Interior Leather damage by water fix ideas

[SergeyIndy]

I am still only on my 4th overall drive of the Taycan around town and dealing with damages during transport and now what appears to be damage by the PPF shop when they were tinting the windows and possibly let the water stand on the upper door leather or does it look like the window was partly open during transport and the rain got in and ruined it. I took it to them now for the 3rd time but wonder if anyone else had the same and if it can be repaired using some leather conditioners, or it just has to be replaced.

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[Teufel Hund]

Oh man…… sorry to hear about that. Sorry, no expert on leather conditioning but hopefully someone on here can provide some info. Good luck!

 

[Moonstone]

That looks like water has gotten into the stitch seem and behind the leather.

 

[SergeyIndy]

That looks like water has gotten into the stitch seem and behind the leather.

That makes sense and consistent with the pattern. So the tinting process had standing water there, then instead of absorbing they were probably thinking they are wiping it, but actually forcing the water inside the stitch openings and flooded the leather from the inside and destroyed it. This window was tinted and then retinted so would be consistent with that and eliminates the possibility for me of damage by water during transport as it would be standing water and this leather appears to be resilient enough to take it. Plus, no damage anywhere else down the door or any other door.

Lesson here that may be helpful, if you take it for tinting, instruct the shop to cover the area to protect from water and take this picture with you.

 

[Moonstone]

That makes sense and consistent with the pattern. So the tinting process had standing water there, then instead of absorbing they were probably thinking they are wiping it, but actually forcing the water inside the stitch openings and flooded the leather from the inside and destroyed it. This window was tinted and then retinted so would be consistent with that and eliminates the possibility for me of damage by water during transport as it would be standing water and this leather appears to be resilient enough to take it. Plus, no damage anywhere else down the door or any other door.

Lesson here that may be helpful, if you take it for tinting, instruct the shop to cover the area to protect from water and take this picture with you.

Surely they are liable for the cost of a new door card?

 

[SergeyIndy]

Currently it is at the shop for the 3rd visit with my pickup tomorrow. I reported it right away after I picked it up after the 2nd visit when they retinted that window since it had big bubbles in it. So far, I do not know what is going to happen, and if they accept responsibility, but I absolutely plan to hold them accountable for it. I will report back on the outcome.

 

[Nalayak]

I am still only on my 4th overall drive of the Taycan around town and dealing with damages during transport and now what appears to be damage by the PPF shop when they were tinting the windows and possibly let the water stand on the upper door leather or does it look like the window was partly open during transport and the rain got in and ruined it. I took it to them now for the 3rd time but wonder if anyone else had the same and if it can be repaired using some leather conditioners, or it just has to be replaced.

Ohh my.. So sorry this happened. Im no expert on leather but I did also have a similar experience on my seats when I accidentally left the back passenger door slightly open. Had a similar hard water line on the seat. After some extensive research and few products I was able to get ride of it not quite all the way but as long as you take out the hard minerals from the water that's soaked in, you wont be able to see it. Here is what I did that worked.

Give it a nice clean with a leather cleaner. I personally used Lexol leather cleaner but I know there few others that are better out there like leather honey.
Once the area is cleaned, the 2nd clean i did was by putting leather cleaner on a nice thick microfiber cloth (thick, thats able to absorb water really well) with a bit of distilled water to make the microfiber cloth damp but not soaked. Now in a circular pattern dab an soak the leather with the cloth. this will allow the cleaner and distilled water to penetrate into the leather. Next take a dry microfiber and slight applying pressure over the treated area to extract the moisture. This will help remove the hard minerals thats causing the line you see.Keep repeating this for small sections. Little bit of cleaner and little bit of distilled water at a time. Its tedious but hey it worked for me. Let it all dry for about few hours and see if the area has improved. Keep in mind don't do this work in direct sunlight.

After that I applied a leather conditioner which helps put back the oils the leather needs.
Now at first I used The Lexol leather condition which is water based and really dint do much. I ended up purchasing the Porsche Leather Conditioner which is oil based and just a drop or two of this goes a long way! give it about 15-20 mins to penetrated and wipe away any excess conditioner. Follow the directions it how to apply and I really hope this helps.

Also after that I ceramic coated the seats using Gyeon Leather Shield. This stuff is very sensitive so work in small sections and follow the directions it comes with.

 

[SergeyIndy]

Ohh my.. So sorry this happened. Im no expert on leather but I did also have a similar experience on my seats when I accidentally left the back passenger door slightly open. Had a similar hard water line on the seat. After some extensive research and few products I was able to get ride of it not quite all the way but as long as you take out the hard minerals from the water that's soaked in, you wont be able to see it. Here is what I did that worked.

Give it a nice clean with a leather cleaner. I personally used Lexol leather cleaner but I know there few others that are better out there like leather honey.
Once the area is cleaned, the 2nd clean i did was by putting leather cleaner on a nice thick microfiber cloth (thick, thats able to absorb water really well) with a bit of distilled water to make the microfiber cloth damp but not soaked. Now in a circular pattern dab an soak the leather with the cloth. this will allow the cleaner and distilled water to penetrate into the leather. Next take a dry microfiber and slight applying pressure over the treated area to extract the moisture. This will help remove the hard minerals thats causing the line you see.Keep repeating this for small sections. Little bit of cleaner and little bit of distilled water at a time. Its tedious but hey it worked for me. Let it all dry for about few hours and see if the area has improved. Keep in mind don't do this work in direct sunlight.

After that I applied a leather conditioner which helps put back the oils the leather needs.
Now at first I used The Lexol leather condition which is water based and really dint do much. I ended up purchasing the Porsche Leather Conditioner which is oil based and just a drop or two of this goes a long way! give it about 15-20 mins to penetrated and wipe away any excess conditioner. Follow the directions it how to apply and I really hope this helps.

Also after that I ceramic coated the seats using Gyeon Leather Shield. This stuff is very sensitive so work in small sections and follow the directions it comes with.

That is really helpful instructional advice, and I will sure try that before getting full replacement.
I did see instructions on how to clean perforated seats, for example, and the operating principle for stains (not leather damage like mine), is light distilled water application that allows for minerals/dirt/oils to be absorbed into it, and then wipe off.

 

[AllanG]

Personally, I wouldn’t try any sort of remedial treatment myself, as I think this may lead to the film applier claiming the damage was caused by you. IMHO, they caused the damage, so I would definitely be looking to them replacing the complete panel at their expense.

 

[SergeyIndy]

Personally, I wouldn’t try any sort of remedial treatment myself, as I think this may lead to the film applier claiming the damage was caused by you. IMHO, they caused the damage, so I would definitely be looking to them replacing the complete panel at their expense.

They have it now with my pickup later today. They can try to use leather cleaners to fix it and if not, I totally plan to hold them accountable for full replacement. I am quoting now full replacement cost through my dealer and my trusted body shop and see what's that going to cost and share with everyone. I am sure I will not be the only one dealing with water damage to the top door areas.

 

[AllanG]

^^^^ ?? hope you get a satisfactory outcome ??

 

[STLLTH]

I am still only on my 4th overall drive of the Taycan around town and dealing with damages during transport and now what appears to be damage by the PPF shop when they were tinting the windows and possibly let the water stand on the upper door leather or does it look like the window was partly open during transport and the rain got in and ruined it. I took it to them now for the 3rd time but wonder if anyone else had the same and if it can be repaired using some leather conditioners, or it just has to be replaced.

Aloha,

If its under the leather as it appears and if the tinting company can't/won't fix it, try using something like the McCulloch steamer/cleaner ( Amazon.com - McCulloch MC1375 Canister Steam Cleaner with 20 Accessories, Extra-Long Power Cord, Chemical-Free Cleaning for Most Floors, Counters, Appliances, Windows, Autos, and More, 1-(Pack), Black - Carpet Steam Cleaners) with a microfiber towel over the nozzle to limit condensation and provide an even spreading of the heat/steam to maybe get the wavy pattern out. Then use B&S Interior cleaner with a soft interior brush to lift the staining out then wipe with a clean microfiber towel. That will get the dirt out of the leather pore and give a natural matte look like it came from the factory.

 

[SergeyIndy]

^^^^ ?? hope you get a satisfactory outcome ??

Picked up the Taycan. The GM took full responsibility for letting a wet towel sit too long during tinting process, that allowed the moisture to get into the stitching and damaging the leather from inside. After consulting with their top Porsche interior expert, they said to just let the car heat up on the inside, by sitting outside with a 50/50 chance it will dry out as the only thing to try and not apply any steam, cleaners, and no water of any kind. Regardless, they will cover full replacement, which I am quoting as I cannot see this drying out. However, since I am guaranteed the replacement, then I will try the heat and dry first, and then use some of the steps suggested, because if nothing works, then I will just replace it with new door card, which is an interesting terminology for it. Thank you for all the helpful tips and methods to try and take care of it to save for replacement.

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