OEM Leather vs Aftermarket

Constantly find that when my OEM "leather" seats get wet, they stain white. I have to rub the heck out of them with conditioner or water (go figure) to get the stain off. Anyone else seen this issue in OEM leather? Not exactly ideal since I mtb and moto a ton. I'm always sweaty since I live in NC and I usually don't shy away from riding when there's a chance of shower.

Curious if aftermarket leather is actually better quality? I've seen pics of Clazzio and others but not in person. For the price I paid for this premium package, not only would I expect more, but in my next vehicle (possibly a 4 Runner) I'm curious if I should ditch the premium OEM and install my own. Tons of experience building cars so not a real concern with me, just curious on quality.

 

I personally like Clazzio better. I’ve compared it to OEM and frankly the Clazzio seems better quality. Thicker and more supple. Of course your not going to get it to fit as well as OEM so there is that to consider, but if you take your time you can get it to look pretty damn good.

 

I have no issue's with my seats, though I always cover the seat bottom. Just from experience of how the seat bottom wear out over time. I did have the dealer spray some type of preserver on the seats.

 

Yea this last happened when I caught on the mtb in a downpour. I had towels in the truck so I dried off as best as I could and put a towel under me. Obviously there was some bleed through but this is the reason I got leather.....so that I wouldn't have to worry about stains, getting wet, etc. Just disappointing honestly.

Pretty familiar with building cars, although interior isn't one of my specialties. I have some interior specialists who could help me for cheap or free so not really worried about the fit quite as much. Seems like the quality ain't what it used to be.

 

Any idea if 4 Runners use the same leather? Hoping to check one out today when I take the truck back to the dealer but haven't had the chance yet. The last Tundra I saw had much better quality so I imagine it's a little different.

 

I’m sorry but I couldn’t say on the 4runners The leather I’ve seen in the Tacoma’s hasn’t impressed me much either though. The tundra’s does seem to be better for whatever reason.

 

When I bought my truck they offered a local upholsterer that recovered all the seats. It is still holding up after 12 years.

 

If you're constantly getting in sweaty, the stain is from salt, rather than water and will stain anything you put in there. This also, of couse, explains why you can clean up the 'water' stain with water.

Edit to note: I use Wet Okole's, but they're not going to solve the salt discoloration problem. Excellent protection for the factory leather, however.

 

The staining almost looks like sunscreen. Hard to tell from photo.

 

Yea unfortunately not the case. Rear seats do the same with simply a damp towel.

 

I am constantly battling sunscreen stains on my black leather seats. Huge pain in the ass....

 

Yea...not salt, not sunscreen. Salt would crystallize on leather, unlike fabric where it would absorb and stain. Unsure why I can wipe it off with water, but I usually use leather conditioner. Regardless it's not a simple "wipe-off", more of an intense scrub. Sunscreen I use about twice a year if I'm at the beach. Not necessary when all my outdoor activities involve full gear and a helmet.

 

Try to “wipe off” the leather conditioner, and see if it does it again. It could be from the conditioner or you’ve used too much.

 

This happened direct OEM. So unless it's factory conditioner that's probably not applicable. The first few times it got wet directly from the dealer it did the same thing. Continues to do it regardless of treatment (ie water or conditioner)

 

I actually had this happen just yesterday. I was cleaning/conditioning the leather and later on I went back to get something out of the truck and saw what looks like stains all over the trim pieces from the overspray.

 

I think the Clazzios fit great and are more comfortable as the factory Tacoma's seats are more confirmed fitting as the Clazzios seem to be a little less restricted as I'm 6"0 250. It also appears the Clazzios are just ticker. Mine fit like a glove. It's hard to tell they are not factory, plus no outrageous cost and no need to get the factory leather when Toyota leather has never been very good over the years.

 

My last truck was a Ford F-250 the dealer has leather seats installed for me. They seemed to hod up pretty well.

 

So this happened this weekend. No more underwhelming leather, drivetrain/brake vibration, fall-on-your face powertrain and useless 6spd.

As a follow-up to the original post. Rode the mtb about 10 miles Saturday, again got caught in weather. Leather got wet in the 4Runner and not a stain in site.

 

I would recommend that you get a slip on seat cover for when you are wet or dirty. Getting any seat wet on a regular basis can't be good for it.

I keep one of these in my truck and use it as needed:

ARIES 3142-01 Seat Defender 58" x 23" Grey Waterproof Universal Bucket Car Seat Cover Protector

https://www.amazon.com/Aries-3142-01-Universal-Bucket-Cover/dp/B009M0S4Z2/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgqaolb6g5AIVT1uGCh06dgFGEAAYASAAEgLp6PD_BwE&hvadid=153671919783&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003017&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8391237035986095068&hvtargid=aud-649564993678%3Akwd-4835115200&hydadcr=6809_9192198&keywords=aries+seat+cover&qid=1566820766&s=gateway&sr=8-1

 

I don't routinely hop into my car dripping, just so happens these last few weeks I've gotten caught. I at least put a towel down regardless. Previous vehicles have had leather/vinyl and never a worry. That is the purpose of vinyl....to be more robust than cloth, stain resistant, smell resistant, easier to clean. Why cover up my nice new leather with a cheap cover that just ends up throwing dirt back into the floor anyway. I don't work at a construction site, I just like playing outside.