a good resource for when the seat motor goes.

My citroen won't start > Chariotoflove 02/10/2017 at 16:21

0

I was talking about the seats, you usually see damage along the stitching or the seams. Those look like claw marks.

Monkey B > Chariotoflove 02/10/2017 at 16:27

1

an upholstery shop can replace the bad panels on the seats...it looks worse than it is. The other stuff can be fixed by someone like myself, but there are few of us that are good so tread with caution. Check with local used car dealers and ask who does interior work for them. Upholstery shop may do it as well or know someone.

Chariotoflove > My citroen won't start 02/10/2017 at 17:18

1

Yeah, I wish I could say it was from really wild sex, but reality is far less interesting.

Chariotoflove > Monkey B 02/10/2017 at 17:20

0

Thanks, I’m gonna do that. I’ve seen some DIYs on wrapping the console, but I only want to do it if I can protect it afterward.

Nauraushaun > Chariotoflove 02/12/2017 at 04:52

0

Surely if you get a used swat the problem will resurface.

Damn shame. My old Z had 20 year old leather in it, it had seen wear but held up well. This is trash.

Every damn manufacturer uses that fake aluminium bullshit, even on touch surfaces

Chariotoflove > Nauraushaun 02/12/2017 at 11:31

0

They do, but Mazda’a was especially cheap. I’m gonna see if I can replace the pleather panels with more durable material.

Nauraushaun > Chariotoflove 02/12/2017 at 21:07

1

Especially cheap. Ugh.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Chariotoflove 02/14/2017 at 14:04

0

The company I work for can replace all your seating upholstery for about a grand for standard/1300 for premium. Front and rear seats/door panels with all new material - It’s a leather/vinyl mix but our vinyl is far better quality than the stuff on it now.

2 patterns - standard and premium

pdf of standard pattern

Chariotoflove > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 02/14/2017 at 14:09

0

Cool, and you have a place for installation in Dallas?

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Chariotoflove 02/14/2017 at 14:12

0

CST Installation Center

1751 Hurd Dr
Suite 100
Irving TX 75038
USA

Phone: 972-492-2623

Please note that the price I quoted is for the Charlotte branch. Dallas may or may not be able to match it.

Chariotoflove > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 02/14/2017 at 14:14

0

Understood. Thanks.