How do you rehydrate interior pieces?

[jeryst]

I saw on another thread about someone "rehydrating" interior upholstery on a car that was in long-time storage, so that the upholstery didnt cradk when someone sat on it. So I was just curious on how this is done, and when it should be done.

[sweetolbob]

If you're talking about vinyl upholstery, The reason for the hardening is loss of the Phthalate plasticizers. I don't know what is available on the store shelves but I would check restoration products for plasticizer content. For cloth it's generally deteriation of the fiber and I can't think of a way to restore this deteriation.

[54-61-62]

on vinyl I've heard the down and dirty method to rehydrate it is use furnature polish lemon oil. Used car detailer told me that. Never tried it though.

[showbizkid]

Whatever you do, don't use Armor All. It causes a chemical change in some vinyl formulations that actually causes it to dry out faster and crack more.


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard

http://studeblogger.blogspot.com

https://www.studebakersandiego.com

[sals54]

I have had some luck with lanolin based hand cleaner. GoJo or some of the other mechanic hand cleaners. I was told that the lanolin is the reason it works. Try some on a small area, perhaps on the back of the seat and see it does work for you.

sals54

[jeryst]

The reference to "rehydrating" an interior was made by turbostude, in this topic: Craigslist 7,000 mile Avanti
back around page 6 of the general discussion section.

I was just curious as to what it means, as it may come in handy at some time.

[studegary]

You can rejuvenate some interior materials, but the only one that it makes sense to "rehydrate" is leather. Vinyls need a replacement of their plasticizers. Leather should get regular treatment of specific leather conditioners/"food". To rehydrate means to replace water (H2O). Rejuvenate would have been a more appropriate term to use.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[sals54]

Good point Gary. Otherwise, we could just soak the interior in the swimming pool for a couple of days.

sals54

[BobGlasscock]

quote:Originally posted by sals54

Good point Gary. Otherwise, we could just soak the interior in the swimming pool for a couple of days.

sals54

Not a good idea. If the pH is low, it will fade the colors. And the chlorine will dry it out when the water evaporates.

'50 Champion, 1 family owner

[jlmccuan]

You know, a smart guy might have asked what was used before buying that car, but personally knowing that yahoo, I'll bet he didn't even think of it. But, I do have the PO's email and will ask.

Jim

_________1966 Avanti II RQA 0088______________Rabid Snail Racing

[jlmccuan]

Okay, here's the official reply. "Used the Mequires vinyl renew product."

Jim

_________1966 Avanti II RQA 0088______________Rabid Snail Racing

[3rdGenStude]

quote:Originally posted by studegary

You can rejuvenate some interior materials, but the only one that it makes sense to "rehydrate" is leather.

Mink oil. I think sometimes leather can just be too far gone for anything to work. . . like the seats in my Speedster. But I used A LOT of mink oil on a 97 T-Bird I bought used, and it brought the leather seats back very well.

Paul

In memory of Boris, the 1950 Land Cruiser project,
. . . he became a down payment for. . .
Natasha, the 1955 Speedster project

[studegary]

Just today I used the Meguires leather treatment (not vinyl treatment) on the seats of our two everyday cars. I do this once per year. If you live in the South or you don't garage your car I think that you should treat the leather more often. I think thst the Maguires' leather product is good. If someone wants an exact name, ask and I will go down three levels and get the bottle. The main thing is to not use something that says that you can also use it on vinyl, on your leather. The Maguires leather treatment looks like a white cold cream that you work into the leather.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer