Need Help and Advice on Leather Seat

[S Dhuper]

Hi there, 

I've got a 350H Takumi Sep 1st 73 Plate, My Driver seat is showing signs of Leather stretching and kind of lines or folds. 

I went today to collect my 2nd Key Fob and while there they also had the Locking wheel nuts which they fitted. 

I saw one of the service agents and told him about the Leather seat he said it's just wear and tear, I said my car is only 5 Months old this can't be happening, there were 3 other NX350h parked in the yard none of them had this stretching marks, he just kept repeating there's nothing wrong. 

I saw the salesman who sold me the car to his credit he was understanding he took some photos of the seat and said he'll send it over to the warranty dept and he will contact me of the outcome, I am sending some photos of the seat so you guy's can see and give me your thoughts. Thanks 

[Ken R]

Certainly doesn't look right! I have had my NX450h for almost 2 years and c18000 miles and seat (Hazel leather) looks as good as new. 

[SH20]

The front section of your seat cover has probably not been stretched quite enough at the factory when the trimmer was installing it and getting in the car each time has started to force the little bit of slack in the leather in one direction  causing the start of folds.

My first Lexus a LS460 SE-L  suffered from slack leather caused by the first owner, who I met and he was a big lad.

My guess was as he  slid  across the driver's seat rather than dropping into the seat every time he entered the car he pushed the leather in the same direction  causing folds and once stretched there was no coming back from it.  The car had 30,000 miles on it which is why the slack in the leather looks so great. 

I removed the seat and the lower cushion squab and then found a really good car upholsterer who carefully unstitched the leather cover from the frame and stretched the cover, trimmed the excess stretched leather  and then re stitched it to the padding and seat heater matrix layer. Great job at £40 which then required the seat squab to be refitted to the base.  

There isn't an alternative for folds in leather and as your car is still under warranty Lexus will need to either authorise a new cover which requires a tear down of the seat and your dealer is likely to use a specialist upholsterer or  a tear down with a view to stretching the existing cover before re securing with hog ties.     The before and after shots show what a good trimmer can achieve.  

 

[ArneT]

14 minutes ago, SH20 said:

The front section of your seat cover has probably not been stretched quite enough at the factory when the trimmer was installing it and getting in the car each time has started to force the little bit of slack in the leather in one direction  causing the start of folds.

My first Lexus a LS460 SE-L  suffered from slack leather caused by the first owner, who I met and he was a big lad.

My guess was as he  slid  across the driver's seat rather than dropping into the seat every time he entered the car he pushed the leather in the same direction  causing folds and once stretched there was no coming back from it.  The car had 30,000 miles on it which is why the slack in the leather looks so great. 

I removed the seat and the lower cushion squab and then found a really good car upholsterer who carefully unstitched the leather cover from the frame and stretched the cover, trimmed the excess stretched leather  and then re stitched it to the padding and seat heater matrix layer. Great job at £40 which then required the seat squab to be refitted to the base.  

There isn't an alternative for folds in leather and as your car is still under warranty Lexus will need to either authorise a new cover which requires a tear down of the seat and your dealer is likely to use a specialist upholsterer or  a tear down with a view to stretching the existing cover before re securing with hog ties.     The before and after shots show what a good trimmer can achieve.  

 

Great info @SH20 Out of interest, any tips on finding a local upholsterer? Also, it sounds like you removed the seat / squab yourself? How easy did you find this? I know youtube exists, but wanted to get your first hand experience. 

Thanks,

[SH20]

Removing a seat out of the car in question the LS460 SE-L wasn't easy due to the weight of the seat.  Disconnecting the seat's side bolster air bags requires the 12volt Battery to be discounted and a full 10 mins wait time to allow for all relays in the car to discharge fully.  Separating the upper seat back from the base was straight forward and then removing the cushion from the base  took about 20 mins unpicking the frog clips which  hold the leather cover to the seat frame. Various velcro strips also needed addressing before the cushion was free from the seat base.  Refitting takes longer as it is unlikely that you can replicate the experience of the factory trim shop workers who built the seat in the first place but it's possible to get close.   Most seats never get dismantled into it's constituent parts apart for re trimming.

I lived in Leeds at the time so car trimmers are not difficult to find but any local body shop will for sure have a contact they use for specialist work like leather.  Specialist trimmers are used in preference to in house technicians because of a skill set trimmers have in working leather and vinyl and the sewing machines they use are heavy duty.  Often warm air from a heat gun is used to soften leather when it has to be shaped around hard and soft trim.  Of course YouTube is stuffed with videos of leather trim work  

The internet would be the best place to start looking a vehicle upholsterer in your area.  

 

[Andy B]

Similar to @Ken R who replied earlier, I have had my NX350h for nearly 2 years (and 11,500 miles). There is some very slight wear on the driver's seat but it's nothing more than what I would deem acceptable for a car of that age and mileage.

I definitely wouldn't expect to see the issues you are experiencing with a 5 month old car. You should definitely pursue this with Lexus.

