Leather Seat issue

[danksheehan]

Hi all,

First time Jeep wrangler owner here, 2021 Sahara high altitude.

After driving my wrangler I noticed the imprint from the stitching of my cargo shorts is imprinted in my leather.

I can’t feel it but it’s in the leather.

I have tried using conditioner and heat gun to remove but no luck.

Pic attached.

I have had all leather seats in my other vehicles but never seen this.

Contemplating having seat cover replaced but want to see if this is normal or common.

Thank you in advance for any info.



Dan

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[danksheehan]

Anyone seen this?

wondering if defective and should replace.

thank you in advance for any help

 

[TheRaven]

Where exactly is it in the seat? There's not a lot of actual leather in the Wrangler "leather" seats. I suspect that might be vinyl that got too hot.

 

[Wabujitsu]

Anyone seen this?

wondering if defective and should replace.

thank you in advance for any help

I’m sorry Dan. I have a ‘21 (since ‘21) JLUR with the “leather” seats, and I wear cargo shorts almost exclusively, year ‘round. The only marks I have are from the butt of my CCW weapon, and those are very slight, in spite of the constant pressure.

 

[danksheehan]

Where exactly is it in the seat? There's not a lot of actual leather in the Wrangler "leather" seats. I suspect that might be vinyl that got too hot.

Marks are right in the middle of seat. They are the upgraded leather (I think, maybe vinyl).
today it made more imprints but they are gone after cooling.
the ones in pictures are there permanent.
do you think I should consider it a defect and replace?
Didn’t want to replace if common and will do on new ones as well.
$1500 to replace seat cover.
$900 labor and $600 for part.
thank you in advance for your experience and opinions.

Dan

 

[danksheehan]

I’m sorry Dan. I have a ‘21 (since ‘21) JLUR with the “leather” seats, and I wear cargo shorts almost exclusively, year ‘round. The only marks I have are from the butt of my CCW weapon, and those are very slight, in spite of the constant pressure.

Thank you sir.
Marks are right in the middle of seat. They are the upgraded leather (I think, maybe vinyl).
today it made more imprints but they are gone after cooling.
the ones in pictures are there permanent.
do you think I should consider it a defect and replace?
Didn’t want to replace if common and will do on new ones as well.
$1500 to replace seat cover.
$900 labor and $600 for part.
thank you in advance for your experience and opinions.

Dan

 

[danksheehan]

Where exactly is it in the seat? There's not a lot of actual leather in the Wrangler "leather" seats. I suspect that might be vinyl that got too hot.

Is it possible the vinyl (or leather) got too hot and the imprint is in the material permanently?
I have tried a hair dryer to try to remove but no luck.
Thank you

 

[Wabujitsu]

Thank you sir.
Marks are right in the middle of seat. They are the upgraded leather (I think, maybe vinyl).
today it made more imprints but they are gone after cooling.
the ones in pictures are there permanent.
do you think I should consider it a defect and replace?
Didn’t want to replace if common and will do on new ones as well.
$1500 to replace seat cover.
$900 labor and $600 for part.
thank you in advance for your experience and opinions.

Dan

You’re welcome, sir!

Dan, if it really bothers you, I would take it to a leather shop and ask their opinion. They may have a way to erase those marks. I would *probably* overlook it, as it doesn’t affect function, but I certainly wouldn’t criticize anyone for wanting it fixed.

If you do replace it, I recommend you don’t replace it with the same material, UNLESS there is a demonstrable material/leather processing defect, a one-off.

If you have trouble finding a leather shop, look for “shoe repair” and/or “furniture repair.” You should be able to find someone competent.

 

[TheRaven]

Is it possible the vinyl (or leather) got too hot and the imprint is in the material permanently?
I have tried a hair dryer to try to remove but no luck.
Thank you

If it's real leather, it's not a heat problem. Vinyl melts but leather does not. If that's in one of the center panels in one of the front seats, it's leather. That being the case, you can take a Scotchbrite pad (I use the red but the grey will work too) along with a good leather cleaner, like Lexol, and lightly scrub the entire panel. That should remove the marks...I say do the entire panel because it will return the leather to its factory matte finish so you don't want to just do a spot. Once you are done, wipe away the cleaner with a cloth and apply conditioner.

 

[danksheehan]

If it's real leather, it's not a heat problem. Vinyl melts but leather does not. If that's in one of the center panels in one of the front seats, it's leather. That being the case, you can take a Scotchbrite pad (I use the red but the grey will work too) along with a good leather cleaner, like Lexol, and lightly scrub the entire panel. That should remove the marks...I say do the entire panel because it will return the leather to its factory matte finish so you don't want to just do a spot. Once you are done, wipe away the cleaner with a cloth and apply conditioner.

Thank you so much.

 

[danksheehan]

If it's real leather, it's not a heat problem. Vinyl melts but leather does not. If that's in one of the center panels in one of the front seats, it's leather. That being the case, you can take a Scotchbrite pad (I use the red but the grey will work too) along with a good leather cleaner, like Lexol, and lightly scrub the entire panel. That should remove the marks...I say do the entire panel because it will return the leather to its factory matte finish so you don't want to just do a spot. Once you are done, wipe away the cleaner with a cloth and apply conditioner.

Thank you so much.

 

[AFD]

Looks like actual abrasion/scuffing as opposed to a deformation or indentation.

Does your cargo shorts have any small rivets on the back pockets?

I've scuffed my leather office chair and a hardwood kitchen chair because of that.

Thankfully, the leather seats in my JL only have indentations from my CCW and my wallet, but not any scratches/gouges from metal trouser rivets so far.

 

[danksheehan]

Looks like actual abrasion/scuffing as opposed to a deformation or indentation.

Does your cargo shorts have any small rivets on the back pockets?

I've scuffed my leather office chair and a hardwood kitchen chair because of that.

Thankfully, the leather seats in my JL only have indentations from my CCW and my wallet, but not any scratches/gouges from metal trouser rivets so far.

None. Just old navy cargo shorts.
No idea how it got scuffed or abrasions.
Can’t feel them.
Do you think it can be fixed or damaged permanently.
I now have message to a local leather upholstery shop as well.
Thank you again.

Dan

 

[Casper_]

Is it possible that prior to seating in the Jeep you've sat somewhere and got some sand, or some type of chemical dust (fertilizer, cement dust, etc) that when combined with moisture (sweat) attacked the leather/leatherette?

 

[AFD]

None. Just old navy cargo shorts.
No idea how it got scuffed or abrasions.
Can’t feel them.
Do you think it can be fixed or damaged permanently.
I now have message to a local leather upholstery shop as well.
Thank you again.

Dan

I believe @TheRaven is correct that the center seat panels are indeed real leather and should be able to be addressed with a leather treatment product. Personally not sure if I'd break out the Scotchbrite pad immediately and think I'd first try rubbing in a good leather conditioner with a clean rag and see if it improves first. If not, then try a more intensive correction method.

Best of luck!

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