DE88CONV

I'm a new owner of an 88 vert and love the car. I've done some modest refurbishing and it's looking pretty good, but I have a few questions:

1st --The top is almost new, and in great shape. I want to keep it that way! Owner's manual says: "For best results, use a water-based leather treatment or vinyl top dressing" OK -- any recommended products? How about products to avoid?

2nd -- My driver's seat (with speakers that still work) has bad leather. I've followed a couple threads re replacement leather, seat covers, etc. I've also posted re finding used seats in good shape, but (no surprise) there's nothing out there. Anyway, I'm leaning toward saving a few bucks and going with seat covers. Has anybody dealt with Custom Seat Covers (www.custom-seatcovers.com)? How about "Global Accessories" (http://www.global-accessories.com) (used to be "Saddleman")? Both offer "tailored" seatcovers which might look a bit more OEM than the Wet Okoles which people have said good things about.

Look forward to some feedback!

Thanks

Icemark

For the top I have been using the Lexol vinylex with great results. I have used it for years for Porsche targa tops, and it seems to work well for my 'vert top as well.


http://www.performanceproducts.com/P...roducttype=10.

I also just recently ordered the Zymol Vinyl Care, but I can't say if that is any better. The big key is to use something that is free of solvents or formaldehydes to avoid drying out your material.

Remember always put a nice coat of protectant on the top everytime you wash the car to help prevent the dreaded rip behind the door that our cars are prone too.

As far as your seat, you may wish to take it too a local automotive upholstry shop and see if they can fix it for you. It may be cheaper than replacement skins, and a better fit than most seat covers.

Raymr

My seats are pretty shot and I'm looking at Wet Okoles too. I think they might look cheap tho. Unfortunately the next step up, repairing or replacing the skins, is pretty big. Having them custom redone at a local shop in good vinyl might be a reasonable compromise.

Samps

I got a set of Wet Okole seat covers for my vert last week. They are all black with no logos. I paid 240 for them and am willing to sell them shipped for 150. They fit good with a little sagging inside the buckets but that should be expected. They actually fit better than I thought they would. The reason I want to sell them is I am apparently too tall (6'2") to have these seat covers on the seat and a helmet on my head at the same time. The padding on the "butt" portion of the seat is thick enough that it soaks up that last little bit of headroom I had to fit my helmet. If no one wants them I guess I will just remove the "butt" section whenever I need to wear the helmet. Or maybe that part will wear away after a while? There is no damage done to my covers and they have only been sat in for approx 3 hours, and that was only the drivers seat. The headrest speakers are dimmed a little by the covers also, but not much. The headrest section is not perforated. I'll throw in the actual seats too for $400 plus shipping, total.

skyypilot

Let me know if you have any success with the seats. The lowest estimate I got for my S5 'vert seats is $1500 to re-upholster!!!

DE88CONV

Another option is to buy the upholstry and do it yourself. That would be about $700 -- I don't think I want to go that route, but maybe others do. There are a few folks out there who will do leather. Here's a nice looking set in leatherette/cloth: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33701

apexhittinbull

iTrader: (21)

i already have that rip behind the doors, if it rains , water will seat there for a while. Safe to car wash this?

nashman69g

iTrader: (3)

try here for some seat covers...
http://www.mazdaformance.com/rx7.htm

Rotary Dawg

I have a OEM "skin" for the vert seat (only the "back" part though) in good condition - no rips, soft leather and no cracks. I can sell it to you if you want it...

Rotary Dawg

Wow - what kinda **** did you remove from your car?

DE88CONV

Couple notes:

Rotary Dawg -- I PM'd you

nashman69G -- I've tried mazdaformace before -- I think the well has run dry but I e-mailed them again in case something came in

gotorx7

I'd be very interested in hearing this, too!!

RX7_ZRO

Just my $.02

I use the armor-all protectant wipes....usually takes me about 10 (wipes, not bottles) of them to do the job right, but they're what I use on my top...and anytime I get done, damn does it look pretty

pmr2000

I think you hit the nail on the head with the topic-2 weak spots of our verts. I've just been using Armorall original on the top and have been deliberating on the seat issue. Mine are split on the outside bolster on each side, hate to put a cover over them but don't want to spend $1000 recovering.

Let us know what you decide.

By the way my '88 is listed at 3003 pounds so 2988 is not hard to believe.

Icemark

actually the non "P" package 88 'verts were about 2960 lb from the factory.

With the "P" package (key lights, leather, tilt steering, CD, head rest speakers, cruise) they jumped up to around 3003 lb.


And from personal experience with Armor ALL I can not recommend it for the roof. Because of solvents in the formula, it tends to dry out plastics while putting that shine on.

jcina7

i would never use armorall on anything. use a leather conditioner that resmebles some sort of conditioner youd put in your hair that has to be rubbed in by hand. tanner's select used to be the best but i cant find it anymore. armorall amplifies the heat and collects dust. not for my car

http://www.geocities.com/b_timberlake/90RX7.html