[Gary H]

Mine is the same age as yours @S Dhuper and my driver's seat (hazel) is still pretty much perfect - so this is certainly something I would also be perusing. Obviously I can't comment on yours in terms of milage to compare, but I'm up to 3400. 

From your pictures, this is something I'd expect to see on an example that's a couple of years old. My previous UX was starting to get like this when I traded it in - but that was just shy of three and a half. At around this time, I deemed that to be reasonable wear and tear. 

With regards to my NX's driver's seat, all I have is a few very minor creases starting to develop on the right hand bolsters - which you'd rub up against getting in and out the car. By minor - I mean you have to literally put your face to within about six inches of them to see... 

[S Dhuper]

22 minutes ago, Gary H said:

Mine is the same age as yours @S Dhuper and my driver's seat (hazel) is still pretty much perfect - so this is certainly something I would also be perusing. Obviously I can't comment on yours in terms of milage to compare, but I'm up to 3400. 

From your pictures, this is something I'd expect to see on an example that's a couple of years old. My previous UX was starting to get like this when I traded it in - but that was just shy of three and a half. At around this time, I deemed that to be reasonable wear and tear. 

With regards to my NX's driver's seat, all I have is a few very minor creases starting to develop on the right hand bolsters - which you'd rub up against getting in and out the car. By minor - I mean you have to literally put your face to within about six inches of them to see... 

Hi Gary, My car's only done 1100 miles, I took it easy for the first miles so it's barely run in, the passenger and the back seats have no issues they look brand new, I'm just waiting to hear back from the Dealer 

[Summerbj]

I've owned my NX350h for 15 months from new, done 7500 miles and weigh approx. 85 kgs. As you can see from the attached photo, not a mark. In my opinion you definitely have a faulty seat covering.

 

[Ken R]

Just a point to add if you wear denim jeans? In my previous NX I had the ochre (cream) leather upholstery and I regularly had to clean the seat squab, particularly the bolster as it looked creased and was always amazed at how much dye was removed. Seat always came back like new though.

Currently have the Hazel leather but minimise the wearing of denim!

[Pm4]

A cheap alternative to try is to iron the seat with a thick paper or a cloth in between (no direct contact with the iron), starting with low heat, then medium , then hot,few seconds at the time, checking frequently until creases go.

But only works on real leather and depending on coating.

And saddle soap for cleaning, wash with a damp sponge, rinse with a clean damp sponge or cloth and let dry naturally. 

[SH20]

Will the warmth/heat expand the leather rather than shrink it

 

[Pm4]

Not usually, it should work on light stretching. 

If you burn your skin it will shrink, a blister will appear to compensate because there is moisture underneath. On leather there's no moisture. But has mentioned, it depends on the type of surface coating, if it is a plastic based coating, may do the opposite. 

[SH20]

Gotcha 

[S Dhuper]

On 2/8/2024 at 3:51 PM, S Dhuper said:

Hi there, 

I've got a 350H Takumi Sep 1st 73 Plate, My Driver seat is showing signs of Leather stretching and kind of lines or folds. 

I went today to collect my 2nd Key Fob and while there they also had the Locking wheel nuts which they fitted. 

I saw one of the service agents and told him about the Leather seat he said it's just wear and tear, I said my car is only 5 Months old this can't be happening, there were 3 other NX350h parked in the yard none of them had this stretching marks, he just kept repeating there's nothing wrong. 

I saw the salesman who sold me the car to his credit he was understanding he took some photos of the seat and said he'll send it over to the warranty dept and he will contact me of the outcome, I am sending some photos of the seat so you guy's can see and give me your thoughts. Thanks 

Hi Everybody, thanks for all who replied. 

Just an Update, 

Got a call from the Dealer today telling me my car is booked for the 19th March at the Dealership, they will keep the car for a few days so that some technicians can look at the seat, a Loan car will be given to me. 

Any thought's on this guy's, are they're likely to repair the seat?

[Boomer54]

3 hours ago, S Dhuper said:

Hi Everybody, thanks for all who replied. 

Just an Update, 

Got a call from the Dealer today telling me my car is booked for the 19th March at the Dealership, they will keep the car for a few days so that some technicians can look at the seat, a Loan car will be given to me. 

Any thought's on this guy's, are they're likely to repair the seat?

I think you are asking the right question ,but to the wrong people. Ask the dealership exactly what they are intending to do before they do it. As mentioned in an earlier post this won't be an inhouse job as it requires specialist skills and equipment. Obviously take pics of the seat and indeed the areas around the seat so that you can clearly show the condition it was in when you left it in their care. Just a precaution.

[S Dhuper]

4 hours ago, Boomer54 said:

I think you are asking the right question ,but to the wrong people. Ask the dealership exactly what they are intending to do before they do it. As mentioned in an earlier post this won't be an inhouse job as it requires specialist skills and equipment. Obviously take pics of the seat and indeed the areas around the seat so that you can clearly show the condition it was in when you left it in their care. Just a precaution.

