Re: Leather seat restoration

Posted by su8overdrive On 2022/7/23 6:16:42

George, the four-generation auto (earlier carriage) upholstery shop est. 1897 who well knows Packards i might refer you to is on the wrong coast, but to preserve as much of the original leather as possible use jojoba oil. Trader Joe's has it, and it works better than Neatsfoot Oil, which is vile stuff, made from the shin bones and feet of cattle, talk about insult to injury.

Neat is the Old English word for cattle.

Many like the cracks, patina of old leather upholstery akin to the character lines in the face of a beautiful woman of a certain age. So only replace what has horse hair and springs poking out.

Never a fan of leather, always liked the optional whipcord available in immediate prewar Buick, Cad and Packard convertibles. Similar to gabardine, used in topcoats, uniforms, equestrian and other sportswear, wears like iron, much more comfortable, and humane, than leather.

You've got an interesting trio of Packards.

Saw a '35 Duesenberg originally fitted with leatherette, which is what they called an early version of the hide of the rare, seldom seen Nauga, first owned by an Indian maharajah. So if you go that route, tell the clipboard wielders your cars ordered by discerning Hindus.

Selling leather as a premium upholstery material (below link) ranks with Rolls-Royce's cagey advertising since their earliest days, recalling Lauren Pomeroy and others in the know long since dismissing R-R as "a triumph of craftsmanship over engineering" and "a bloody good confidence trick."

"Bridge of Weir" long a banner for the hides of cattle from England, Scotland, Ireland where barbed wire not used, hence fewer imperfections. Today, Bridge of Weir ballyhoos humane treatment and concern for these animals as or more sentient, intelligent, social as those many keep for pets, consider family members. Until they're murdered for burgers.

Then you had later R-Rs trumpeting "unborn calf hide" for the well-heeled Caligula set.

Jojoba oil is hands down the best stuff for leather. Your wife or squeeze (or both) might have some but then you'll have some 'splainin' to do.https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/auto-leather-isn-t-all-it-s-cracked-up-to-be/ar-AAOUUDx