Weissach

I just have to share a make another small contribution . I've done many 928 restorations with leatherique. But it just doesn't hold up well to wear. Compared to the SEM stuff, it's just a less developed product.

1. SEM Colorplus is nicer to use 2. Has no odor(leatherique smells a little like crayons, especially on hot days). 3. Much more durable. 4. Leaves the leather feeling like leather(Leatherique leaves the leather feeling like vinyl). Doesn't get sticky on hot days like leatherique. The list goes on and on...

SEM doesn't sell crack filler like leatherique does. But you can use it as crack filler if you use allot of it. Unlike leatherique's crack filler(wich by the way...cracks itself!!), it will not crack.

I don't like to bad mouth any product. But the difference is just so large, it must be shared....

I did two pair of seats. One pair in Red, the other in Black.

Weissach

Some more "after" pics.

MrLexse

Wow. Those results are impressive.
Do you select from among their available colors, or do they match a dye to a manufacturer's color? (I would like to touch up the drivers side bolster only). Thanks

cfc928gt

What an unbelievable difference!!! How is the application between the two products different? How did you apply the dye, wipe it on or spray? Looks fantastic!

IcemanG17

So did the burgandy seat get changed to the brighter red? Or did the black seat (which looked pretty good to start with) change to red? The burgandy seat was pretty worn....those cracks were pretty deep....

Weissach

The red seat got changed to black(first set of pics). I refreshed the already red seats on my car(second set of pictures). Those were also pretty bad also(don't have before pics of those).

SEM has local shops do the mixing for colors(they have a list of approved shops in their website).

http://www.sem.ws/category.php?category_id=35

Where to get in your area, search in supplier search: http://www.sem.ws/where_to_buy.php

heinrich

You can't be serious. I've used Leatherique with great results for years on mny cars but I don't think I could get the results you show here. Please give us a detailed write-up of your procedures, I will absolutey buy the SEM stuff if I can work the miracle you show.

Bill Ball

I use Leatherique Prestine cleaner and Rejuvinator oil and like them a lot. The Prestine cleaner is real nice for cleaning leather, vinyl, and rubber. I just about get the whole interior clean with it.

I have not used their refinishing products other than I have used their color dye as a wipe with a cloth to revive tired looking seats. It did a nice job with this kind of simple wash application, filling in surface cracks and evening out the color. This was not a complete refinish or color change, like you did.

Did you take the old dye off first and do any sanding and filling? It doesn't appear so. The old finish is not bad to begin with, just a lot of fine cracks on the bolsters you show, and not much damage elsewhere.

How did you apply the dye? Wipe? Spray? Spray and wipe?

Weissach

Leatherique Rejuvinator oil is good stuff, but it smells.... I don't like the smell of it at all and makes whatever car it's being used on smell old and funky.

The cracks were VERY deep. Most of the old dye was removed with acetone. Then the leather was sanded down. Before starting the dyeing process, it's important to use SEM's leather prep. This is a weird product, but it works. Then after that, it's like body work on a car. Build up, sand down. Over and over(A light brush was used). Until it's perfect...


I also discovered something very interesting. 928 leather VS 911 Leather. The 928's leather seats are VAT dyed, the 911's seats are not(they are the painted type). So, even though they look similar, the leather qualities are completely different. Porsche offers this option on their new Porsches, it's called "Natural Leather"(It's a $4,825 option). It's no wonder the 928 costs so much when new...

Bill Ball

Weissach:

Thanks for the follow-up. Good info. More questions now.

When you sand, how do you get back the surface texture or is that not an issue with the seats?

How do you keep from filling the perforations?

IcemanG17

So thats what the "Natural Leather" is.... I knew 928's were VAT-rolled-dyed vs the spray painting of today.... Still amazing work....I plan on repairing my drivers seat this year...but I have such a large rip that I need to replace one panel & then restore-redye the whole seat to match! I got a quote for a local hotrod shop that specializes in high end leather interiors for about $400 they use Color-Glo products

G Man

The left side bolster on the left seat back in my 84 has some nasty cracks and a rip about 1.5 in long. Is there any hope for repairing this rip or is it time for an upholstry job? The rest of the seat upholstry is good.

IcemanG17

Jim
My guess is that was the drivers seat at some point and got switched out....since its on the left seat inside & won't get much wear there I would try the leatherique crack filler and a redye....if it was on the outside then I would get it replaced with new leather...since the crack filler will eventually crack, especially in a high wear area like the outside drivers seat bolster. Mine looks similar on the drivers side

Weissach

I could probably patch that up with ease, but I have lot's of experience. If I were you, I would replace that little section and redye the whole thing with SEM, NOT Leatherique.

FlyingDog

Those are exactly the questions I was going to ask.