Recaro Leather Cracking
 

Hey all,

What is the ideal way to keep these seats in top condition? The Recaro seats in my 2017 Nismo are starting to look worn / cracked.

Currently I just give them a regular wipe with a anti bacterial fabric wipe.
Any other tricks out there to get these looking like new?

Thanks!

I like Meguiar's leather cleaner and conditioner.

That's probably your main issue right there. Your anti bacterial fabric wipe probably has alcohol or some sort of drying agent in there which sucks the moisture out of the seats. Here's what I do. Best of luck.

1. Avoid sitting/putting pressure on the bolsters. Create a process for getting in and out.
2. Use a gentle soap and water mix in a spray bottle. I suggest castile soap. Apply the solution to the seats and wipe off dry to clean the surface.
3. Buy a good quality leather conditioner and manually apply with a polishing pad. Just follow the directions on whatever you're using. I use Lexol.

I think these recaros are particularly known for, not necessarily cracking, but wearing. Mine have some creases in them, but I maintain them with cleaning/polishing. It's just a characteristic of leather. So long as you continue to use the seats they will never look the same as the day you bought them. Just take care of them and they will last :)

It helps that I put the seat all of the way back before I get out. Of course, I didn't figure that out til damage was done.

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Recaro Leather Cracking
 

I’ve found that Autoglym leather balm is the best product out there for leather seat protection and cleaning. You should never use antibacterial wipes on any leather product.

https://www.autoglym.com/leather-cleaner-balm

PS: I would try taking it into the dealer for a warranty claim if your seat leather is cracking. Not normal for a ‘17.

pics?

:iagree:

But don't mention anything about the wipes you used or they will use that to deny your warranty claim.

I'm a fan of Zymol's leather products. I used them with 20 year old cars and the interiors stayed in great shape.

:iagree: However, just as stated before, Never use anything with alcohol!!! To clean use a mild soap & water and wipe clean and dry with clean cloth. Then use a conditioner on the leather part ONLY!! The Alcantara areas have to be cleaned a much different way.

Hey, sorry I should be more precise with my wording. The wipes im using are not anti bacterial wipes. They are specifically for leather and suede for cars. (They just look like antibacterial wipes lol)

Hmm, shame the seats do not have an electric memory function. Would be a pain to have to adjust the seats every time.

Just to be clear, the wipes are specifically for car leather and suede. They are not anti bacterial, just my terrible description of them.
I have posted some pics below of the seat.

See the below post.

Hey, sorry I should be more precise with my wording. The wipes im using are not anti bacterial wipes. They are specifically for leather and suede for cars. (They just look like antibacterial wipes lol). Also can this kind of thing even go against a warranty claim, would they not just say its wear and tear?

Its not an anti bacterial wipe, its a leather and suede wipe, it just looks like an anti bacterial wipe. I use these to clean the seats.

Pictures below of the driver side seat:

For reference the car is a 2017 Nismo. I have had this car for approx 2 months. I usually wear joggers and never jeans with buttons or zips on the back that can catch. And I always go out of my way to fall in to the seats rather than slide over the bolsters. Same with the way out but that can be difficult sometimes.

Looking at the images below, it also seems like the top level of leather appears to be peeling off? Is this normal wear guys. Are these seats really that delicate.

https://i.imgur.com/BZEEjOR.jpg
https://imgur.com/cISb3Sh.jpg

You say you bought the car 2 months ago? How was the leather wear at the time of purchase?

Even used it should still be under warranty. That side bolster wear definitely looks abnormal to me. I would absolutely take it to a dealer.

Recaro Leather Cracking
 

When you said “cracking”, I thought you meant actual tearing and/or breaking of the upper layer of the leather. What I see from your pics is normal wrinkling that happens with most leather seats. Mine also show some wrinkling to a lesser degree.

Actually, I’ve had wrinkling happen with all my past cars with leather interiors. My Corvette was the absolute worst.


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I agree the type of wear looks normal. But what seems abnormal to me is the amount of wear for the age of the vehicle. Leather shouldn't crack that much that quickly. I know of a number of Zs with touring seats that haven't cracked like that in 5 years with a lot more miles.