OK my new leather showed up yesterday, so I decided to just dedicate the weekend to getting that project done. As promised, here's how the front driver's cushion turned out.
Before - left side bolster worn and flat:
View attachment 230209
Here's the cushion after being de-leathered:
View attachment 230210
Everything's intact, just quite worn and pushed down:
View attachment 230211
After steaming - notice the seam indentations are gone and the left bolster is like new again:
View attachment 230212
Seat reassembled with new leather:
View attachment 230214
Like I said, it's like new again. Not only in form, but in feel too...it's nice and springy and firm again, just like it would be from the factory.
So yeah, IF your cushions aren't like ripped and seriously damaged, just steam them. I picked up a used commercial steamer on ebay for $36 shipped. Hell of a lot better than spending $200+ for two new cushions - and I was able to steam the seat backs, and the back seat too. Everything's like new again.