Replacing seats due to mildew :( help

[Pioneer]

Looking for help and comments on replacing seats -- either the leather, leather + foam, or whole seats (due to mold damage)

Details:

I have a 1998 NSX and unfortunately had a mold situation over the summer. The car had been closed up in the garage but due to some high humidity days, mildew spots appeared on seats and spread onto other leather/vinyl areas (the seats were hit worst).

I had a local body shop do a remediation. The used a biocide and removed/cleaned the carpets etc. The car looks clean now but there is a residual "sweatsock" type odor. After some sniffing, I believe the vast majority of the problem is in the seat leather, and possibly into the foam.

I want to replace the leather (seat cover) at a minimum, and probably the foam... I do not mind buying used seat components but would prefer OEM.

I will have a body shop do the installation -- as I am not trained in doing this. I am looking for suggestions in what I should look for & what is easiest and most cost effective (to do this correctly).

Questions:

Should I just get leather + foam and have those replaced?

Or should I buy a whole "seat"?

What comes with a "seat"? Do all mounting hardware, frames, electronics, and sliders come or is it just the foam/leather combo that mounts onto existing frames? I really don't need all of that stuff.

What would be most cost effective from an hourly labor rate? I'm guessing if I can buy a "seat" it would take less labor than replacing the leather?

Are there quality third party leather replacements out there? I saw one company on eBay selling a duplicate NSX leather seat but don't know the quality of it.

Thanks in advance!

-John

 

[GOTTSPD]

First, I'm sorry to hear of the problem. I've never heard of that happening before. Anyway, if you do a search on here, there's been a handful of group buys from a vendor that does replacement leather covers in any color or combo of color you can dream up. Mine were done by the prev. owner and they are beautiful. Highly recommend them!

 

[Ojas]

John,

If the foam needs to be replaced, it seems like buying a set of used seats would be the most cost-effective way to go. It's not uncommon to find used sets in good condition since some NSX owners replace the stock seats with aftermarket ones. You may also want to consider seats from 2000+ NSXs since the center area is perforated. You can post a Parts Wanted ad in the NSX Parts Wanted forum. Just make sure you go with the exact same color and you'll be set.

It's also very simple to swap: Four nuts and one electrical connector per seat. Almost anyone who's ever turned a wrench can do it.

Best of luck.

 

[Pioneer]

Thanks for the tip -- thats the exact info I was looking for.

Is there just one "black"? As long as I get OEM black will that work? Also does the year matter other than the perforated seats? My car currently doesn't have perforations, so I won't know what I'm missing

Also what kind of price range should I be looking at for used seats in decent condition?

Sounds like the labor if I had someone do it would be at most an 1-2 hours? Is it hard to get them off the tracks?

Also, when you say "full seat" is that just the foam and leather and that stuff slips onto some kind of frame or the tracks in the car? Just want to know what exactly I need to ask for if I want the leather + foam.

Thanks!

-John

 

[Osiris_x11]

clear-choice...

These are viable options for you w/o being overly complicated...

A. Replace the entire seats w/ used ones from "For Sale" forum. Costs for a "decent" pair can range from $500-$1500 depending on age/condition. Labor involved to remove/reinstall a seat will be 5min-15min per seat, depending on how handy you are w/ a socket-wrench. There are many DIY instructions available on 'Prime.

Seat parts for sale (Foam):
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77400&highlight=seat

Pair of OEM seats for sale:
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76420&highlight=seat


B. Replace the entire seat covering from www.leatherseats.com. Cost for the covering which is leather/vinyl is $500-$650 per pair... depending on 2-tone, perforation, ultra-suede inserts, etc. Installation by a professional will vary, but anticipate a few hundred dollars. The installer can replace some of the foam pieces inside the seat, for additional cost. You'll be hard-pressed to simply find OEM seat covering and OEM foam pieces used from the "For Sale" forum.


What would I do?

I'd buy a pair of used OEM seats from "For Sale" forum and swap them w/ my current seats.

 

[Hugh]

Feed DocL a case of Old El Paso beans and have him spend the night in your car. The resulting flatulence will most definitely obliterate those last remaining pesky mildew spores. Just have some Febreeze handy to use upon Doc's exit. :smile: