Seat stittching - older 914's, Protection - rejuvination Options

[Pat Garvey]

My seats haven't had a full load in several years (it's a 72). The early cars had stititching on the seats, as opposed to moulded seams on the newer cars. Thus far I've had no problems with the stiching, but fear the worst. I, personally , have never encountered a product that REALLY softens the surrounding vinyl Areas, so the stitching remains usable. I worry that the first 6 months of road use will find the stitching causing the vinyl to tear.

Anyone dealing with this?
Pat

[Tom_T]

hat might help the seams Tod, but the vinyl getting stiff over time is the bigger problem, as well as being the danger at the seam stitching (same concern with the later heat-seamed seats BTW).

What's needed is something that can be applied to the vinyl leatherette and basketweave/perforated/etc. to return it's pliability and flexibility so it won't tear at the seams, nor crack & tear at the "field" or open areas between seams, at bolsters, etc.

[Valy]

I've been through the same situation. I have a car that was almost not driven from 1976 till 2010. The vinyl looked perfect but I could tell it was a bit cooked from the sun (there was a small tear in the car cover).
I tried to softener the vinyl many vinyl and leather oils. I even tried facial cream (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
After about 6 months of occasionally driving the car, the vinyl gave up at the seams. Only the plastic cover of the vinyl cracked, leaving the fabric layer intact.
I conclude that adding more support under the vinyl will not help.

I have a relatively rare brown vinyl interior but I was able to identify a replacement material of the same color. I'm going to recover the seats.