I don't think this will help, but was this vehicle used by people
who were heavy smokers?  This could be your trouble.

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          86-SS Syncro
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
                                   92-Jetta GWC
            www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm   

On Wed, 13 Aug 2003, jesse and monica wrote:

> Well, I decided to try using just water with a little Dawn soap and a 
> brush. No luck...now my seat looks like someone spilled coffee all over 
> it....The more water I put on it...the more "Brown" juice that comes 
> out. I think it's the foam underneath that is making the seats turn 
> brown. Anyone else ever had this problem...the exact same problem? I am 
> going to rent one of those carpet cleaner machines this weekend with a 
> sofa cleaning attachment and see what happens...maybe if i just run 
> enough water into the seat and then suck it out...it will dilute the 
> brown stuff. Not sure that I could make the seat look any worse...If 
> that doesn't work...Im taking the garden hose and soaking the stupid 
> things....i'll wash them until they are clean if it's the last thing i 
> do!!! Sorry had to vent...never had such a problem before cleaning car 
> upholstery. Do you guys think that hosing the seats down will ruin 
> them? I plan on doing it in the morning and then setting them outside 
> in the sun all day to dry.
> I would think this would be ok. Any thoughts?
> Thanks for all your replies...you guys rock!
> later,
> jesse
> 89 Vanagon with one brown seat : � (