Leatherique project on my 84 Targa (pictures and progress)

[_Remi]

Hi all,

My seats were very dry and old looking, I decided to give them the whole Leatherique treatment: cleaning, wetsanding, re-dying. My interior is grey-beige, I checked here (thanks guys) as well as with the option code. I ordered a kit with rejuvenator, pristine clean, prepping agent and an OEM Porsche dye.

Here are the seats before I started:



Applying the oil:



Cleaning the oil with Pristine Clean:




More oil

[_Remi]

Next step: sanding!



Applying some crack filler, a lot of the cracks are gone already:



Poking to make sure I don't lose them:

[_Remi]

Starting the dye process, it looks like a disaster at first:

[_Remi]

After 30 minutes, I apply a second coat, it starts to look better but ... the color does not match at all!

[_Remi]

Am I doing something wrong?? I ordered OEM grey-beige and here is what it looks like so far:

[uwanna]

The only way to get a correct color match is to use their color match service and send them a small piece of your leather, clipped from a place where it hasn't been faded by exposure to the sun. (door panel, rear deck, etc)
I ordered a supposed Porsche color (Cashmere beige) and like your experience, it was nowhere near the original color of my seats. Luckily I only ordered a small sample bottle.

[_Remi]

Here is the distaster...

[uwanna]

Don't be too down hearted. You certainly can rescue the job without too much drama.
You've already done the most difficult part of the job. I would contact the supplier and plead your dilema. You could send them a leather sample scrap and get a correct match. You then would only need to do a scuff of the surface and apply the correct color. I've seen folks change the color of their seats from a darker to lighter color, and the surface looked just like new, with no "bleed thru", and the color lasted a long time. Sucks I know, but i'm sure you can get it right!

[_Remi]

Originally Posted by uwanna

Don't be too down hearted. You certainly can rescue the job without too much drama.
You've already done the most difficult part of the job. I would contact the supplier and plead your dilema. You could send them a leather sample scrap and get a correct match. You then would only need to do a scuff of the surface and apply the correct color. I've seen folks change the color of their seats from a darker to lighter color, and the surface looked just like new, with no "bleed thru", and the color lasted a long time. Sucks I know, but i'm sure you can get it right!

My dad is flying all the way from Europe so that we can take a small trip here in California. He is excited to drive the 911, I did my best to have it ready and super clean for him. Now I have a seat prepped and full of crack filler while the other one has two different colors on it...

[_Remi]

... and he arrives in 10 days.

[_Remi]

Hi friends,

Customer service at Leatherique has been great, they are doing the best they can to provide me with a sample so that I can be ready on time for when my dad arrives

I'll keep you posted!

[1979911sc]

You could always go to a local auto body supply shop or shoe shop and they should be able color match a die for you. Just bring them in a piece of the original leather like a knee pad or ashtray that should be too faded.

[scottb]

Originally Posted by _Remi

... and he arrives in 10 days.

And if the seats aren't ready when he arrives, go your local FLAPS, buy a set of cheap seat covers, and go have fun. Don't let the dye problem on the seats stop you from having quality time with your Porsche (oh...and your dad, too).

My $.02.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by _Remi

Hi friends,

Customer service at Leatherique has been great, they are doing the best they can to provide me with a sample so that I can be ready on time for when my dad arrives

I'll keep you posted!

I just experienced the same issue with Leatherique and I am now the proud owner of 16 oz for Porsche Champagne leather dye that has a pink hue to it and does not match my seats at all...
Just tried calling them but the phone went to VM.
Did you get your seats done in time for your dad's visit?

[yelcab1]

I have done this twice and even after sending in the sample, the dyes did not match the color 100%. I ended up redying the whole interior to match in one case, and resending in the dye again for another match in the second case (and it came back closer but not perfect). After a few months, they become closer of a match, but not a perfect match.

[_Remi]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

Did you get your seats done in time for your dad's visit?

Yes, never had time to update this post but I received a new dye and was able to finish it up on time!

By the way, my dad's name is Gilles and he also drives an 86 911

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by _Remi

Yes, never had time to update this post but I received a new dye and was able to finish it up on time!

By the way, my dad's name is Gilles and he also drives an 86 911

Glad it all worked out for you.
Leatherique's customer service also worked out for me and they sent me the right dye at no charge.
Say Hi to your dad from Gilles and his 86 cab!

[Stutzdriver]

Just a note to say I did the seats on my 1984 944 a couple of years ago and the match was right on. Gray Beige...I still have the dye and I just bought a 1984 911 with the same color interior, I need to do the side bolsters and oil up everything to soften the leather.

The rejuvinator oil/prestine clean is an amazing product set that has softened some of the driest leather in pre-WW2 cars.