Leatherique not really working

[RG5]

Hi there,

I have been saturating my seats with Leatherique rejuvenator oil
constantly all week - the bolsters in particular and the side of the seats seem to be soaking a lot of it up - but the head rests dont seem to have absorbed anything. Ive even left the car out in the sun to create a steam room.

Last night I used the Pristine clean on one side of the seat to clean off the remant oil.

The seats are navy leather (85 Carrera). I was seeing a lot of bluey-green grime coming off the seats, and am now thinking all this process is doing is removing the original navy dye.

I have yet to do a final buff up - I will tackle this tomorrow. But given the amount of oil I was expecting more leather softening to have happened. And I am concerned if this is dye loss and not just grime coming out.

Any comments welcome!

RG5.

[imcarthur]

I've used it several times over the last year on my navy blue seats with great success. The first time, a lot of crud came off. Almost a scum-like deposit before I used the Pristine. I don't remember any real color to it though. I got 3 doses out of a standard bottle of Rejuvenator - with just a bit left. I just have leather fronts & the rest is vinyl.

On subsequent useage, less & less crud but milky. But it does make them look great & it smells nice too.

Ian

[RG5]

I guess my point is is that if the leather is really cracked and dry, is there a risk that the pristine clean takes out the dye. The oil is definately softening things up a little - and I am seeing some white hazy residue coming out - I wonder if I just need to keep going with the oil, or have another session at if in a week or so.

[imcarthur]

I don't know. I got a real person when I phoned to order the stuff in Canada, so it might be worth a call.

I would give it a rest for a week & than hit it again. The instructions - I actually read them, not my usual routine - say to really pour it on around edges & seams - and probably actual cracks too - because that's where it can really soak in.

Is the color stronger - as if you Pledged them?

Ian

[RG5]

I can tell you when I got the car - and I know this sounds as though Ive answered my own question - I used navy blue shoe leather restorer to touch up general scuffs in the leather. This bodge dye job made the seats look a lot better - and it would not be unreasonable to expect this dye to come off - but I am wondering if the original dye is coming out, taking me back to raw leather, which isnt the finish i was intending to achieve.

[imcarthur]

Originally posted by RG5
I know this sounds as though Ive answered my own question - I used navy blue shoe leather restorer

Yes.

ian

[autobonrun]

I have not seen the rejuvenator oil remove dye. I know the oil works best during hot weather. Try laying off until summer, clean first with the Pristine clean, then soak the oil on and leave the car outside with the windows up. You should get more softening when the pores of the leather expand.

I always apply the Pristine clean before the oil and always just buff the excess oil off the seats.

Do you know if your seats have ever been dyed before or is this still the factory process? I know you can lift even factory dye if you scrub hard enough. Let the chemicals do the cleaning and maybe try not wiping as hard.

[Mysterytrain]

I've been to their website and read up on the whole process. I recall reading somewhere that another way to force feed the leather is to remove the skins and apply the oil from the back, unfinished side. I would guess this would be the process for very dried out seats. Can anyone confirm this?

[Wil Ferch]

I have an 85 with Navy Blue interior...please post specific parts numbers from Leatherique that you're using...they can't seem to tell me the number but sent me a Mercedes Benz "swatch" for comparison...very close, hard to tell.

Best to know the product ID you're using.....

Wil

[RickM]

Originally posted by RG5
The seats are navy leather (85 Carrera). I was seeing a lot of bluey-green grime coming off the seats, and am now thinking all this process is doing is removing the original navy dye.

I'd be surprised if it were their product taking the original dye off. In fact it's hard to remove the origianl dye with laquer thinner.

Wil: Have you considered www.ColorPlus.com ? They make an excellent dye product that is second to none in the match depart. It is more $$$ to custom match the color though. Worth a call to see if they will do an off the shelf navy.

[Steve 82SC]

RG5,

I ran into the same issue regarding the Rejuvinator Oil drying up. I called Leatherique and they suggested oiling the seats and then covering them in plastic to avoid evaporation and give the oil more of a chance to soak in. I re-oiled them and wraped them in plastic wrap. A couple of days later, I removed the plastic and used the Prestine Cleaner. It worked very well. I used one of those high-tech yellow microfiber towels instead of a terrycloth towel when buffing out the Prestine Cleaner to avoid taking off any dye. I was very satisfied with the results.

Steve

[RG5]

To update on this - i have now completed the Leatherique treatment process. The results have been very positive and the seats have never looked this good.

[Wil Ferch]

so what were your parts numbers / identifiers for Navy blue... ????

Wil

[RG5]

Wil,

I'm not sure what you mean - all I am using is the generic rejuvenator oil and the pristine clean products.

On another note - does anyone have an opinion on using the Pristine clean on the vinyl - door panels, seat sides and bases, etc. It seems to work quite well and after buffing leave a kind of OEM patina that looks more original than other interior treatments which tend to leave a more glossy and greasy sheen.

RG5.

[courtc2911]

Maybe you guys can help me out with reconditioning my seats as it sounds like you did a great job on yours!

Here are some pics of my seats. Obviously, the drivers seat is the worst. You can see where the leather is cracked and has even peeled away. What would be the process and products I need to fix these?

I have purchased the Leatherique Rejuvenator but not sure if I need dye also...

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks!

[rusnak]

There is an aerosol dye called "Nu Kote" or something like that. It is a dead on match for Porsche Navy Blue. I recolored my seats with it, and they looked new. I eventually replaced the leather after several patch jobs. The dye and patch jobs gave me about 7 years of almost daily use before I went with new leather.

P.S. I just looked it up. It's called Nu-Life Color Spray. Get #612 Navy Blue. It won't rub off or come off with leather cleaner or conditioner.

[fritzgator]

Will
I just did my 83Sc navy leather seats from a swatch i send them. the dye bottle has 505 written on the lid. The oil/cleaning regiment will lift out excess, unbound dye as well as the other contaminates.
My tip is, if you can, to spray the dye. i brushed the pass. and sprayed the dr. the driver side was much nicer looking.