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Porsche 993: How to Remove Wrinkles from Leather Seats

If you're noticing wrinkles in your 993's seats, it's best to take action as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Learn how to repair your seats here.

By Kate Halse - April 2, 2015
Contributors: TOGWT

This article applies to the Porsche 993 (1993-1998).

Moisture is one of the main components in keeping wrinkles at bay. Routinely conditioning your vehicle's leather seats is ideal for preventing wrinkles and cracks, but you'll need to invest a bit more time and effort if your seats are already wrinkled and in need of repair. The following methods are generally quite simple and can ultimately save a lot of money.

Materials Needed

  • Clean cloth, preferably cotton
  • Leather cleaner and conditioner of choice (Leatherique)
  • Hair dryer or heat gun
  • Steam cleaner (optional)

Step 1 – Place hot towels over wrinkles

One of the easiest and most effective ways to get rid of unsightly seat wrinkles is to place hot towels over the affected areas. Start by filling a bowl with water (any temperature) then add the towel(s) you wish to use. The towel should be large enough to fully cover the wrinkles. If not, you will have to use more than one towel.

Next, place the bowl in the microwave and microwave the towels until they're very hot. Carefully remove the bowl then wring the towels out afterwards. They should remain wet without dripping.

To effectively remove the wrinkles, put the steaming towels on the affected area. Remove the towels when they've cooled off. Depending on the extent and age of the wrinkles, you might need to repeat this step.

Figure 1. Hot towels can remove unsightly wrinkles.

Step 2 – Use a hair dryer to get rid of wrinkles

Before using a hair dryer on wrinkles, it's important to note that the high heat can cause cracks in the leather.

The first step is to wipe down the leather with mild soap and a cloth. If there's soap residue left over, rinse out the cloth and continue to wipe down the surface until it's clean.

Next, use the highest setting on the hair dryer and hold it roughly 8 to 10 inches away from the wrinkled surface. Move the dryer back and forth to promote even drying.

Figure 2. Use a hair dryer to eliminate wrinkles.

Step 3 – Steam clean the wrinkles

Most people will find that the first two methods effectively eliminate wrinkles. However, steam cleaning can also be effective for getting wrinkles out of your car's seats.

Start by getting the seats ready with a prepping agent such as Leatherique Prepping Agent. Next, run the steam cleaner over the wrinkles. In addition to removing wrinkles, the heat will open up the pores of the leather for subsequent conditioning and/or cleaning if you want to condition and soften your leather.

Figure 3. A steam cleaner can get rid of wrinkles and assist in restoring the seat's surface.

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