Restoring seat color

[Ashley Bowler]

Any suggestions on how to get black leather seats back to the deep black that they originally were?

I've used Lexol, and it seems to keep them well conditioned, but not darker.

My concern with dying them is that it might give them a real artificial look. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

[rusnak]

Hey Ashley,

this was recently brought up. Someone uses a product recommended by Porsche called Color Plus, and provided a website. I've had good luck with Nu Life, a spray on paint for leather that dries quickly and does not rub off.
Leather cleaner

hope this helps.

[Diablo Dents]

I'm in search of the leather "rejuvenator" too. My seats are dry and I've experimented with Lexol conditioner and don't like it at least for old dryer leather. It tends to sit on the top surface rather soaked in and making it supple again. I work in the auto reconditioning field so I've been asking what works to re hydrate hard leather. From what I've seen and read first you clean the leather with a scotch bright pad and a Lexol type cleaner. Then lightly go over it with a rag and denatured alcohol. That removes any loose dye and old built up crud. The apply your rejuvenate product and bag your seats for a day. That way it penetrates deep into your leather. As far as the dye goes you need to get the color code and have it sprayed to the seats. I believe it's a water based dye. That way it will let the leather breath and still take up conditioner. I'm going to to these steps my self and share the results.

[Ashley Bowler]

Originally posted by Diablo Dents
I'm in search of the leather "rejuvenator" too. My seats are dry and I've experimented with Lexol conditioner and don't like it at least for old dryer leather. It tends to sit on the top surface rather soaked in and making it supple again. I work in the auto reconditioning field so I've been asking what works to re hydrate hard leather. From what I've seen and read first you clean the leather with a scotch bright pad and a Lexol type cleaner. Then lightly go over it with a rag and denatured alcohol. That removes any loose dye and old built up crud. The apply your rejuvenate product and bag your seats for a day. That way it penetrates deep into your leather. As far as the dye goes you need to get the color code and have it sprayed to the seats. I believe it's a water based dye. That way it will let the leather breath and still take up conditioner. I'm going to to these steps my self and share the results.

I look forward to your results. I can see where it could turn in to a real mess if one uses a scotch bright pad. Sounds like a job for someone with a lot of confidence and experience.

The spray paint...........is it manufactured for car seats?

[PSJoyce]

There's a product called "Surflex Black Leather/Vinyl Colorant", comes in a small can to paint on. They can also mix up a color matched colorant from a small sample of material that you send them. I used the custom color on my gray seats, and it worked great. It was a leap of faith to paint it on, but the results were excellent.

They’ve also got a “SOFFENER” product, which I have not used.

http://www.colorplus.com/frameset_products.html

Paul

[Ashley Bowler]

Thanks Paul..........that looks like a great product.

[Sam Grant]

I used Leatherique on these seats, amazing results. These were dried, gray looking, and basically just tired. Took them out and redyed, they are still looking great a year later with daily driving. My Porsche seats didnt need the dye but I use the Leatherique rejunivating oil with their cleaner and its my favorite of many I have tried. (Lexol, Zymol, Zaino, etc...)

[mkimber]

Like Sam Grant, I used Leatherique to redye my front, back seats, and door panels in Dove Grey on my M3 daily driver. The leather was in terrible shape due to years of abuse my previous owners. It took a fair amount of time to strip down the old dye, fill the cracks, repair the splits, and rejuvenate the leather, but the interior looks brand new now. I consider Leatherique a first rate product.

[Ashley Bowler]

Originally posted by mkimber
Like Sam Grant, I used Leatherique to redye my front, back seats, and door panels in Dove Grey on my M3 daily driver. The leather was in terrible shape due to years of abuse my previous owners. It took a fair amount of time to strip down the old dye, fill the cracks, repair the splits, and rejuvenate the leather, but the interior looks brand new now. I consider Leatherique a first rate product.

Sounds good. The only part that throws me is the "stripping down" I could see where if you were doing it for the first time, you could make a real hash of it. Or is that part fairly idiot proof?

[Porsche_monkey]

My seats used to be blue, were then dyed black, and you can not tell unless you pull the leather back and look underneath.

I'm pretty sure the cow wasn't blue originally, so dye should work.

[mkimber]

Ashley,

I was extremely apprehensive as stripping down the old dye. In fact, my problem was compounded by the fact the one of the previous owners actually painted all the seats (what a knucklehead!). So I had to first strip off the paint and then strip off the original dye.

All of my fears were unfounded. I used Scotch Brite pads, 240, 400, and 600 grit sandpaper with Leatherique's "Super Prepping Agent" and some good old fashion lacquer thinner at times. The leather came out as good as new. The job would have been less labor intensive if I didn't have to strip off the paint first.

Leathique provides excellent instructions with its products and it has a pretty comprehensive web site. I just followed the instructions and tutorials. Even an idot like me would have a hard time screwing it up.

[Ashley Bowler]

Michael, You're a brave man. I think that takes cajones to rough up your seats with Scotch Brite, with the hope that they can be restored.

Based on what you've said, I think that I'll try it. Thank you.

I've put a scan of the seats up. They aren't ripped or coming apart, they're just dull and tired looking. Leatherique sounds like the answer.

[Diablo Dents]

It sounds like it will be great. I wouldn't worry about the scotch bright pad. It's no like you are using a wire brush. Leather is surprisingly tough. I can't wait to do mine too.

[rusnak]

You guys are insane. Would you wear a wool suit on a re-dyed seat? I don't know if I would or not, but I know that I have and do wear one on re-sprayed seats. I didn't even have to tear into them with a scotch brite pad first.