Expert: Rob Painter - 12/12/2010

Question
I picked up a 1991 Eldorado with very low mileage that had been sitting in a condo parking garage on Ft Lauderdale Beach for many years. The paint is in excellent condition but the canvas/cabriolet top is faded. I've been searching for some DIY products I can use to restore the dark brown color to the top.  Any suggestions?  Also I want to restore the Camel Tan leather steering wheel.

Answer
Hello,

I can only go by personal experience dealing with the heat and sun of Texas.

Do not use Armourall! That is what some would suggest. There are about 4 makers of leather conditioner and they are all good. I use McGuire’s and one I can't think of the name, but comes in a bright orange bottle.

The seats in my Suburban were dry and cracking. I applied conditioner. One coat did not do it, they were still dry. I applied a heavy coat and let sit over night. I applied one more coat in the morning and the seats turned out very soft and pliable. They shined and looked like new.

It’s been about a year since I did this and they still are like new. The cracking was no longer present after I applied the third coat on my applications a year ago.

The same results were on my wife's Navigator.

My pontoon had been in the Wisconsin summer sun and the Texas sun. They are vinyl. I applied to the red faded seats. No more fade, soft and rich red.

Leather conditioner will work great on your top and seats, but I would not apply on steering wheel because it will be too slippery. This will happen with anything you want to apply. I don't know what can be used safely on the steering wheel.

I cannot say enough good about the use of leather conditioner. I have had great results!

You can find these products at auto zone by the wax and car was for less than 10 bucks for a bottle. The bottle is more than enough of what you will need.

If it works against the Texas heat and sun, it will definitely work for a Florida vehicle. We have the same heat and humidity that Florida has in the summer. You say that the car was in a garage for the last 6 years, but what about the other 12 years?

Try it; you will be very happy with the results! I am a perfectionist. Rarely am I satisfied with anything. I was amazed what leather conditioner does.

Try it and get back to me.

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