Leather Recolouring

[mikec]

Has anyone tried any leather re-colouring products that they would recommend? Not changing the colour but putting it back to its original colour. A site that had standard Porsche colours would be handy. I am thinking about this product http://www.liquidleather.com/scuffs.htm but would be keen for some recommendations before attacking my seats. The seats are in not too bad condition just need a touch up.

Also the colour description for my leather is "linen grey" (looks more cream to me), had a look around for this and it does not seem too common. I do see linen as an option, anyone know if these are the same?

Cheers,
Mike

[stepa1007]

Most upholserers do refirbishment kits.
The results are awesome. Basically they are just acrillic paint.

12 Years ago I got a burgandy wheel and boss refurbished for nearly 200 pounds. Another club member did his himself using acrillic paint.
Could not tell them apart - but he paid only 4 pounds

Stephen

[mikec]

Hi Stephen. Yeah, I guess I could check out a few local places and see what they say.
I did try a leather re-colouring kit on a piece of furniture I was going to throw out. It was a bit full on for what I want as it required stripping the finish of the leather, spraying the dye and then spraying a lacquer coat. I wasn't particularly happy with the result but to be fair the chair was probably a difficult object to do. I won't be using it on the car though. So a tried and tested product would be appreciated.

Mike

[Brett928S2]

Hi

The paint ones are ok short term but take my word you do NOT want to use them if you are keeping the car long term

A previous owner of my 928 used it on the door cards on my full leather and now (probably 8 to 10 years later) its all cracking and looking awful...and NOTHING removes it...

All the best Brett

[mikec]

Brett, see the Leather prep here http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Cleaners_Removers.htm. This is what I used on the furniture. I think it is cellulose thinner (not 100% sure), so you can pick it up cheaper anywhere. As I said before I wasn't happy with the finish of their dye but the prep/cleaning part worked ok so may work on the door cards.

Mike

[mikec]

Ok, been doing a bit more research and found this thread on a BMW forum.

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtop ... on&start=0

The results look good. Found another post on a different BMW forum and the the guy posted back several months later saying the results held up. They are using dynamix dyes. Think I'm going to give this one a go.

[clinchy993]

Scroll down to see the full story


http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=45 ... c&start=20


The kit came from the Furniture clinic I sent them a sample and the colour match is great

[mikec]

Hi Clinchy, looks like you've done a good job, well done. I used the exact same kit on the piece of furniture that I did. Did it as a test before tiring on the car really. As I said, to be fair it was probably a very difficult object to do. It was a lazyboy chair with lots of folds in the leather and difficult areas to get into. I was also changing colour from blue to black. The main problem I had was where the leather was touching in the folds etc. The dye does not soak in to the leather at all and sticks and comes off. The lacquer layer was hard also as the spray gun nozzle kept freezing. The end result was pretty good considering but I wasn't happy and chucked the chair out. I also got the feeling that the result may not last and as the dye is not soaked in at all patches of the original colour would come through. Although with a flatter and more even surface like on a car seat I'm sure the result would be much better and last longer. From my experience I’m not 100% convicted it is the best option for my car seats which are in not too bad condition anyway. Don't want to risk it. Anyway, good job, I know from experience it would have taken a long time.

Mike

[dnaxton]

I use products from this company with great results.

http://www.lttsolutions.net/index.asp

Regards
Dave

[Brett928S2]

Hi

I need to redye my part blue Momo steering wheel so have just ordered from here >>>> http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/c-108-fea ... ducts.aspx

They were extremely helpful and even sent out a colour patch to make sure I ordered the right colour....

The kit is enough to recondition 2 complete leather seats they say.....so should be able to do my steering wheel hundreds of times lol

I will take some pics when I do my wheel in around a week...before/after etc and let you all know how good the kit is.............

All the best Brett

[mikec]

Just thought I would post an update. I went with http://www.dynamixdyes.com in the end. I am very happy with the end result, seats look almost new. The dye was easy to apply with just a quick clean and then several sponged on coats of dye. They have all the standard porsche colours on their site colour chart. My only negative comment about the dye is that the small bottle was not quite enough for two seats, I had to order another. I did the seats one at a time, managed to get the second one done within a 24 hour timeframe. Here is some before and after pics.

Mike

[Brett928S2]

Hi

Wow thats a HUGE improvement

Well done...did the cleaning liquid take much hard work ?

All the best Brett

[mikec]

Thanks! Got to say it was a very satisfying job

Nope the cleaning took about 10 minutes. Just rub the gel on with a cloth leave it for a few minutes and wipe off again with a damp cloth, then you are good to go.

The other kit that I used on a piece of furniture had you using harsher chemicals, which once you have used you are past the point of no return as you would be totally have stripped of the original finish right back to the leather. Bit scary, but perhaps needed if you want to do a colour change or the leather is in a bad way.

I have only had it on the seats for a week or so, so I can't say for sure how long it will last. But I feel the new finish will last and at worst would only gradually wear out a little, not peel off or anything. It also feels like it is protecting the leather a bit from future wear.

[watchcam]

Hi,

What size bottle did you buy that was too small for two seats?

Also presume you did the rear as well?

Looks good, might well get some. Just had a result on the velour as well, so I might try to do the lot.

I notice they have a repair kit as well that could be useful. Have a tiny split in the bolster.

Thanks
Regards
Paul

[mikec]

I used about 1 and a half of the 65ml bottles here http://www.dynamixdyes.com/buy_dyes.php. That was just to do the fronts of the front seat, not the backs of the seats or back seats as they are leatherette and not real leather. I only actually noticed that after having the car for 6 months . Would suggest the big bottle if you are doing the backs.