3000teeth

How much Leatherique do I need to turn an old leather sun-hardened cork-colored dash black? Will it look the same color if I just go with the standard black or should I color-match? How much rejuvinator oil or super prepping agent should I use beforehand/afterward? And, what's the best thing to use to get the gooey black stuff from the windows off the leather without harming it?

Thanks in advance. -T

DonS

If it's that cracked then probably 3-4 treatments. Use lots of towels after the cleaner; best to apply/work in the oil with your bare hands.

I'm assuming that you're talking about dyeing; the Leatherique by itself without the dye won't change the color from the original.

3000teeth

It's not cracked at all --unbelievable for a 30 yr old dash.

Yes, the dye, but also the prep agent.

Also, How many ounces would you say I need for 3-4 treatments?

Thx -T

DonS

If you're only doing the dash then one bottle for the whole dash. If you're doing the whole interior then at least two.

Marine Blue

Agree at least two bottles for the whole interior. I would get the Prestine Clean and Rejuvenator oil, in combo they work very well and two applications will often revive harder leather. Don't expect miracles though, really hard leather will need to soak in the stuff and you will definitely want to apply it on a hot sunny day and leave it on for a two to three days.

Good luck and take some before/after pics!

Hilton

Just to add to this, I've found that using a couple of cheap spray bottles helps for applying the rejuvenator oil and the prestine clean. Gives better coverage, and also lasts longer. Use your hands to massage the "oil" in as you go.

Another tip is to lay ceran wrap (aka "cling film" in the UK, or
"glad wrap" here in Oz) over the leather once you've applied the oil - to reduce evaporation and raise surface humidity to encourage the leather to open its pores.. then leave for a few days like Marine says.

Bill Ball

If the leather is cardboard dry and hard, it can take 5 or 6 treatments over a couple of momths to soften it up. So, don't give up if you don't notice much response to the first few treatments. Lexol leather conditioner is also very good in this regard. I used it on my 66 Vette's leather seats in the mid-80s and it did perform a minor miracle reviving the hard leather when slathered on every couple of week for a few months.

anonymousagain

Bill, how do you deal with the "window residue" from frequent applications? are you using the cleaner shortly afterward rather than allowing the oil to soak in??

Been using it on the Blue Car about every 3wks, but it seriously goops the windows once the sun heats them up (like Leatherique recommends).

Bill Ball

Sorry, I never noticed a window residue other than the typical one that any window cleaner removes.

3000teeth

So the process would be:

1. Rejuvinator oil or Lexol for several treatments over time. (so maybe a 32oz bottle?).

2. Pristine clean for a couple treatments (16 oz bottle?).

3. Leatherique dye for several treatments (16 oz?)

Any comment on whether or not I need to color-match black or what's needed to get the window goo off?

Thx.

3000teeth

btw: the window goo I'm speaking of is the stuff that keeps the window in. I, unfortunately got some on the dash when I pulled the window bolsters out.

anonymousagain

...maybe it's just all the crap getting pulled out of the leather??, but it's almost like getting smoke reasidue gunked up after ~4days in the sun. Hmmm.

Bill Ball

The conditioners MAY darken the color, but if you are going black dye, that's not an issue.

RyanPerrella

and to the above 3000 teeth, you can do multiple applications of the rejuvinator and cleaner but you only need to apply the dye one time. You will probably do a couple coats but you should only have to do this once.

And dye it only after you are satisfied with the texture of the leather. If you think its still too hard and dry then keep moisturising it till its where you want it. Then clean it and dye it. But again, you should only need to dye it once. If dye went away every year no one would use it. Its supposed to be a permanent solution.

928fan4life

I was looking into some of this stuff as well. What is the best way to apply the dye so you don't see any swirls or lines from an applicator? Can you use the leather dye on vinyl?