My Stilo's interior has started to fade not on the seats but on the doors, I tried some foam cleaner on it but when it dries out it goes back to normal again!

It's annoying because i can see it out of the corner of my eye when driving because it's where my elbow goes when the sun is out

I thought about looking for a leather interior but then I thought it's too costly/time consuming so my next car will have a leather interior

Dan

Do you mean the fabric or the plastic ?

The fabric.

I guess if you're sure it's clean then it must be faded.

I've noticed the seat material can appear to fade if cleaned vigorously. Noticed this after a nameless individual sat in mine with a greasy backside Got rid of the grease OK but now the seat looks a little faded

This might sound strange but it aint fading its just 2 things slighty brush light directional like suede/velour. secondly dont bother with cleaners just a good vacuum this fabric holds dust,skin,fabric on the top which is good cos it wont get ingrained in fibres which will stink and look really grubby over time.
If ur not careful ul stain it in the fibres.

After a long drive you can see where my elbow has been. I was goind to try one of those brushes you use for taking lint off trousers.

I see another obvious problem... the window being down!

I'm told that UV light is blocked by glass. Hard to believe, since things still fade inside the house, etc. but if we assume for a moment that *some* of the UV light is blocked, that means that with the window down, fading will be at a maximum. What do the rear doors look like in comparison (if there are any rear doors...)

Of course, I think in NZ we have harsher sunlight than in England My Tipo's blue velour door trims turned white on top...

None of this is very helpful to you - sorry - hey I have yet another criticism - resting an arm on the door is not a good idea if the window airbag were to deploy

Ummm... yes, so a stiff brushing and then sell the car perhaps?

FWIW, leather isn't perfect either as I think the door trims are vinyl, and mine has a small nick out of it near the handle.

-Alex

on faded velour you can spray some oil based product on to give it that wet look which is darker, even tyre shine works. just dont over do it or the velour will feel greasy.

Must admit both the front seats in mine look a little past it And the trouble is the covering on the seats are damn expensive to replace from fiat I have been looking for a decent set of seat cover but havn't had any luck as of yet shame I had to sell my bucket seats I really wanted them in my stilo [DAMN YOU BLOODY AIRBAGS ]

PNL said:

....I have been looking for a decent set of seat cover but havn't had any luck as of yet...

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LIDL have come up with some reasonable sets but they don't fit the fancy sliding rears on the 5 door so I've always ended up taking them back

Is there not a commercial preparation that can be used to spray the fabric?

Argonought said:

LIDL have come up with some reasonable sets but they don't fit the fancy sliding rears on the 5 door so I've always ended up taking them back

Is there not a commercial preparation that can be used to spray the fabric?

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I purchased a set of seat cover from Lidl when I put up the list of stuff on offer the other week and to my disbelief despite actually having the stilo on the fitting list on the package they didn't fit and not just the rears either the fronts also didn't fit most disappointing

I have noticed my elbow leaves a mark, just thought this was skin/compressed fabric, not really thought it to be an issue

Big Black Stilo said:

I have noticed my elbow leaves a mark, just thought this was skin/compressed fabric, not really thought it to be an issue

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Only an issue if u go overkill with it

hi dan,
hmmmm, i've just got an 02 5 dr 1.6 in grey with blue interior and hadn't noticed before but the passenger seat is definately fading in the centre seat area.

..a mate suggested dye...not sure that's a good idea if someone gets in with pale dress/trousers on

TBO I have thought about the dyeing of my seats and door cards my self it is possible to do it and it wont come off[so my missus says] I hate the blue interior of my car much rather it were black :yum: the coverings on the seats do come of so its a doable job :idea:

hey PNL...what dye does your missus recommend for non-staining?

i was gonna do it in-situ...the covers come off???? what about the airbags?

well, i suppose the covers will have to be rinsed of excess dye....

let me know how it goes eh!?!

good luck

fazerette said:

hey PNL...what dye does your missus recommend for non-staining?

i was gonna do it in-situ...the covers come off???? what about the airbags?

well, i suppose the covers will have to be rinsed of excess dye....

let me know how it goes eh!?!

good luck

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She said we need a colour fast dye that can either be soaked in a cold wash or added to a machine wash ask at any store where you can but these dyes and follow the instructions absolutely and yes the covering on the seats do come off as they are held in place by a draw string and series of clips I am sure Decks reported this in his "HOW TO DO" airbag bum on seat pad change I found this out when I took the drivers seat one day when looking for ways of using the sub-frame of the drivers/passengers seats and fitting them to bucket seats and before you ask NO I didn't manage to fit the bucket seats DAMN AIRBAGS in the seats