Oatmeal affliction

[Si_130/5]

My poor S130 has a problem which I imagine many cars might share. The oatmeal cloth on the top of the rear seat back which overlaps the back shelf is looking rather ill. A knowledgeable Elan friend (who lives in a forest) has told me it is caused by polymer breakdown due to ultra-violet exposure followed by a previous owner scrubbing with a brutal cleaning agent.
Three courses of action present themselves and I'd be grateful for any recommendations or experiences;

i) Colour the affected patches with a matched vinyl paint - is there such a product out there?

ii) Look for a good condition replacement - my favourite but not so easy to find - does anyone have a surplus oatmeal rear seat back they'd like to sell?

iii) Find the material and get that bit reupholstered - nice idea as it preserves the rest of the seat which obviously matches the int perfectly but will it look original - any good experiences with reupholstered oatmeal interiors?

Thanks in advance for your comments and help, photos herewith;

Si

[1964 S1]

It doesn't look too bad. If the vinyl is still soft, it can be dyed. There are interior specialists here in the states that travel to car dealers repairing all sorts of interior defects. They'd be who I'd take my car to.
Shoe shops also can dye to match but I'd be careful, some leather dyes can melt "plastics."

[Robbie693]

Hi Si,

You could try a colour dye like this:

http://www.liquidleather.com/scuffs.htm

I've no experience with these kind of products though.

Chris Neals list a seat trim kit in oatmeal, so I guess the fabric is available. However their website doesn't say if it includes the rear seats..

Alternatively oatmeal interior bits occasionally show up on ebay, the rear seats don't get much use so are generally in good condition.

Cheers

Robbie[/url]

[elanmac]

Hi Si
Woolies (woolies-trim.co.uk) do a vinyl restoration paint in basic colours off the shelf or colour matching to order. Not cheap for colour matched paint as min. order is 4 cans.

Elanmac

[elanmac]

Hi Si
Woolies (woolies-trim.co.uk) do a vinyl restoration paint in basic colours off the shelf or colour matching to order. Not cheap for colour matched paint as min. order is 4 cans.

Elanmac

[Emma-Knight]

It doesn't look so bad as is. (wish my car has its original stuff on...even with small imperfections) Last week I visited Autostadt in Wolfsburg and had a look at those cars at the "Time House": There was a Bentley R-Type Continental in very original condition - leather with cracks and faded colour, old original wood - not perfect - chrome polished through down to nickel and even copper. This car was much more beautiful than all nut and bolt restorations around. All these parts were history, telling about it's life.
If its not cracked and springs coming out of it...

Of course You could look for a good original as a spare in case You want to change. Use of colour is a big risk and could dissolve the vinyl (it did on my car...DPO ). Repalacement is only good when original type.

My opinion so far...

Anna

[richardcox_lotus]

Si,

Rear Set backs in oatmeal on ebay NOW

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOTUS-ELAN-2-REAR ... 0068115999

[Si_130/5]

Thanks Richard,

I've now seen close-ups of that item and it appears to have the same disease as mine albeit not scrubbed through to the white. If anyone has a good spare rear seat back in oatmeal please send me pic. I'd be pleased to hear from you.

I understand and share your feelings about patination and originality Anna but my photos don't show how stark the colour difference really is. I'm all for original wear in the course of usage but in this case I'd be preserving the fact my back seat was attacked by an artless scoundrel with loo bleach when he should have left the seat alone.

I may first try to subtly recolour the patches as I've little to lose there so thanks 1964 S1, Elan Mac and Robbie for your advice too.

More pics of the car - the fixing holes for the championship badge were filled - would anyone recommend redrilling or is double-sided tape better?

Very best wishes and thanks,

Si

[mcclelland]

Hi SI, dont know if this will help, but I hope so. I have just seen a rear seat assembly in oatmeal for sale on Ebay, it looks to be in good condition. The sale ends 21/01 at 19.58 hrs. Regards George...

[Hamish Coutts]

Si,

The championship badge - no hesitation in saying re drill and blot on. Double sided tape is dead easy to use to mount the badge. Unfortunately, it is just as easy for some prat to remove the badge with a screwdriver or penknife.

Nice pics of your car. It looks in mighty nice nick. What are the tyres you are running on?

Hamish.

[Si_130/5]

Thanks George I was watching those but since I received the close-up pictures they look less exciting.
Thanks for the kind words Hamish but as we all know car photos can be very flattering. I'm using Dunlop SP10 165/80R13 tyres.
Are there plastic plugs which the championship badge studs plug into?

Si

[Emma-Knight]

As I had a look at my cars hidden interior, I think the holes are just big enough for the metal studs of the badge. I would fit the plastic caps from inside - when fitted from outside, the holes in the bodyshell would be quite big. The original holes showed from inside and could be reactivated. Maybe a bit of wax around the studs to keep water off.

Anna

[Si_130/5]

That sounds sensible. Thanks for looking Anna, it's very kind of you.


Only two months until Donington and so much to do.

Thanks for your help everyone,

Si