Went on another parts run!

nubuilder

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I woke up this morning at 5am to drive to Chisago City, MN (by Saint Paul, MN) to get a pair of leather front seats for the S10. They are gray, full power, and heated. The seats aren't in that bad of shape for being from a '99. There are spots where the leather is rubbed off, but there are no tears. I may or may not look into how much reupholstering and covering may be. Cost of seats = $75 for the pair.

I also wanted to get the drive shaft tube assembly that goes from the front diff to the pass. wheel. The advantage to this (which is only found on the Oldsmobile Bravada) is that it is stronger and does away with all the vacuum lines running to the front diff. If something were to go wrong, gear oil could get sucked up into the vacuum lines and into the HVAC system. Once that happens, its time to replace everything. I ended up getting the part I wanted in addition to an aluminum 3.42 (I'm guessing) front diff which is of no use to me. Cost = $50 for the assembly.

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These were taken right after getting home. Since these, I have wiped them down with a cleaner/conditioner.

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I have the trim piece that holds/covers the buttons. I'll need to figure out a better way to mount the switches.

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Bottom of Driver's seat. I guess that when the seat has the memory function (which I will not be using) it gets a "brain" underneath it. Hanging in front of the brain is a connector that I have absolutely no idea where it goes. Any ideas? (the pass. seat does not have this from what I can see)

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I'd really like to take all the mounting brackets off and repaint them, but they appear to be riveted on, so I don't know what I'm gonna do. I'm also going to contact a local shop about replacing the leather on the seat bottom only for both seats and possibly re-foaming the driver's seat. The seat backs and headrests are in good condition and are just a little dirty.


What do you guys use for conditioning your leather seats? I've never had leather before so I don't know what is best to use on them.
 

nubuilder

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Nice find. :thumbs:
I realize they are kinda rough, but they're not as bad as they could be. I'm happy with their condition (and features). I was worried about finding gray ones; most are either black or tan.


Now I need to figure out how to swap the mechanism that allows the seat back to fold forward so I'll still be able to get in the back.
 

JOEGMC

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Nice find Matt :thumbs:


I did a google search for ya Matt!

http://www.leatherique.com/do_it_your_self_instruction/how_to_re-dye_leather.html

I have Tan/Taupe two tone leather in Toyota and Black in the GMC.
Believe or not I found that ArmorAll leather cleaner/conditioner does good. IMHO. I was really pleased with the result.
I got even better results were using Adams leather care products...but damn their expensive, and shipping was outrages the last time I went to buy some. Maybe Jarrod can make you a good deal.

Here's another google for ya.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080303175627AACbKSd
 

nubuilder

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Nice find Matt :thumbs:


I did a google search for ya Matt!

http://www.leatherique.com/do_it_your_self_instruction/how_to_re-dye_leather.html

I have Tan/Taupe two tone leather in Toyota and Black in the GMC.
Believe or not I found that ArmorAll leather cleaner/conditioner does good. IMHO. I was really pleased with the result.
I got even better results were using Adams leather care products...but damn their expensive, and shipping was outrages the last time I went to buy some. Maybe Jarrod can make you a good deal.

Here's another google for ya.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080303175627AACbKSd
Thanks Joe! Yeah, Adam's is the best, but you pay for every bit of it. However, I do need to order some other stuff too.

So you would suggest dyeing the seats again? Would that take care of the light spots? I'd just be worried about a perfect match again. Crimony! They want $100-$200 for their system! :eek:

Do you use the spray bottle stuff or the gel ArmorAll has? I just used the wipes just to get them wiped down.
 

Texas Jim

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Leather is the skin of a cow...
You have skin...

For cleaning and conditioning... Don't put anything on Leather that you wouldn't put on your own skin...

For cleaning leather...get a Dove soap bar... (it has skin cleansing cream in it)...put it in a quart or so of water and let it dissolve...

Using SOFT paper towels of SOFT cloths... take a little bit of the DOVE and water mixture and clean a small part of the seat at a time.
Don't get in a hurry, and don't SCRUB IT real hard...
Use other soft cloths and clear water to remove the DOVE mixture and the dirt..

Take your time and you will be surprised at how much STUFF comes off of the seats...
For conditioning... I use Mequiers GOLD CLASS Leather Conditioner on the Caddy...

Just my thoughts on it... for whatever it might be worth.
I have had leather in almost every car I have had for the last 30 or 35 years.
 

nubuilder

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Thanks Jim!

Great advice. I can't believe something so simple and easy isn't recommended, but that wouldn't make manufacturers any money. :lol:

Should I use microfiber towels or are normal wash clothes and towels alright?
 

Texas Jim

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Thanks Jim!

Great advice. I can't believe something so simple and easy isn't recommended, but that wouldn't make manufacturers any money. :lol:

Should I use microfiber towels or are normal wash clothes and towels alright?

Regular washcloths should be OK as long as you don't have HARD water and the cloths are nice and soft...
Old fashioned baby diapers also work well... they are real soft.

The microfiber towels are also just fine to use.
 

nubuilder

Why buy new when you can restore?
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Thanks Jim!

Great advice. I can't believe something so simple and easy isn't recommended, but that wouldn't make manufacturers any money. :lol:

Should I use microfiber towels or are normal wash clothes and towels alright?

Regular washcloths should be OK as long as you don't have HARD water and the cloths are nice and soft...
Old fashioned baby diapers also work well... they are real soft.

The microfiber towels are also just fine to use.
No old fashioned baby diapers. We're not all old like you Jim. :jester:

I'll just go with microfiber. We don't have a water softener so that'll be my best bet.

Thanks again Jim!
 

Texas Jim

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Thanks Jim!

Great advice. I can't believe something so simple and easy isn't recommended, but that wouldn't make manufacturers any money. :lol:

Should I use microfiber towels or are normal wash clothes and towels alright?

Regular washcloths should be OK as long as you don't have HARD water and the cloths are nice and soft...
Old fashioned baby diapers also work well... they are real soft.

The microfiber towels are also just fine to use.
No old fashioned baby diapers. We're not all old like you Jim. :jester:

I'll just go with microfiber. We don't have a water softener so that'll be my best bet.

Thanks again Jim!

Walmart still carries them...just in case you ever need them... :lol: :lol: :rollin:
 

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