Is there any Product That...

[HammerDown]

...will soften the Vinyl side Seat panels on my Vette (please read on)
So, I have an 81 Vette I bought new and back in 2000 I reskinned the Seats myself (looks great) Read Leather Seats with Red Vinyl on the side bolsters...how it came from the factory.

The problem (I know it's from skin contact) over the years where my arm/skin hits the upper Vinyl side Bolster it has become kinda 'hard' (it's really odd) The bottom seat Bolsters are still soft.

Also and another issue, back then I replaced the Red Leather Steering Wheel...I know the oils in our skin effect surfaces. When I use a Leather protectant (any brand) on the Red Leather steering wheel a little Red Color lifts off!

Are there a product that may 'soften' the upper Vinyl side Bolster and, is there a product that will protect the Red Leather steering wheel and not lift the color?
Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Trav]

Talk to someone at an auto upholstery shop, I would be afraid that whatever softens it will make it weaker and split.

 

[CharBaby]

Start here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj8h0IQwP2s

 

[HammerDown]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Start here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj8h0IQwP2s

Thanks but I'm well aware Leather has a coating one it...obviously there are no Rad Cows lol
Anyhow, in my situation I'm trying to resoften the Vinyl upper Bolsters and, trying to stop the Read from coming off my Leather steering wheel.
I know both are happening because of years of skin contact but is there was way to halt the color bleed-off every time I clean the Read seats?

 

[Gasbuggy]

salt in your perspiration dried out the material. If you want to spend money, buy a leatherique kit and try it. If you want to be cheap, slather it in coconut oil and see how it responds after sitting for a while.

I think it will be hard to undo.

 

[HammerDown]

Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
salt in your perspiration dried out the material. If you want to spend money, buy a leatherique kit and try it. If you want to be cheap, slather it in coconut oil and see how it responds after sitting for a while.

I think it will be hard to undo.

"leatherique kit"...interesting product with excellent reviews!

 

[bonjo]

what I know (& experienced)is that rubber and plastic age with time and become hard and brittle. Heat and sunlight accelerate the process and organic chemicals (sweat etc) can also do so.

If vinyl falls into this category, then I would look for suitable conditioners or try products for reviving (or waterproofing) leather. But first it needs a good clean to removes the sweat & other stains