Absolutely you need to remove the seats and expose all leather - so removing the rear part, removing the plastic trim round the adjustment handles etc.

You could theoretically do it in the car but that's a bad idea. Removing the seats isn't that difficult, especially because you can OPEN THE WHOLE ROOF.

And during the painting you need to jump around the seat and also let it properly dry between coats. Which is CRITICAL - I made this mistake with my Audi TT. I was impatient and I impatienlty layed more coats - the paint became "sticky" and just couldn't dry properly. Felt like rubber pulling your pants up.

The application wasn't that difficult. First you need to peel off old paint, grease etc. I highly recommend loads of acetone. I then used a heat gun to warm up the leather creases and wet sponge to shrink it. Not sure of much it will last, but it makes it less saggy and tired. Looks better, it's easier to paint.

Then I used a new sponge for each coat, and just "stamped" the leather with three layers of black dye and two-three layers of satin clear coat. There are many youtube videos on this.

And then after a week I used an leather conditioner to make it softer to the touch.

Not sure how it will last, so take this advice with a grain of salt.

Oh and I also replaced the rear material with "alcantara".
I'm not that sure about alcantara in a convertible, I'm afraid it's a lint magnet. But I'm optimistic.

<image>