Is this a leather defect?

Nick in Sydney · Dec 15, 2023

The leather trim along the top of my driver's door (second photo) is very even and consistent and wouldn't look out a place in a Porsche.

But the trim on my passenger door is much more grainy and "textured" and has at least two visible circular areas where it looks like the grain has been corrected or perhaps there was scarring on the hide.

What do you think? Is this just acceptable normal variation that should be expected in natural hide or did I get a piece of leather from the defects bin?

Callabrator · Dec 15, 2023

Hmm, that does look odd. I’d ask um about it and see what they say. It does look like it had some sort of work done on it

Nick in Sydney · Dec 15, 2023

Here's another photo of my passenger door trim. Hopefully you can see the very high amount of grain and the circular areas along the bottom edge.

Does everyone else have "perfect leather trim" or does anyone else have these kind of variations?

John777 · Dec 16, 2023

Leather Isn't gonna be 100% uniform.
my guess

kennyn · Dec 16, 2023

It's not great, but it's also not the worst I've seen. Take it up with your agent and try for a warranty replacement.

KusaKusa · Dec 16, 2023

The leather grain is normal. That variation is a characteristic of full grain leather (topmost skin) that has very little correction, paint, and plastics applied to the surface. It means natural differences between hides and wrinkles from natural wear and handling show more prominently. It's actually rare for leather of this quality and light processing to be used in cars because it's pretty sensitive, and it's usually only seen in high luxury cars like Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley, etc. It's what I'd expect from a top tier leather supplier like Bridge of Weir.

The circles are a bit odd though. I don't think it's a problem with the leather but maybe due to adhesive below the surface or overexposure of the surface to a heat gun or hot surface or something.

Nick in Sydney · Dec 16, 2023

KusaKusa said:
The leather grain is normal. That variation is a characteristic of full grain leather (topmost skin) that has very little correction, paint, and plastics applied to the surface. It means natural differences between hides and wrinkles from natural wear and handling show more prominently. It's actually rare for leather of this quality and light processing to be used in cars because it's pretty sensitive, and it's usually only seen in high luxury cars like Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley, etc. It's what I'd expect from a top tier leather supplier like Bridge of Weir.

The circles are a bit odd though. I don't think it's a problem with the leather but maybe due to adhesive below the surface or overexposure of the surface to a heat gun or hot surface or something.

Yes, agree. I wondered whether the circles are glue delaminating underneath or something similar. I actually quite like the grain.

Hell4Leather · Dec 17, 2023

Nick in Sydney said:
Yes, agree. I wondered whether the circles are glue delaminating underneath or something similar. I actually quite like the grain.

It’s wrong either way. Noticeable and should be corrected at dealer cost. I wouldn’t wait. Make formal note of it now even if it’s months before replacement

RoryBellows · Mar 5, 2024

I prefer heavier grain leathers but those spots do look a bit odd.

seriously · Mar 5, 2024

Is it full grain leather? I would be surprised if it is.

1swift1 · Jan 3, 2025

Re-igniting this thread with my own leather issue/question: take a look at the small piece below the driver's gauges. It's a different appearance (wrinkly). Wife is bothered by it, and I now see it, too. Should I ask the dealer when I bring it in for service as a warranty issue or is this "normal?" The rest of the dashboard looks smooth.

Is this a leather defect?

Nick in Sydney

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