Seat colour rubbing off

chris_fletcher · March 10, 2018

I have a 2015 RX450H FSport with red interior and the colour is coming off the drivers seat down the centre, worse at the rear of the seat and since last week, since I took it to the dealer for inspection, at two places close to where jeans back pockets would be. Wiping with a Supaguard leather wipe also brings the dye off and stains the cloth dark pink. Lexus has agreed to replace the seat cushion under warranty but I am very worried about the long term durability of the seats. This is my 6th Lexus and I have never had anything like this before.

I will try to post some photos but it doesnt show up well unfortunately.

Anyone else have a similar experience

rayaans · March 11, 2018

18 hours ago, chris_fletcher said:

I have a 2015 RX450H FSport with red interior and the colour is coming off the drivers seat down the centre, worse at the rear of the seat and since last week, since I took it to the dealer for inspection, at two places close to where jeans back pockets would be. Wiping with a Supaguard leather wipe also brings the dye off and stains the cloth dark pink. Lexus has agreed to replace the seat cushion under warranty but I am very worried about the long term durability of the seats. This is my 6th Lexus and I have never had anything like this before.

I will try to post some photos but it doesnt show up well unfortunately.

Anyone else have a similar experience

Yes, does it on my wife's IS. Haven't cleaned the seats on the RX yet as had no need to.

I figured its coming from the perforations, not from the actual seat itself. Additionally, I also found its worse on wear areas and I believe this is because of the rubbing and its actually dirt that's coming off. Its only that when seats are black, the dirt comes off as black and just looks like dirt.

By the way, I think the seats are semi-aniline so don't go cleaning them every month - deep clean once per year should be enough.

Should mention that we've had the wife's car 3 years now and its not made any difference. I did have a chat to a few leather specialists when my father in laws car needed some work doing and they said it happens when the seats are new due to excess dye but it should stop after a few hits. As long as its not getting on clothes etc, then its OK

chris_fletcher · March 11, 2018

unfortunately the colour is actually coming out, I have three areas that are almost showing base leather and a dark wear line down the centre from rear of seat to about 1/3rd length . Pretty poor IMO. I think semi aniline leather is only on the Premier. I any event warranty replacement of the drivers seat cushion so I am happy...ish. Will be asking for a written guarantee that if it happens again out of warranty that it will be sorted out.

So far I have had a new drivers door panel replaced for a rattle that was not needed as the fix was some felt between the quarter light metal divider and the back of the panel. Two seat bases replaced due to juddering motor action. Seats now creak when tilted up or down and in use if at anything other than tilted fully down. Due in for seat cushion reoplacement and creaking fixing on the 19th. Hopefully it will come back all OK

Total retail cost so far ~£7500

I am not filled with confidence that this car will remain fault free once the warranty expires. I really like it though so will probably buy an extended warranty.

Blue tooth connection to the phone is only about 50% successful, mostly says check phone but its calling but not connected through the speakers :-(

rayaans · March 11, 2018

Odd. Mine's a Feb 16 so relatively early. Have no issues whatsoever.

Would you mind taking some photos so i can compare with mine?

Mine's got 17k miles on atm

chris_fletcher · March 11, 2018

Mines late 65 plate also with ~17k miles. Pics attached. Its hard to get the wear to show clearly due to reflections off the leather but I have tried to adjust the images to make the marks and wear more apparent. The two blobs at each side have happened since last Monday when it was at the dealer

rayaans · March 11, 2018

1 hour ago, chris_fletcher said:

Mines late 65 plate also with ~17k miles. Pics attached. Its hard to get the wear to show clearly due to reflections off the leather but I have tried to adjust the images to make the marks and wear more apparent. The two blobs at each side have happened since last Monday when it was at the dealer

Yep ok so what's happened there is the top clear coating is coming off, hence why you've been having the colour come off on leather cleaning wipes.

Mine certainly dont look like that.

The only explanation I can think of are metal buttoned trousers or jeans. I made the same mistake once and it looked exactly like that on my 2004 RX and had to have it repaired. Bought new jeans with studs at the back, didn't give it a second thought and it left marks all over the seat but particularly in those two spots.

I have no idea how the middle line would be caused though

Either way, since then, I only have plastic buttons on my trousers and buy jeans without buttons at the back.

NemesisUK · March 11, 2018

Is the OEM finish on the RX leather really that glossy?

Lexie04 · March 12, 2018

Sorry to see the condition of your seats.

The RC seats are Dark Rose colour and you get blue dye off them when wiped with a damp cloth.

Have had no marks on mine after 2 years.. Just wipe with a damp cloth and put on some Gliptone Conditioner every 6 months.

RX seat colour looks more glossy than the RC.

PS. Will have to stop wearing those ARMANI Jeans. Scratched the seat side bolster on one of my previous car with that badge on the back of that type of jeans..

rayaans · March 12, 2018

12 hours ago, NemesisUK said:

Is the OEM finish on the RX leather really that glossy?

Mine isn't glossy - same as all the other Lexus leather seats.

