Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Upholstery wear

Slightly horrified to discover yesterday that I appear to be wearing through the surface of the leather on my driver's seat (the bolster - if that's the correct nomenclature - next to the door).

Patina's one thing ... but this'll be a hole before long - and the Roadster's only a few months old (I'm a bigg-ish bloke, and I guess that entry and exit can be a little challenging sometimes. Once I'm actually in the seat, I'm not in contact with the aforesaid bolster. I'm not that big!)

For the life of me I can't think of any practical way to stem the damage before it's too late. I can fit those metal protectors to the rear edge of the door opening/front of the rear arch - but does anyone have any tips re the seat itself? I'm not about to fit some sort of 'orrible seat cover, and spoil the image completely!

Keep the leather supple with regular application of hide food, apply sparingly and polish off.

That doesn't seem right my +4 is 14 years old and the leather is fine. Try cleaning & feeding it. I also have the metal strips.

I'm fairly new to the cars 5'8" 13 stone, but it has taken me a while to figure out the entry / exit procedure.

To get in, I kind of bend my left leg on the seat and slide into the seat while putting my left leg into the foot well, then manouver the right leg in. I have found this much easier on my back and probably the car seats as well.

Getting out, right leg out first, then sort of slide out with my hand on the rrunning board, mind you this is probably rubbing the side of the seat as you describe, but no damage so far.

I treat my seats to a very light coat of Gliptone leather conditioner every couple of weeks. I really like the new leather smell from this product and it leaves no residue after application. I also do this on my other car and after six years the seats are still almost as new.

DO YOU CARRY A COMB OR ANYTHING IN YOUR REAR POCKETS THEN WIGGLE YOUR ARSE TO GET COMMFY . YOU NEED TO FEED YOUR LEATHER AND LOOK AFTER IT LIKE ITS YOUR OWN SKIN.
JTL.

Had the same problem a few times my self particularly when the hood is up in bad weather..Jeans with studs or zips on the back pockets and leather jackets with metal fasteners and adjusters on the sides,all lethal to the seat side bolster...
Very careful now about what I wear when in the car as the leather is magnolia and shows every mark..
Her indoors is very good and feeds the leather on a regular basis.

My trick is -you won't like this - to let the tonneau cover fall over the seat . The car was built in 89 and the seats look like new. Meabh.

If you rub against the leather evry time you get in, it will wear. The piping is especially vulnerable. Mine is black,and the colour started to wear off, leaving a paler stip on the piping. But I got some dye from the Furniture Clinic, and redyed the mark. I also treat it regularly to keep the smell, and I favour Turtle Wax cleaner & conditioner, which came out well in a Practical Classics test a while ago.
http://furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Care_Products.php

Yes....Sounds very much like you have got something sharp or abrasive on your clothing which will be rapidly speeding up the wear on the leather.

Also try to avoid leaving the seat belt buckle over the surface of the seat or seat back. That can cause damage as you get in and out. Move the buckle to the side of the seat before entry or exit.

The secret is to get out of the car as little as possible...just keep driving !!

Oh dear me! Thanks everyone for your really helpful suggestions. However, I've no studs, zips, buckles, back-pocket combs or whatever to account for it; and I've applied hide food several times in the 4 months since I took over the Roadster.

Think I'll get it outside in good light tomorrow and have a really good look: I'm starting to wonder if it's dye from my jeans that's rubbed off on the bolster, and looks as though the leather facing is wearing off

I'll report back - and be prepared to eat humble pie!