Marc from auto lavish I need help

[moneypit]

ok these are NOS leather inserts for my wifes typhoon the leather is butter soft but there are horizontial lines or creases from when they were stored,how can I get them out?

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

ok these are NOS leather inserts for my wifes typhoon the leather is butter soft but there are horizontial lines or creases from when they were stored,how can I get them out?

Hi there,
Are you sure the creases are there only because of storage? The panel looks like the leather is meant to have that wrinkled/textured look, so if you want that completely gone you'll need to take it to someone that can stretch it out properly.

If you're just talking about easing the creases a little bit, that should be another issue, but one that is more workable thankfully. The key will be a good thorough cleaning and potentially a little heat.
Because you have these out of the car, and because they go to a some what rare vehicle, I'd recommend using Leatherique Oil (http://www.detailedimage.com/Leatherique-M8/Rejuvenator-Oil-P65/16-oz-S1/) as it's obvious you want to do this project right. You'll only use a couple ounces of the oil, but you'll have plenty for the future as well. Rub the oil in by hand and allow it to sit for a couple of hours. After you let it sit, come back with a hair dryer to warm up the oil and leather, focusing on the areas where creasing seems to be the worst. The idea is to help lessen the creasing more than anything. The warmth will help the leather to loosen up and soften, and the oil will help to deeply clean the surface of the leather in those hard-to-reach areas. The warmth also helps the oil to flow easier, so it can get into those areas you really need it to work; in those creases.
After letting it sit for even longer, work the leather (focus again on the creases) with a toothbrush. This will take time and isn't the most fun thing to do, but if you watch tv while you do it, it'll go by much quicker. The light physical agitation from the nylon bristles paired with some warmth and Leatherique Oil will do wonders.

A former Michigander now in Florida is known for his work with a toothbrush on interiors. While it's slow going, you can't argue with the results which are phenomenal: http://www.autopia.org/forum/pro-de...interior-detailing-my-tribute-toothbrush.html

When all is said and done, clean the oil off with a water + woolite mixture (15 parts water to every 1 part Woolite). You'll need to do some light agitation with the diluted Woolite most likely, but overall it shouldn't be too bad.


Let me know if you have any questions on this, or if there's anything else I can help you with. Happy detailing and please let me know how things turn out!
-Marc

 

[moneypit]

there are pleats from the factory but a crease runs the length of the panel its more of a dent from the panels being packed in a box for 20 years

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

Gotcha. I'd still work on cleaning them while using some heat. Multiple applications of heat will be needed, and keep in mind with such a rare item it is better to take a month of doing it right than to mess them up trying to get it done in 5 minutes. Stay away from a heat gun and just work a hair dryer. If you're not doing much better after several hours invested, let me know and I'll contact some leather experts I know of.

 

[moneypit]

cool I have 17 sets that are all this way

 

[Billydroveit]

We used to remove wrinkles in leather seats when prepping for autoshows with a steamer. Worked great and no damage to the surface. But we also replaced those seats every two days. Mark's sounds much better for a long term suited application. but figured i'd throw another perspective in.