Pictures look like they may have been taken in the dark with flash on (or some sort of artificial lighting) so probably looks more glossy than it actually is.

11 hours ago, Lexie04 said:

Sorry to see the condition of your seats.

The RC seats are Dark Rose colour and you get blue dye off them when wiped with a damp cloth.

Have had no marks on mine after 2 years.. Just wipe with a damp cloth and put on some Gliptone Conditioner every 6 months.

RX seat colour looks more glossy than the RC.

PS. Will have to stop wearing those ARMANI Jeans. Scratched the seat side bolster on one of my previous car with that badge on the back of that type of jeans..

They should be looking like this - nice and matt

chris_fletcher · March 12, 2018

13 hours ago, rayaans said:

Yep ok so what's happened there is the top clear coating is coming off, hence why you've been having the colour come off on leather cleaning wipes.

Mine certainly dont look like that.

The only explanation I can think of are metal buttoned trousers or jeans. I made the same mistake once and it looked exactly like that on my 2004 RX and had to have it repaired. Bought new jeans with studs at the back, didn't give it a second thought and it left marks all over the seat but particularly in those two spots.

I have no idea how the middle line would be caused though

Either way, since then, I only have plastic buttons on my trousers and buy jeans without buttons at the back.

I do not have metal buttoned jeans so not that causing it

chris_fletcher · March 12, 2018

13 hours ago, NemesisUK said:

Is the OEM finish on the RX leather really that glossy?

The appearance is more due to me adjusting levels, contrast and brightness to try and make the marks more visible, the shine is from a bit of sunlight reflection that looks worse in a photo than reality

rayaans · March 12, 2018

42 minutes ago, chris_fletcher said:

I do not have metal buttoned jeans so not that causing it

Work pants etc?

Possibly a poor previous repair rubbing off? Thats possibly the only other thing it could be especially as it seems to be in very specific places.

Britprius · March 12, 2018

Not wishing to hijack the thread, but does anyone know if there is a color code or trim code for the "cream" leather in my GS450h? Is it the code next to the paint code on the passenger door label?

John.

chris_fletcher · March 12, 2018

2 hours ago, rayaans said:

Work pants etc?

Possibly a poor previous repair rubbing off? Thats possibly the only other thing it could be especially as it seems to be in very specific places.

Definitely not work pants and a previous repair has occurred to me. Hopefully the replacement seat when completed wont suffer the same issue

rayaans · March 12, 2018

2 hours ago, Britprius said:

Not wishing to hijack the thread, but does anyone know if there is a color code or trim code for the "cream" leather in my GS450h? Is it the code next to the paint code on the passenger door label?

John.

What is the code next to the passenger door label? Also what year is the GS

49 minutes ago, chris_fletcher said:

Definitely not work pants and a previous repair has occurred to me. Hopefully the replacement seat when completed wont suffer the same issue

Unlikely to suffer from the same issue. Perhaps it was a poor previous repair after all.

Britprius · March 13, 2018

21 hours ago, rayaans said:

What is the code next to the passenger door label? Also what year is the GS

Unlikely to suffer from the same issue. Perhaps it was a poor previous repair after all.

The codes on the passengers door label are:-

C/T 1F2/LA03

A/TM A02A/L110

The car was registered January 2007, and is a GS450H.

I know 1F2 is the paint code

Any help with the seat leather color would be appreciated.

John.

rayaans · March 13, 2018

1 hour ago, Britprius said:

The codes on the passengers door label are:-

C/T 1F2/LA03

A/TM A02A/L110

The car was registered January 2007, and is a GS450H.

I know 1F2 is the paint code

Any help with the seat leather color would be appreciated.

John.

Yep, so LA03 is the interior colour. Its known as Cashmere in the US but could be something else in the UK

Britprius · March 13, 2018

Thanks Ryaan very helpful.

John.

chris_fletcher · March 20, 2018

Drivers seat cushion replaced under warranty today. Great service from Lexus Leeds. The new cushion is very matt compared to all other seats in the car but hopefully it will blend in over time.

Ala Larj · March 23, 2018

On 11/03/2018 at 4:33 PM, rayaans said:

By the way, I think the seats are semi-aniline so don't go cleaning them every month - deep clean once per year should be enough.

Mine are semi-analine apparently. I like to clean and condition them every couple of weeks. Is this a problem?

rayaans · March 23, 2018

4 hours ago, dutchie01 said:

I always thought that Lexus owners wete a pretty civilised bunch.

are we now seriously debating who is handicapped enough to obtain a blue badge????

The protective coating on semi aniline leather is much thinner than standard leather. The process of cleaning too often might rub the top layer off

I wouldn't think they need conditioning. A sealant should be fine without attracting dirt, maybe that's why it's getting dirty enough to clean every 2 weeks! I leave mine for 6-12 months atleast unless they get something really bad

The Sat Diver · March 28, 2018

I can relate to this too .. Black interior of my RX drivers seat bolster was wearing a wee bit so gave the worn bit a wipe over with shoe dye from my local cobblers .. perfect match and its still looking great after 6 months ! but i'll take note of the cleaning once a year regime .. thanks for the tip