Advice on leather seat stitching repair

[Oro_O]

Picked up another P2 awd Volvo (S60 turbo) the other night for a family member. It has sat unused for a few years and I need to catch up on much maintenance, but is extremely sound mechanically and exterior body will clean up to be excellent.

One thing I don't know how to do (think I do) is deal with this leather seat stitch failure. The original owner carried one or more big dogs in it a lot. The rear and driver's seat bottoms need refinishing, which I can do. The driver's seat has a bottom panel with the stitching failed and withdrawn. No tears at all to the leather or stitch holes, just missing stitching.

Should I take it off and take it to a leather shop for re-stitching? I have hog-ring pliers, etc. and can do that, though I know it's not super easy.

 

[RooflessVW]

I would buy a new cover or track down a good used one.

 

[Oro_O]

I would buy a new cover or track down a good used one.

Only a pristine used whole seat makes sense in that regard ( and that's rare/hard to find and way more expensive).

I can't buy a "new" OE bottom leather seat cover for a 15 year old car or easily find a decent quality used one. And the labor is 100% the same; I have to remove/replace it and likely have to refinish it also after this much time and use.

Not a fan of seat covers and I like and enjoy the look and feel of good leather, and how they also enhance the driving experience when you drive a bit harder. I can tolerate a cheap cover a little while until I can do the repair properly, but not long-term.

 

[aquariuscsm]

How about this?
https://katzkin.com

 

[atikovi]

I'd take it off and bring it to an auto upholstery shop. Can't imagine more than $50-60 to restitch, but for another $80-$100 I'd replace the center panel.

 

[meep]

Use a thick needle and carpet thread. Use pliers to push and pull it through. I’ve done this with volvos and their leather is wonderful. You might be surprised what you can do. You may even reuse the same holes.

 

[Trav]

Buy it once and be done with it, this may or may not be the correct one but they are available. I found a complete OE set front/rear tops and bottoms for $150 +$25 shipping in Lithuania for an 06 Saab, you just need to look.

https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/133060/Seat-Upholstery-Front-Bottom-Oak-39987628/

An alternative...

https://www.lseat.com/products/2000-2008-volvo-s60-custom-real-leather-seat-covers-front.html

 

[Oro_O]

I appreciate the quality of a new piece, but those prices just aren't in the budget.

I found a complete OE set front/rear tops and bottoms for $150 +$25 shipping in Lithuania for an 06 Saab, you just need to look.

I had found things, including the Lithuanian supplier. But $200 for a seat bottom when I can refinish this one just didn't make sense to me / the project costs. If the leather was actually ripped, cut, etc., vs. just some unraveled stitching, I'd have to pursue that.

Use a thick needle and carpet thread. Use pliers to push and pull it through. I’ve done this with volvos and their leather is wonderful. You might be surprised what you can do. You may even reuse the same holes.

I might give that a shot, actually. The existing holes are not damaged at all, it's just the thread gave way and unraveled.

I refinished the back seat base yesterday and it looks great; There's nothing about the leather here I can't make look near new for free (have the color and sealer on hand obviously). Since there's no actual damage to the leather, I'm going to repair and not replace in one fashion or another. This pic is just after one thin coat and before the acrylic top sealer; it'll look great when installed.

 

[meep]

Nice work! You’ve gotta pat yourself on the back here.

 

[FordMan59]

Looks like a good job on the stitching. Now if you could find some dye the same color and re-dye the worn area.