He wasn't saying much, but closer to time I'll ask him again, I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures, they can do 1 of 2 things either replace the seat (which isn't happening) or repair it, if they are repairing it, it should be done by some specialist's. Thanks 

[cruisermark]

lets hope they aren't followig this thread and are just going to try "Pm4" suggestion above 😮

[SH20]

Sudershan

If I was in your shoes and before the car goes in on the 19th March I would find on the internet close to you a vehicle trimmer who does leather work on cars.  There are plenty of specialists who supply their services to the likes of main dealers and as previously mentioned the Lexus dealer wouldn't undertake any rework of the seat cover  themselves but use their favourite specialist and sub contract the job.  Even if the dealer gets approval for a warranty claim they will farm the job out and only remove the seat and get the specialist to collect it.  My guess the dealer will  look at your issue and either reject the fault under fair wear and tear or decide to get an opinion from their specialist who will price the job and then the dealer could submit a warranty claim to Lexus.  

The benefit of asking an independent trimmer a question  "How would they deal with the early stages of creasing in the material"  will be specific  and the specialist will be able to tell you what needs to be done to remove the creases.    Your Lexus dealer won't have the skill set to strip and rebuild the seat cushion, that's outside the remit of their Lexus technicians.    This is skilled work and expert knowledge of seat construction is needed and only trained trimmers who have been doing it for years will answer the question.   Ultimately this fault has to be overseen by the  dealer in order to honour any warranty issues going forward on any other matters that might arise with the seat.   If you chose to authorise a repair yourself the dealer could reject any future claims  you may have regarding this particular seat.      You are in London and I'll bet there are more trimmers serving the Motor Trade than you can shake a stick at.  A bit like good tailors who are everywhere. 

[SH20]

Forgot to ask but isn't the NX350h trimmed in Tahara  synthetic leather?  Shouldn't really make a difference in how to tackle the creases but it would be odd that the synthetic material has creased in this way.  It generally remains very smooth as I had a ES300h once.  

[S Dhuper]

6 hours ago, SH20 said:

Sudershan

If I was in your shoes and before the car goes in on the 19th March I would find on the internet close to you a vehicle trimmer who does leather work on cars.  There are plenty of specialists who supply their services to the likes of main dealers and as previously mentioned the Lexus dealer wouldn't undertake any rework of the seat cover  themselves but use their favourite specialist and sub contract the job.  Even if the dealer gets approval for a warranty claim they will farm the job out and only remove the seat and get the specialist to collect it.  My guess the dealer will  look at your issue and either reject the fault under fair wear and tear or decide to get an opinion from their specialist who will price the job and then the dealer could submit a warranty claim to Lexus.  

The benefit of asking an independent trimmer a question  "How would they deal with the early stages of creasing in the material"  will be specific  and the specialist will be able to tell you what needs to be done to remove the creases.    Your Lexus dealer won't have the skill set to strip and rebuild the seat cushion, that's outside the remit of their Lexus technicians.    This is skilled work and expert knowledge of seat construction is needed and only trained trimmers who have been doing it for years will answer the question.   Ultimately this fault has to be overseen by the  dealer in order to honour any warranty issues going forward on any other matters that might arise with the seat.   If you chose to authorise a repair yourself the dealer could reject any future claims  you may have regarding this particular seat.      You are in London and I'll bet there are more trimmers serving the Motor Trade than you can shake a stick at.  A bit like good tailors who are everywhere. 

Wow you know your stuff, I really can't imagine them rejecting this under wear and tear, I've only done 1200 miles!!! I always thought Lexus customer service was top notch the best, so I'm hoping they fix my seat 

[S Dhuper]

6 hours ago, SH20 said:

Forgot to ask but isn't the NX350h trimmed in Tahara  synthetic leather?  Shouldn't really make a difference in how to tackle the creases but it would be odd that the synthetic material has creased in this way.  It generally remains very smooth as I had a ES300h once.  

For the Takumi models like mine they come with Real soft Leather 

[S Dhuper]

Hi Good morning, 

I just dropped off my car and given a 23 Plate UX loan car (actually not bad) I was told by one of the agents they're going to (Steam The Leather Seat) that's the first thing they will do, that's all she said, they'll call me at the end of the day for an update, also we'll keep the car definitely for 2 day's but it could be 3 day's. 

[Pm4]

On 3/19/2024 at 10:21 AM, S Dhuper said:

Hi Good morning, 

I just dropped off my car and given a 23 Plate UX loan car (actually not bad) I was told by one of the agents they're going to (Steam The Leather Seat) that's the first thing they will do, that's all she said, they'll call me at the end of the day for an update, also we'll keep the car definitely for 2 day's but it could be 3 day's. 

Any comments on the results after the steam treatment? 

[Boomer54]

1 hour ago, Pm4 said:

Any comments on the results after the steam treatment? 

Definitely interested on how the heat treatment worked.